[su_heading style="default" size="28" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]How to improve concentration?Reading out stories[/su_heading]
All children naturally like to listen to stories when they are very young.
By the time they grow up a bit, they start reading on their own.
At this point, it is essential to let them read what they want.
You will see your child will take an interest in certain kinds of books.
When my son started reading, he wanted to read books about characters his age, basically children.
He never liked fairy tales and was bored beyond a page.
He was more into books that had modern characters, narrated life stories, and of course, had lots of pictures(that’s a constant).
My daughter, on the other hand, had utterly different reading choices.
She liked imaginary characters and fairy tales kind of stories.
Also, the sci-fi kind of books. So there was a complete contrast that I could see in their choice of books.
“TODAY A READER, TOMORROW A LEADER”
It is important to get them books of their interest.
Sometimes we get children books that we feel will be a good read.
But we don’t know how each of them think.
If we get them books that they like they will continue reading and not drop out in between.
This is the key. They should keep up their reading habits.
Reading books that interest a child is the best way to improve their concentration and attention span.
I used to start with books having more of images and few words when they were young.
I took time to describe the pictures so they want to know what happened next.
This is a habit you help them create.
Once they can read on their own, you don’t need to make an effort.
Just let them read what they want and they will keep reading for long…sometimes more than you expect and this definitely improves concentration.
[su_heading style="default" size="28" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""] Games like building house of cards OR Lego[/su_heading]
All children like to play games. A game like “house of cards” OR “Lego” requires them to build piece by piece, place each piece with proper balance, match the required pattern and do all these together.
So unless they focus they will not be able to do this.
Playing these kind of games gets them to focus automatically.
When they play such games consistently, they get into this habit of focusing on the tasks they are doing.
Not only concentration, such games need patience and persistence and coordination.
Have a weekend with your child to do this.
Initially the child might need some encouragement and want your company as he/she will tend to loose patience.
But with practice they will gain confidence and master it.
May try to build a bigger house with cards or another complicated game of lego.
As they go higher in complexity of the game, they will need to spend more and more time to complete.
This will result in better attention span and improve concentration.
[su_heading style="default" size="28" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]How to improve concentration?Structured drawing or painting classes [/su_heading]
Most kids usually like to draw and paint.
This activity will work towards improving concentration only when the child takes interest in this craft.
Unless he/she is interested genuinely, this will not make much of a difference.
But if you notice moderate interest towards drawing and painting, please enroll in a structured drawing class that teaches various forms of drawing and painting in a step by step structured process.
When there is a proper methodology, it involves easy to difficult pattern of teaching which children can follow as per their age and since they can do it, they will take interest and try finishing the task.
Activities like drawing and painting helps kids to do things with precision, neatness, accuracy and creativity.
This cannot be done without utmost involvement.
Kids also look forward to finishing a piece that they started.
When they do so, they love it to get some encouragement.
Have some of his/her creation put up on a wall, so that he/she feels like creating more and look at their own progress.
Once they get hooked on to a creative form of art like drawing or painting, they will sit for hours trying to finish the best possible way.
This in turn increases the concentration span of kids and they also learn to do things with perfection.
[su_heading style="default" size="28" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]Taking structured music lesson [/su_heading]
Music is a form of art that needs knack for perfection and precision. With regular music practice you can improve concentration in kids.
Music needs coordination of the mind along with playing an instrument or vocal or whatever you have chosen.
This also needs regular practice and passion.
But unlike other forms of art this needs willingness to excel and that comes only when the child starts, practices and excels with time.
It is a good idea to introduce a child to any form of music in early stage.
This way by the time he/she grows up a bit, the mind will already be tuned to a music form.
Playing any music form requires lot of coordination and esteem concentration.
Practicing music will enhance a child to keep at thing for longer duration and in a way teach them that quitting is not an option.
Practicing music under a good guide is also important to gain that interest.
Teachers can bring about great difference in your Childs learning.
If my child likes her teacher, I can see she is easily involved and concentrates and finishes her task before me even asking her.
So choose your child’s interest with care and after go through their interest in specific area.
[su_heading style="default" size="28" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""] Games that are one - one like TT or badminton [/su_heading]
One on one games like table tennis or badminton can enhance the ability to concentrate for not only children but also adults.
