5 Ways to Aid Concentration in Children

Children have visible cues that show their concentration.  It happens at school and at play; take a peek!

Signs like a tongue out, rocking, stillness, even a quickly moving leg can tell us that the child is focusing.  It’s important to know what it looks like when your child is concentrating so you can become aware of it and begin to aid that concentration.

Here are some simple ways to aid concentration in children:

1. Don’t interrupt.  A wise woman once told me; do not interrupt the focusing child unless you observe disrespect, danger, or destruction.  I always run over that checklist in my head before engaging concentrating child.  It can be a challenge for little ones to return to focus.
2. Set the stage.  Clear the clutter and prepare the environment.  Children can have a hard time focusing if there are too many distractions.  Get low and imagine how it feels to a child.  Remove the unnecessary.  Be sure the work or activity is complete, and that all parts needed are nearby.  For Montessori work, most is kept on a tray where all needed materials are right in front of the child.
3. Be aware of your influence.  In the most valuable concentration experiences, the child’s motivation comes from within.  Hovering or over-correcting can make the child feel less capable, or nervous about performance.  As parents and teachers, it’s important that the child’s process be about their needs, not our external expectations.
4. Only help the child when it is absolutely necessary.  Dr. Montessori said,  “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”  If you jump in to the rescue to quickly, the child misses the opportunity to concentrate and complete the task.  Waiting and observing the child instead of helping can ensure that he/she gets the chance to succeed. Standing back pays off, anyone who hears a child explain, “I did it!” knows the value and joy that comes with independence.
5. Follow their interests.  If you see a child concentrate on a task, be sure to provide the opportunity it again.  The repetition helps the child concentrate, gain skills and satisfaction.  And for us, we are still squeezing juice.

Jessie is a mother of three beautiful daughters (twin tots & a preschooler), an AMS trained Montessori teacher of 40 students, and a wife to one. Jessie has a background in dance, a yoga certification, and a Masters in Early Childhood Education. Jessie has a childhood education blog at http://educationofours.blogspot.com/.