I think all children have difficulty focusing and concentrating at one time or another, but for those children who struggle with this day in and day out, the implications can be far reaching.
When children enter the school system, especially if in main-stream classes, the expectations can be quite great and definitely include the ability to concentrate. Special education classes, while more adept at understanding this ability is difficult to master, tend to use creative methods to teach concentration and focus.
Thebehavioral dynamic of positive reinforcement should be used across teaching situations, but as a strategy alone, it may not be the most effective way to teach concentration.
A multi-disciplinary approach can (and should) be used and always match the child’s level of ability. Make your goals small and sequential, so you can enjoy progress and complete development instead of splinter skills.
Memory or games that require you to pay attention for more then three seconds are a great way to start. No need to find games from therapy catalogs or special flash cards, since you can use a standard deck of playing cards or visit a local discount store to buy board games. Consider the electronic games, as many children are naturally drawn to these (if your child stims you can use these asa reinforcer and limit usage).
You can buy special books and worksheets geared toward this skill, but you don’t have to. With my son, we work on focus and extending the duration for which he pays attention. Sometimes I have him pay attention to me, sometimes it is a bird flying by… no matter the scene I manipulate the situation to require and encourage he focuses just a bit longer.
This is especially true for my son when we play games as a family. While waiting for his turn, he will begin to stim or ‘zone-out’. This is why we play interactive games, where you are always engaged (Cranium games are too fun).
Team activities lend themselves to focus and concentration, since all members need to be actively paying attention and working together. Toobeez is a great tool for this also, since you can use it in groups or individually. You can use countless ideas and have children copy what you’ve made or alike; it’s only limited by your creativity.
I prefer and promote fun whilelearning through real life and this is oneeasy skillfor you to focus on.
Have another idea to promote concentration and focus? Share it below.
PDF 
