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Lack of focus: A guide for parents

Study Zone Institute May 9, 2023 Parents

Children with a lack of focus can make parents worry. While there are children who show off their good grades, scholarships, trophies and interest in continuous learning, others just don’t care.

Parents know their children have a lack of focus when they show interest in everything else but school. They play sports, video games, send texts, listen to music, watch videos and make posts on social media all day.

However, when it’s time to go to school, do homework, study or do anything productive, they become tired or sick. Here is a guide for parents to assist children with a lack of focus.

Address issues that cause a lack of focus

Children who show no interest in school need special attention from parents. Talking to children and finding out what issues they have is easier said than done. It is common for children to deny that something is wrong which is problematic for parents who want to help.

Instead of pestering children to talk, parents can perform actions which address the issues that cause a lack of focus. In this way, parents can restore any issues that may be affecting their children’s focus.

Motivate children to learn

In many households, there is a wide gap between fun time and learning time. Some children hear repeatedly that when fun time is over it is time to stay quiet and stare at a book. These children tend to dislike reading, doing homework or going to school because the experience is uninteresting.

Parents can show children that learning time can be fun. Start by downloading apps to play family games like Pictionary, Scrabble, Family Feud and Charade. Arrange weekly events that bring family members, friends and neighbours together. Include games that require knowledge of maths, vocabulary, science, social studies and other subjects. Children should be motivated to learn when they have fun doing so.

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Make distractions learning materials

Many parents see phones, tablets, computers and game consoles as distractions. These devices are commonly used during play time to interact with friends on social media, watch videos and play games. Children are asked to switch them off during study time.

Since the world of information for school can be accessed through phones, tablets and computers, parents must encourage using them with supervision. Also, when parents purchase video games, they should make sure to include some educational ones.

Provide a bedtime schedule and nutritious foods

Many children have a lack of focus for school when they do not get proper sleep or nutritious foods. In some households, children go to bed whenever they feel sleepy and eat whatever they like.

These children tend to stay awake until 3 a.m. and have a diet that mainly consists of fried foods, pizza and soda. As a result, these practices cause children to suffer from fatigue and a lack of focus in school.

Parents must ensure that children get at least 8 hours sleep at night and 3 balanced meals a day. Insist on a fixed bedtime and follow through with it. Provide them with meals that include fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, nuts, wheat and encourage them to drink lots of water.

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Seek professional advice for children with lack of focus

If parents have tried everything, but children still have a lack of focus, then seek professional advice. Some children may have mental challenges that cause learning difficulties. A delayed child does not understand the schoolwork in the same way other children do. This child may not like school because he or she feels frustrated.

The child may need instruction at school that uses images, audio, kinesthetic resources and interactive methods for learning. A child psychologist will be able to evaluate a child for a learning disorder and then further advise parents.

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