Ready to Learn

Boost your child’s ability to pay attention

Children who have limited attention spans get distracted easily and don’t finish what they start. Being able to concentrate can help your child focus on her school work, persevere and learn more. To increase her concentration skills:

• Limit TV and video games. Vivid, fast-moving images cause kids to shift their reference point every few seconds. Some experts believe this shortens attention span.
• Encourage your child to paint and do puzzles and crafts.
• Play board games—simple ones at first. Then play games that require more thought—like checkers, chess or Memory®.
• Give her time to be alone to “putter” or pursue an interest. Don’t interrupt or join your child’s activities uninvited.

Reprinted with permission from the January 2008 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2008 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Lee Hausner and Jeremy Schlosberg, Teaching Your Child Concentration: A Playskool Guide, ISBN: 0-89526-394-7 (LifeLine Press/Regnery Publishing, 1-888-219-4747, www.regnery.com/lifeline/lifeline.html).