iPads, computers, smartphones, no matter how much they have simplified our lives, digital gadgets however have a tendency to be a distraction for our kids. Ever wondered how you can get your children glued to learning at home rather than spending hour on videogames?
No matter how much you erase the distractions from the surrounding environment, there is always going to be something to keep them away from focusing. Depending on the age group children can concentrate between 15 minutes to an hour as they grow.
Well, here some ways in which we can increase their attentiveness.
- Time the activity
In the time frame between starting an activity and completing it, the playfulness in children tends to divert them to little things around them. Either getting lost in their own imaginary world or simply tracing a birdie out of the window can seem more attractive.
Instead of allowing them their own sweet pace, allotting a specific time for the completion of the task will reduce the unnecessary time loss. This will build their momentum and prepare them for speedy work at higher levels.
- Thinking games
Games! You say the word and they are all ears. Any learning task can be turned into a game to make it more interesting. Let’s start with board games that offer fun family time with your children. Grab a box of ludo or snakes & ladders and gather your children around the table.
Word puzzles are not only a vocabulary and language enhancer but they allow kids to wear their thinking caps while solving crosswords or playing scrabble. Verbal games like ‘I spy with my little eye’ or on-paper games like ‘spot the difference’ can teach children to pay attention to intricate details.
- Rewards
You reap what you sow is a proverb we all have learned in our childhood.
Earning rewards for your hard work and determination is not just fascinating for adults but even for the young. Attaching small rewards like extra playtime or perhaps a chocolate to the outcome of the task will instil a working spirit in your kids.
- Breaks
Continuous learning can be mentally exhausting and can reduce your child’s productivity. Maintaining proper sleep cycles and engaging in physical exercises are a must to boost their stamina and learning power. It is important to allow them to take short pauses to relax and recoup their energy before they can begin the next task.
- Story time
Books have always been man’s friend. Connecting us with information from all over the world.
Science proves that cultivating a reading habit improves brain connectivity and empowers cognitive incline. Meanwhile children love listening to stories and appealing characters in them.
You know best about your child’ preferences. Pick a book for them or help them pick a book for themselves. It can be a classic fairy tale or an action comic. Begin by reading to them from an early age and eventually switching to them reading to you. This will prepare them for reading comprehensions and creative writing in the higher grades.