What’s the secret to good grades in algebra?
If you answered, “focusing on algebra,” give yourself an A.
Focus is essential to kids’ learning; it’s so important, it might even best natural gifts as the secret to achievement. “School demands that students concentrate for long stretches of time,” wrote PBS, “and as kids get older they have activities that require even more concentration.”
Great — but how do you get kids to focus? They’re not naturally born to it. And there’s a whole lot of stuff out there (phones; social media; screens) vying for their attention. The secret is practice. And parents can help.
What can you do?
Schedule focus time
Focusing is easier when it’s structured. Put study time on the calendar; make it a set part of the day; and set an alarm to give it boundaries kids can anticipate. But also…
Schedule breaks
It’s true, kids need to learn info — but they also need to process it. Downtime helps them do that. “Kids that have regular downtime,” writes Akron’s Children’s, “are more creative, focused, energized, independent, can self-soothe and solve problems in innovative ways.”
Turn off devices
Nothing sinks focus like the chime of a text from a BFF. If you can’t shut down entirely, make sure do-not-disturb functions keep focus where it belongs.
Encourage mindfulness
Blazing through a task is never a recipe for success. Instead, encourage pacing. Fuel kids’ patience by reading short passages together and asking questions about what you just read.
Encourage one thing at a time
Effective multitasking is a myth. Direct kids to tackle one subject at a time and follow it through before moving on to the next.
Create a dedicated space
Carve out a spot that’s free from distraction. “Your brain picks up cues from your environment,” writes a Stanford article on the subject, “so a dedicated workspace will help you get into work mode.”
Clear away clutter
You know how productive you feel when you clean up your desk? Kids feel the same. “A cluttered workspace can make it harder to focus,” writes Stanford, “so it’s important to keep it tidy.” Amen.
Banish “loop” thinking
Loop thinking is what happens when you spin over an insignificant detail (“How can I make my book report cover look pretty?”) instead of the significant one (“I need to write the book report”). Prioritizing tasks together can help kids understand what matters and save the fun stuff for later.
Manage temptations
That gaming chair is just calling to them. Moving it out of eyesight is one trick (see, “remove clutter,” above); teaching self-control — the joy of putting off distractions until later so you can finish something important right now — is another.
Make big tasks smaller
You know those giant work projects with a million moving parts? They seem impossible, right? Same for kids. A whole book may seem unconquerable; a chapter in said book is a breeze and fuels a sense of accomplishment to do more.
A final note — include your child in the strategizing. Ask your child, “When are you at your most productive?” “When do you feel you learn best?” Helping them to assess their habits, skills, strengths, and attitudes launches the confidence and ability to plan time accordingly. And that will serve them well in the long run.
