Struggling to get your child’s attention? Check out these tips

Is your toddler showing signs of hyperactivity? Or is s/he becoming more and more introverted? Well, in either case, you can safely blame it on the gadget in your hands. Why? These tech boxes are surely limiting our imagination while taking away our power to retain information. Don’t believe it? So, say educators.

According to Ms Nidhi Ghai, Incharge at Rhythms Kinderworld in Jalandhar, “To get the child’s attention, parents must give them attention. Hear them intently when they speak to boost their sense of worth. Never shun away the child when they are trying to communicate something because it makes them feel under-valued.”

Unsurprisingly enough, a common issue experienced by many kids today are speech-related problems. In most cases, there is no biological cause, but still children find it difficult to speak out the words. Why? Because no communication is happening with them at home.

In such a scenario, the common practice of giving the child a gadget in hand to keep her/him busy is quite incorrect. “I strongly advise against it, because children need to go out and play. If you are curtailing their play time and giving them a gadget instead, you are making a big mistake. It will only add to their frustration, lack of attention, inability to retain concepts and much more. It is even causing behavioural issues in students such as screaming and shouting. So, natural elements such as water and soil are the best remedies to ease out negative emotions which they may be experiencing,” adds Ms Ghai.

Suggesting some practical tips to help increase the attention span of kids, Ms Ghai advises parents to spend time with them and allow them the necessary exposure to the world. “It is no use being too protective or too giving. Maintain a balance in your approach.” Further to boost their concentration, she opines parents can opt for some home-based strategies. Like, using a coloured tape, make a straight line on the floor and then ask the child to organise utensils on it. That way, the sitting-time and attention span of the toddler will improve. Besides, you can ask her/him to count the utensils as well. “It works like killing three birds with one stone,” says Ms Ghai.

Additionally, parents must sit and revise what’s already taught in the school to children. This will help them become smarter and sharper. Encourage more hands-on experiences that will awaken the child’s sensory-based understanding.

Sharing how educators in other Apeejay schools try to help attention span of children, Ms Ritu Kanwar, Headmistress at Apeejay School (Primary Wing) in Faridabad Sector 14 says, “To ensure a child is following what is told to her/him, we maintain eye contact at all times while teaching. Moreover, we provide a set of simple instructions to monitor if children can focus and follow it.” Further if parents observe total inactivity or hyperactivity in kids, Ms Kanwar advises that they must not hesitate on taking medical help. Also, incorporating yoga and meditation in a child’s daily routine can be of great help.

According to Ms Komal Nathani, Headmistress at Rhythms Kinderworld, Greater Kailash – II, foods such as spinach, coriander, fruits, salads, almonds and walnuts can help brain power of children. “Ensure that the food looks and tastes appetising. If consumed in a balanced way, it can lead to magical results.”

Ms Nathani opines that setting a routine and breaking tasks into simple instructions can help the child focus on one thing at a time without any diversions. “Focus games, memory play, music and movement are some techniques we incorporated in our school to boost attention of tiny tots. Lastly, parents should bear in mind that words of encouragement and having a positive outlook goes a long way. So, lead by example and showcase good habits to them. Provide them a congenial environment for their growth and make reading with them a habit.”