Are you looking for tactics to improve concentration in children? If so, keep reading.
1. Teach the learner listening skills (e.g., stop working, clear desk of nonessential learning materials, pay attention to the source of information, write down essential points, ask for clarification, and wait until all instructions are received before beginning).
2. When ideas are presented, have the learner listen and take notes for “Who, What, Where, On occasions where, How, and Why.”
3. Provide visibility to and from the learner at all times to monitor the learner’s concentration.
4. Minimize the number of instructions in each step. Provide the learner each additional step after the prior step has been finished.
5. Separate large tasks into smaller tasks (e.g., have the learner write an outline for a book report, then the first rough draft, etc.).
6. Make sure that the learner’s academic tasks are on their capacity and ability level.
7. Refrain from placing the learner in situations that require listening for an expanded duration of time such as lectures, assemblies, seminars, etc. Give the information for the learner through a recording or lecture notes.
8. Minimize distracting stimuli in and around the learner’s desk (e.g., learning materials in/on the desk, etc.).
9. Get the learner to take part in games requiring varying degrees of concentration (e.g., tic-tac-toe, checkers, chess, etc.).
10. Make sure the tasks required of the learner are appropriate for their level of development and capacity and ability.
11. Make sure that the learner knows the relationship between unacceptable behavior and the consequences that follow (e.g., failing to concentrate on schoolwork could result in low grades or unfinished work).
12. Give the learner fewer tasks. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the number of tasks over time.
13. Inform the learner when it is time to begin a task, listen to others, etc.
14. Provide one-, two-, and three-step instructions to the learner. As the learner shows success in concentrating, slowly increase the number of steps.
15. Consider using assistive technology designed to help students to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to concentrate. Click here to view list of assistive technology apps that we recommend.
