Year: 2016

Eye contact:
If you need your child’s attention, look him/her in the eyes and give the necessary instruction when you are sure you have his/her attention. You will be far more successful in getting the outcome you want.  Ask them to repeat the instructions to ensure they have listened to you.
Move:
Movement is one of the best regulators for the brain and helps to regain focus and attention. Let your child go fetch something, stand up and stretch or do a few jumps when concentration is starting to dwindle to fuel the brain again.
Put something in your mouth:
Chewing on an apple, carrot, rice cake or popcorn are healthy versions to use the mouth and crunchy chewing action to gain focus and attention. It however might drive you mad if you are auditory sensitive as you will be irritated by the chewing sounds. Chewing gum also works well, but sugars, colourants and preservatives are contra-indicative for good concentration.
Check your environment:
Reduce external noise and distractions to ensure the environment will make it easier not harder for your child to focus.

Limit TV or computer time.  It is passive visual learning only and impacts our children’s learning and development.  I got a great idea from a friend last week; my 8-year old play station time is matched with reading. For every book that he reads and writes or draws a short version of the story, he may play 30 minutes worth of play station. Creative solutions are necessary to lessen time in front of the ever popular screens in our homes.

Have an afternoon of water play. Use a variety of jugs, bottles, sponges, eggbeaters/ whisks, and water guns. You could even add in some different coloured ice blocks. Or you could explore floating and sinking objects so use ping pong balls, golf balls, sponges, corks, blocks, strainers, straws confetti, etc.

Games and puzzles are great activities to keep your children occupied and learning at the same time. Turn taking and sharing practised here are important life skills. Remember also to teach them to pack away a game before starting with the next one. It teaches organisational skills and reduces sensory overload.

Spend an afternoon building a secret hideaway or dress up games. These games will stimulate your child’s touch system and creative thinking.  For a touchy-feely game with a difference, make “goop”. Mix 1 cup of corn flour with 1 cup of lukewarm water. It forms an interesting liquid and solid substance that changes in your hands. It can keep children occupied for hours while stimulating the sense of touch. Also try “slime”: Dissolve 1 cup of green block of sunlight soap with 2 liters of warm water.

Get your kids outside to play!  It is good for their health and development.  The movement system facilitates a lot of learning and concentration.