Have you tried catching a chicken?
If you have, you know the effort.
If you haven’t, then let’s say it tests you in different ways other than just your agility; it challenges your patience and strategic thinking.
Well, catching the attention of children is as tough, if not easier, than this exercise.
That its demanding is understating it what with their short attention spans and high energy. They’re ready to explode at any time.
Getting the children to calm down and follow instructions is like catching a cloud (why am I giving all metaphors using catching?)
They get agitated easily and their attention span is reducing at a rate which is both alarming and disturbing.
Reasons are plenty – from too much screen time, to not getting challenged enough, getting inadequate physical activity, unbalanced diet, and even irregular sleep patterns.
All effects of the modern lifestyle.
It’s not a lost cause if you decide to take the necessary action instead of depending on schools to do that. There’s very little help coming from there.
It may feel overwhelming but it’s doable. Just try these 10 steps and you’ll see the changes you can bring about in your super charged kiddo.
10 Practical Steps to Calm Children and Develop Focus
- Establish a Consistent Routine.
Laugh it off but believe me, having a schedule will solve more than half your problems.
Set a routine for the children. Regular times for meals, sleep, study and play.
The consistency will give them a sense of calm and security.
Don’t create schedules as per your convenience or your schedule. It’s for them so it has to be suitable to them.
They need their balanced and timely meals, their 8 hours of sleep, their outdoor play time, and a consistent study time to grow and develop.
- Limit Screen Time.
It’s tempting to hand the child a gadget anytime they’re bored. That will keep them busy and you get your few moments of calm.
But think about the long term impacts. Their brain is always in the overstimulated state. It will be counterproductive to their balanced growth.
It reduces their attention span and makes them dependent on them.
Set healthy boundaries. Use a timer to regulate the time spent on the gadget. Switch to books, games, puzzles or activities.
Let them figure out ways to engage themselves or get bored.
- Encourage Physical Activity.
They’re never too lazy to go out. So get them out of the house.
Doesn’t matter what excuses they give – tired, too much school work, etc, etc. – don’t give in.
Any form of physical activity is okay. Be it cycling, skating, sports, swimming, or just playing with friends.
It releases their pent up energy and refreshes and recharges them.
And definitely playing on the phone or console do not count as physical activity.
A dose of vitamin D, fresh air and breaking into a sweat is good for them.
- Provide Clear Instructions and Tasks.
Involve your children in various tasks at home. Give them chores. It will teach them about accountability, responsibility and provide a sense of connection with the family and home.
This will build their focus and channelise their thinking.
Break the task into smaller, doable steps and give them clear instructions. Following instructions will improve their retention and attention abilities.
- Create a Calm Environment.
Even they need a few quiet moments to collect themselves. Give them some alone time WITHOUT gadgets.
Get them to read something, or engage them in some activities like solving puzzles, building with Legos or blocks, painting, drawing, or even playing a musical instrument. These activities are relaxing and comforting.
You can introduce them to some soothing music like instrumentals or classical music.
Create such calming environments to help them cope with and disengage from all the dizzying and noisy activities of the day.
It’ll relax their nerves and provide the much needed solace to their weary minds.
- Reward Focus and Calm Behaviour.
Encourage them to adapt to these changes. They will resist it in the beginning and fight it passionately.
I mean, why will they want to trade running around or wasting their time with doing something productive all by themselves?
Be firm and consistent. Praise their efforts. Talk to them about the positive outcomes. Ask them about their experience or the changes they’ve felt.
It’s also a great way to bond with them. It gives you some quiet time with your child without shouting and fighting to get yourself heard.
- Don’t Encourage Multitasking.
Get them to focus on one task at a time. The little multitasker will have to wait for later.
No watching TV and doing your school work. Or no playing games on the phone during meal times.
The situation varies from child to child and in each home. But you get what I’m trying to say, right? It does not help with building their concentration.
Give them fewer opportunities to get distracted. Build on their focus and attention by encouraging them to work on one task at a time.
Gradually they’ll learn to work faster and more efficiently.
- Incorporate Breaks to Avoid Burnout.
Kids lead a hectic life these days. Their days are packed with school, extracurricular activities, after-school activities, classes, studies, and what not.
Give them a break. They completely deserve it.
Figure out a schedule where they get to take small breaks between activities. Let them get some quiet time to recharge, refresh and rejuvenate.
Overworking or constantly running from one activity to another can lead to burnout. It can cause them to lose interest and focus.
- Introduce Mindfulness or Simple Exercises.
Get them to sit quietly for a few minutes (start with seconds and then move to minutes).
You will see them fidgeting, rebelling, getting agitated.
It’s OK. But insist on that.
Whenever my class would get a little out of hand or hyperactive, I would often get the class to sit down and close their eyes while I counted to 100. Only then could they open their eyes.
Of late, I’ve started asking the children to either say the multiplication tables or recite a poem. Anything that gets them to focus.
Also, its distracting them from the reason for getting excited and channelising it into something constructive.
- Offer Nutritious Meals and Snacks.
Food. This plays a critical role in developing a positive mindset in the child.
Encourage them to have more fresh veggies and fruits. Replace those sugary, readymade juices and drinks with fresh homemade juices and smoothies.
Pack of small salad or some fruit in their lunch box. Prepare balanced meals for them and the rest of the family.
Healthy food promotes a healthy mindset. It stabilises the mood and increases the energy levels.
In conclusion,
Children will follow what the others are doing around them. They still haven’t learnt to differentiate the good from the bad, the right from the wrong. It’s your job as parent to do that for them.
Be the guide who shows them the right path, the teacher who teaches them the value of focus and attention, the leader who leads by example.
There are more than enough reasons to get distracted, even for us adults. Instead of blaming them or lamenting their lot, put in the effort to right the wrong now. Show them how to do.