They are enjoyable, builds the body’s agility, contributes to individual fitness and stimulates the mind.
When all this happens together, the child has improved concentration.
Because the body and the mind is connected, this kind of games contributes to this connection, working towards a holistic development for children.
Additionally, it builds a mindset of healthy competition, sportsmanship and alertness in the child.
When they play such games constantly, they have overall improvement along with improve in concentration.
If possible, have your child enrolled in one such classes.
Let her enjoy and learn the nuances of the game along with building physical and mental strengths.
Sports can truly be a game changer!
[su_heading style="default" size="28" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]How to improve concentration?Repairing broken items [/su_heading]
Do you discard items that break or crack or leak?
Let rebuilt those items and ask our kids to do it.
Of course it will depend on the items and the age of your child.
Sharp and pointed items not to be used of course.
I once broke a spoon rest that was a favorite.
I was extremely heartbroken.
But my son, decided to repair it with glue and did it so perfectly that I can’t even see a crack!! Well done my boy!!
Repairing something needs immense concentration and patience.
Give them to your child and you will see how wonderfully they do it.
Not only you will save a buck or two from buying new ones but also give your child an opportunity to practice patience, concentration and perfection.
Apart from everything else, repairing gives a satisfaction that’s enjoyable.
Lets get back to the good things of our last generation.
Discarding stuff at the drop of a hat and not trying to mend things may make our kids a bit thankless I feel (my personal opinion of course and not ALWAYS true!).
Apart from focus they start valuing things around if they need to repair stuff.
[su_heading style="default" size="28" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]Playing memory games at least 20 minutes a day [/su_heading]
Memory games need the child to focus and keep repeating things in mind.
This allows them room for connecting to one particular thought repeatedly and consistently.
Every child should play memory game once a week I feel and not less than 20 minutes.
With a group things are more enjoyable and the complexity of the game increases.
They need to use memory power even better in a bigger group.
But I understand that’s not always possible.
We can still play such games within families and friends.
One of my friend used to play memory games with her daughter in the car while traveling in cabs and on weekends in the afternoon after lunch….we can have our own ways and see when it works out for us the best.
There are many interesting memory games you can try and see which interests you and you kid the most.
Some popular memory games are:
1. Shopping list – In this game you write down a list of items (Number of items will vary as per the kids age). The player need to read the list once and give it back.
Now the player needs to count 10 aloud( this is to have some time lapse).
The player now needs to name the items in the list in the same order.
If the player looses order or forgets the item, he/she looses.
2. Whats missing – Have a few picture cards displayed on a table.
Let the player see the cards and remember what each card represents.
Now let him/her go to the next room for a few minutes while you remove a few cards.
Then when you little player comes back let him/her name which cards are missing!!
3. Brain boxes – You can buy these games in various stores or online.
Kinds love brain boxes which come in various themes.
4. Color pattern – Draw boxes with various colors filled and show. Now ask the player to draw the same color boxes in reverse. You can decide on the number of boxes depending on the age of the child.
[su_heading style="default" size="28" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]Solving Puzzles [/su_heading]
Puzzles can be various kinds and they are a great way to engage a child.
My son got a simple wooden puzzles on his first birthday.
It had blocks of various shapes that could fit into small wooden poles in a certain way only.
The kid had to figure out which shape will go into which pole to fit properly.
I was so amazed to see that a one year old baby had so much patience.
He would try and try and try …. Till one day he fit it perfectly….I clearly remember how happy I felt with my baby’s success!!
That was the time I realized that puzzles can actually be a great tool to enhance concentration in kids.
Now my son is in middle school and till day I buy puzzles for him that are obviously more complicated and takes more time.
But this can also become an addiction at times as they just want to finish the puzzle.
So ai give it only on weekends at a particular time.
There are various forms of puzzles that also adds to the knowledge factor of kids apart from improving concentration levels.
Map puzzles are a great way to teach geography of the world.
Famous personalities, types of flowers, types of fruits and the list is endless….
My friend keeps a game of puzzle in a table to let her kid finish as and when he/she wants or when the time is right if it cannot be done in one go. Good idea!