Does Your Child Struggle to Focus in School Because of the Pandemic? These 3 Tips Can Help.
The COVID-19 outbreak has placed parents in a precarious position as they also face home schooling, work and their usual daily chores.
None of us, including children, signed up for anything that the past few months have brought. With the move to online interactions, including online courses as well as endless adult Zoom meetings, our attention spans and ability to concentrate have been compromised.
Children often have difficulty staying focused, and it helps to get to the heart of this problem. Lack of focus is due to restlessness and fear. And the antidote is to create a safe environment full of love, togetherness and freedom in the family.
It creates a strong foundation for them to become more receptive and appreciative of life. These moments of joy and anticipation become nourishment for your heart and nourish your soul and thus increase your happiness.
They would always look forward to returning to the safety of their own home, and parents can do the following:
1. Invest time with your children every day
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A few minutes a day can go a long way. It can be spread over breakfast, dinner and bedtime. Because you know your child best, they will enjoy choosing activities that they enjoy and doing them together. It doesn't matter whether you cook, paint, read them a book or have stories told.
Be creative with it! This is a unique opportunity for you to get in touch with your little ones and get them involved in activities. Some more examples could be:
- Play the game of secrets.
It can be a couple of times a week or even daily. Basically the purpose in this game is to build trust and a bond with your child. They both share a secret at the same time.
For example, the parent randomly initiates the game and shares a secret or mistake they recently made. The child, in turn, can also share a secret. It could be something they did in school, e.g. B. left a zoom class earlier than usual.
The key, however, is to be completely free of judgment and simply listen to the child's secret without teaching them about it.
This mutual sharing creates a deep bond between parent and child. It almost replaces the bond they lack from being away from their friends and builds lifelong trust.
- Give them food for the heart
Those moments that you spend with your children with fun, joy and laughter become nourishment for their hearts.
While it may seem intangible, children will look forward to spending time with you and looking up to you later in life. This nourishment for the soul is essential to create an anchor for children.
Instead of constantly teaching or telling them to do the right thing, having fun and caring will naturally open them up and create inner satisfaction in your children. And those who are happier can concentrate better because of the feeling of fulfillment.
2. Promise them some fun activities
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Children love euphoria. Knowing that a fun activity is planned to start the day later will increase their focus and enjoyment. You will enjoy your school day with a positive feeling.
You can try new games and new dishes with them because novelty is the key to excitement. When parents keep their word, it also builds trust in the family.
You can also make “deals” with them encouraging them to finish their jobs so that they can enjoy fun activities afterwards. It could be baking cookies with you or building a tree house with her dad. Do what you can to keep her motivated and excited for the next day.
3. Be flexible
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During the pandemic, asking children to improve their grades can create undue stress for them. Instead, they can build their confidence by understanding them and advising them to do their best. Children learn quickly, in the right environment, and will gradually rebuild their skills over time.
It is not productive to expect perfection from them in a time of confusion and uncertainty. Work closely with them so they understand the importance of doing their best without adding any pressure.
This delicate balance will take time, but it is critical to your child's academic development. Be their close friend, mentor, cheerleading coach, and well-wisher. You need it now more than ever.
Final thoughts
It may not be easy at first, but as children start to open up and enjoy multiple moments throughout the day, you will also learn to commit to this new life. It's worth a try.
Kids will adapt and things will be better in the future, but for now online school is what we have. Overall, children should know that their home is their happier, safer place, one that is full of attachment, joy, and trust.
If this is missing, a child will neither enjoy learning nor be at home. Food for the soul is the essential ingredient to increase concentration.
As parents, we can help them through this time of uncertainty and our patience can help them flourish in all aspects of life.
The fact that you are reading this article only shows your willingness to increase your children's wellbeing. If you want to learn more about how you can improve your parenting, here's some more insight.
About the author:
Komal R is a university professor, optician and Ph.D. Researcher since 2015. She writes regularly in the Os.me online community and takes great pleasure in imparting knowledge and wisdom of all kinds and making others laugh. 🙂
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