How to Help Your Child Focus at School

Your child's lack of focus at school can impact his potential to learn and achieve good grades. Whether it's resulting from boredom, a short attention span or a poor diet, there are many reason why your little one cannot concentrate. Helping your youngster get the most out of his education and learn focusing skills in the classroom can be difficult, but by working together, it's likely that his ability to pay better attention can improve.

Instructions

1

Prepare a healthy breakfast for your child daily. When children skip breakfast, they are likely to have attention problems in the classroom. Skipping breakfast, the most important meal of the day, can result in a child's slower memory recall, and an increase in academic errors. Provide your little one with a healthy breakfast, as this will enhance his mood as well as his academic success.

2

Schedule a conference with your child's teacher. Before trying to help your child solve the focusing issue, it may be helpful to understand the possible reason for his lack of concentration. Consider his teacher as your partner, and together determine possible concerns. Is he sitting next to friends who are too distracting? Is he having a difficult time understanding the academic content? Is he bored? Discuss ways to modify things, such as moving his desk to a less distracting area, or getting him a tutor if the material is challenging. After the conference, talk to your child about his reasons why he can't focus in class. Instead of lecturing him or getting angry, ask him for solutions to the problem, and understand that it may not be entirely his fault.

3

Don't allow your child to eat foods that disrupt his mental focus. Foods that are high in carbohydrates, or have refined sugar or corn syrup, can make your youngster have difficulty concentrating in class. Avoid purchasing junk food and processed foods, as these items have ingredients that aggravate mental focus. Instead, stock your kitchen with fresh fruits and vegetables and whole-grain foods. Keep these items handy for when he wants a snack, and send him to school with these items in his lunchbox.

4

Have your child tested for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although your child's teacher or counselor may think he has ADHD, a diagnosis should come from your child's pediatrician. ADHD is a common disorder among children nationwide, and medication is also prescribed to children with the disorder. Although it's easy and quick, medicating your child may not be in his best interest. Speak with your child's pediatrician to determine alternatives and options in terms of helping your child's focusing issues.