Children learn through movement and experiencing their worlds in a three dimensional format. Movement is the most important building block for learning, concentration, language and academic skills.
Please, please, please send your children outside as much as possible for play. Our children are movement deprived with a range of secondary health and learning issues. Although safety is a problem in our society, we cannot hide behind that.
Be creative!
Start a vegetable or herb garden with your child. There are endless sensory opportunities in the garden. If you don’t have a big garden, opt for pots.
Go for walks, to the park, go camping, go cycling, just go!
Dads, wrestle with your children, apart from bonding with them in a special way, you supply touch and movement input that feed and regulate their brains.
Encourage your children to particpate in sport. But obviously don’t push them so hard to perform that they lose interest and confidence in the process. I believe this defeats the purpose.
Although technology is here to stay and teaching our children amazing things – it is about finding a balance between passive learning through technology and active learning through movement experiences.
Category: Parenting
Tips for improving your child’s concentration
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.
