All kids have trouble focusing from time to time. Some kids, including neurodivergent kids — particularly those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD — may struggle with focus more than others, to the point that it impacts their daily life.
Signs your child has difficulty concentrating
Not all kids who struggle with focus have ADHD, but there are signs all parents can look out for that may indicate that your child is having difficulty concentrating or may have a shorter than average attention span. These signs include:
- Trouble with academic performance
- Trouble with behavior in school or daycare
- Trouble finishing tasks they start
- Frequently losing interest quickly in their chosen toy or activity
- Difficulty holding a conversation or communicating effectively with others
If your child frequently exhibits one or more of these signs, they may struggle with concentration. If they exhibit any of these signs to the point of impacting their daily life, it might be helpful to talk it over with your pediatrician or a licensed pediatric mental health professional.
8 ways to improve your child’s focus
Some kids may be born with less of an attention span than others, but all kids can improve their concentration and focus over time with some consistent practice. Here are a few ways you can help your child improve their focus:
- Give them a reasonable time frame. Younger kids typically can’t concentrate as long as older children. Asking a child to focus on a task for an unreasonably long time will set them up to fail. Kids under 6 can usually concentrate on something for 5 to 20 minutes, so use that time frame as a starting point and work up from there.
- Designate a homework space. Using a multipurpose space for tasks that require concentration can make it harder to focus. Create a quiet, comfortable space for your child to do their schoolwork that has everything they might need to complete their tasks. Ask them to sit there and work for a set amount of time or until their work is finished before switching to another activity. This also cuts down on multitasking which can greatly impede focus.
- Build in breaks. Focus on a task can wane over time, so building in frequent, short breaks can help renew your child’s focus on whatever they’re working on. Taking a moment to shift their focus and recharge will extend the amount of time they can concentrate on a particular task.
- Practice mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness techniques like belly breathing and body scans can help build kids’ focus over time. These methods take consistent practice to work, so it might help to build mindfulness practice into your evening or morning routine, or use it as a way to get your kid into a focus mindset before starting their homework.
- Break big tasks into small pieces. Getting a list of instructions or a very long or complex task can feel overwhelming for a kid with a short attention span. It can be helpful to break tasks like these into smaller pieces. For example, if they need to make a collage for an assignment, you might first give them a goal of gathering all of the magazines and newspapers in the house. Then the next goal after a short break could be pulling out all of the pages that have pictures they might want to include. Then have them cut out the photos they like. After another break they could arrange the photos how they want them on their collage. Finally, you can ask them to glue down the pictures.
- Play focus games. Another way to improve a child’s focus over time is to play games that involve noticing their surroundings. “I Spy” is a classic focus game that lots of kids already know how to play. You might also play a game called “Slow Motion” where you give your kid a task but ask them to do it very, very slowly.
- Take sensory walks. Sight and sound are both helpful senses for strengthening focus. The more we focus on the sights and sounds of our surroundings, the more we can be mindful of the things that distract us. Take a silent “listening” walk around the house or neighborhood with your child and have them point to sounds they hear. You can alternate this with silent “looking” walks where they point out interesting things they see.
- Play turn-based games. Board games and other turn-based games can improve your child’s focus by promoting patience. It can be hard for kids who struggle with concentration to pay attention when it’s not their turn, so encourage them to continue focusing on the game while other people take their turns.
Practicing these methods frequently and consistently can gradually start to increase your child’s focus and concentration over time. If your child’s focus seems to be getting worse, or continues to impact their daily life, it might be helpful to consult with your pediatrician.
