It can be hard to pay attention. We’ve all been faced with tasks that we may not feel passionate about and find ourselves staring out the window rather than doing productive work. Even children can have trouble focusing. Lake Forrest Prep, one of the Orlando, Florida private schools, has tips that can help you improve your child’s attention span. 

Pay Attention

Most people struggle focusing on a task that they have low interest in; just think about that big work project you’ve been secretly hoping you could push onto someone else. The same rule applies to children. When it’s something they don’t want to do, children will struggle to focus. Unfortunately, schoolwork can often fall into this category. A great way to encourage your child to focus is to simply pay attention to your child. Oftentimes, we call out from the kitchen asking if their homework has been done because we’re making dinner. Requests like that are easy to be ignored; stand with them, make eye contact, and ask them questions directly. By knowing what they’re working on is important, your child will be more likely to stay focused on the task at hand. 

Decrease Distractions

Distractions are everywhere. And while we make attempts to limit screen time, we often forget about two main distractors: hunger and fatigue. Before starting homework or any structured tasks, make sure your child has a healthy snack they can munch on. For fatigue, it’s important to remember that the brain often needs more of a break than we give it. After school, let your child relax before they jump into the next task. This will help their brain reset and focus, preventing burnout. 

Have a Routine

People thrive on structure. It simply makes everything easier. And when your day is full of learning new concepts, structure can help organize the seemingly endless overflow of information. When you create an afternoon routine that incorporates breaks, snacks, and even a little fun, your child will have an easier time paying attention when it comes time to focus. 

Practice makes perfect and that includes your attention span. Be patient with your child; the brain is a muscle and it can take time to retrain it to focus for longer periods of time. Once your child has the right routine, they’ll be ready to tackle their chores, their homework, or anything else life throws at them. To learn more about staying focused, check out the blog by Lake Forrest Prep, one of the Orlando, Florida private schools.