Trying to get your young children to concentrate is certainly not an easy task.
However, it is not impossible.
In fact, with a few quick exercises practiced over and over again, you can start to see results in no time.
The key is to practice, and to practice consistently throughout your child's life, constantly reinforcing the routines and ideas for them.
By doing this, you will be helping your children acquire a skill-set that will help them beyond childhood.
Here are five simple exercises that you can start today.
1.
Reading.
You should be encouraging and giving your children lots of opportunities to read (if you aren't already).
For younger children, you should establish a routine of reading with or to them.
2.
Give children an assignment.
Depending on their age, your child can be given a task to accomplish, whether it's picking up their toys to helping you with a more complex chore around the house.
Give them a time frame to work with, a few gentle time reminders (example: ten minutes left, five minutes, etc), and once they've successfully completed the task, load them up with lots of positive reinforcement and praise.
3.
Use a calendar and/or planner with kids, and have them be a part of updating it.
Use the calendar to keep track of events, deadlines, etc.
Young children who cannot read will need visuals; however, most children as young as kindergarten can start using the calendar with words and phrases.
The calendar will promote organization and focusing on certain tasks or events.
4.
Lists.
For lengthy or detailed projects, or for anything where your child needs to complete a number of tasks, creating lists can help them focus on what they need to do without becoming overwhelmed.
For example, if your child needs to clean their room, you can break it down into steps for them (example: 1) pick up clothes, 2) make bed, 3) organize toys, 4) vacuum floor, etc).
A major task is made less daunting if you break it up into steps.
5.
Visualize success.
Have constant dialogue with your child about what kind of success they want to achieve in life (this will vary with age).
Have them draw pictures of the success they want and post it somewhere visible.
The more you and your child can articulate "success" and make constant reminders (by posting pictures), the more you plant the seeds of success in their minds and they have something clear and focused to aim for in life.
You can tailor any and all of the exercises to meet the needs (and age-appropriateness) of your family.
The most important thing to remember is to consistently use these exercises, because one time will not be enough to make a difference in your child's life.
However, it is not impossible.
In fact, with a few quick exercises practiced over and over again, you can start to see results in no time.
The key is to practice, and to practice consistently throughout your child's life, constantly reinforcing the routines and ideas for them.
By doing this, you will be helping your children acquire a skill-set that will help them beyond childhood.
Here are five simple exercises that you can start today.
1.
Reading.
You should be encouraging and giving your children lots of opportunities to read (if you aren't already).
For younger children, you should establish a routine of reading with or to them.
2.
Give children an assignment.
Depending on their age, your child can be given a task to accomplish, whether it's picking up their toys to helping you with a more complex chore around the house.
Give them a time frame to work with, a few gentle time reminders (example: ten minutes left, five minutes, etc), and once they've successfully completed the task, load them up with lots of positive reinforcement and praise.
3.
Use a calendar and/or planner with kids, and have them be a part of updating it.
Use the calendar to keep track of events, deadlines, etc.
Young children who cannot read will need visuals; however, most children as young as kindergarten can start using the calendar with words and phrases.
The calendar will promote organization and focusing on certain tasks or events.
4.
Lists.
For lengthy or detailed projects, or for anything where your child needs to complete a number of tasks, creating lists can help them focus on what they need to do without becoming overwhelmed.
For example, if your child needs to clean their room, you can break it down into steps for them (example: 1) pick up clothes, 2) make bed, 3) organize toys, 4) vacuum floor, etc).
A major task is made less daunting if you break it up into steps.
5.
Visualize success.
Have constant dialogue with your child about what kind of success they want to achieve in life (this will vary with age).
Have them draw pictures of the success they want and post it somewhere visible.
The more you and your child can articulate "success" and make constant reminders (by posting pictures), the more you plant the seeds of success in their minds and they have something clear and focused to aim for in life.
You can tailor any and all of the exercises to meet the needs (and age-appropriateness) of your family.
The most important thing to remember is to consistently use these exercises, because one time will not be enough to make a difference in your child's life.