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How
to increase your child's
attention span.
If school examinations
are round the corner, here are ways to increase your child's concentration.
Most parents
feel helpless in the company of overactive and restless children, more
so during the time of school examinations and special projects. ``Unwilling
to sit at the study table for more than an hour, how will my child pass
this exam?'' This is the natural panic reaction of many parents. However,
panic begets panic. Therefore, do not panic and concentrate on the following
ways in which you can help your child to concentrate on the exams.
What your child
should do
-
Set a Routine
Routine
is a must for everyone, more so for your child who is facing an exam. Your
child must have a special routine tailored to the examination timings.
If this routine habit is inculcated in the child right from the initial
years, he or she will be able to effectively meet the challenges thrown
up by life.
-
Have a study
table
People say that décor and furniture do not necessarily affect
concentration. But children are certainly more attentive in a conducive
ambience. If one sits at a desk, on a straight back chair, one is more
likely to be able to concentrate than when lolling around on a sofa. A
child lying down on the bed while reading will most probably fall asleep.
So it is best to sit at a table or a small desk.
-
Study for a
minimum of one hour at a time
It takes the mind at least 8 - 10 minutes to clear out other distractions
when anyone sits down to study. So once the child gets into the mood, let
the child be there for the next 50 minutes or so. Let there be no disturbances
in these sittings. Otherwise, the focus will be lost. Some children like
to study in the morning, and some late in the night. Parents should leave
this choice to the children.
-
Set a goal
It is important that you decide how much your child should accomplish in
one hour. Your child will only be too happy to achieve these targets
and brag about it.
-
Reduce distractions
If you feel that your TV viewing is distracting your child, avoid late
night TV or other forms of entertainment. You can even stop talking to
a friend on the phone for a long time. While sacrificing your leisure,
you must make the child aware of such decisions. The child should not take
you for granted. Moreover, you have to clarify that exam time routine is
not applicable to the adults.
-
Eat light meals
Encourage your child to eat light food along with juices and milk shakes.
Intake of heavy food is bound to make the child feel lethargic and lazy.
Let the child eat at regular intervals, not at one go. Ask your doctor
for a good brain tonic. Milk, fruits, cheese and similar energizers are
always welcome.
-
Be orderly
In
order to avoid clutter at the last moment, make your child organize the
study material well in advance. For example, sharpen the pencil and fill
the ink pens much before the exam. The child should have a head bath regularly
in order to have an alert mind. Let the clothes be ironed properly. These
are small things that will matter in creating an ambience.
-
Cultivate an
intense desire to excel
You have to impart a drive to your child, a drive to excel and come
out in flying colours. Therefore, as a parent, you have to make the
child focused. Teach your child to take keen interest in whatever he is
studying, not just for the school exam but also for the exam of life.
-
Faith in yourself
Never allow your child to indulge in self-doubt or worries. Let your
child be confident of his or her abilities, especially avoid last minute
exam-time preparation.
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