Improve FOCUS with these 3 EASY strategies

In their 4+ Assessments, your child will need to FOCUS for a long period of time. It could be 15/30/45/60/90 minutes! Yes I have heard of Assessments lasting 90 minutes!

Being able to focus, is therefore a very important skill to develop before going into their 4+ Assessments.

I heard the most naive comment this week.

‘Every child will get a place at the right school for them. They don’t need to be prepared.’

Ridiculous.

That’s like saying that you don’t need to prepare for a job interview. Just hop along, cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Without knowing HOW to focus, your child will likely NOT pass their 4+ Assessments.

Always remember that your child will be 1:100+ children, at some schools 1:500+ children.

Here are 3 EASY strategies to help you to improve FOCUS.

1. Get outside a lot more than you think.

As a society, we spend far too much time inside. We all need to be outside in the open air a lot longer than we most likely are. So when you can, get your children outside. You don’t need to plan anything lavish. Just go to the park, be in nature, go to a farm - see some animals, go to a pond/lake/canal. Being in nature is the best thing for all of us and 95% of us do not do this enough. Being outside does something for a child’s FOCUS. Studies have shown that our minds and bodies relax in a natural setting. This increases feelings of pleasure and can help us concentrate and focus more effectively, according to studies in the National Library of Medicine.

So whatever ‘a lot more’ means to you, get outside!

2. Lower screen time.

Whether we like it or not, whether we want to admit it or not, screen time interfere’s with our focus. Even more on a younger child’s focus. Screen time has so many negative impacts on our children’s young minds. There are thousands of studies that you can read up on yourselves if you’d like but just lower screen time. There are so many other things that your child can be doing. If you want your child to FOCUS, lower screen time - whatever that means for your child.

3. Drink more water.

Being fully hydrated means your child will be able to think faster, be more focussed, and have greater clarity of thought. Ensure your child always has a bottle of water with them and that they take little sips throughout the day. If your child goes to a childcare setting, remind their key worker to ensure that they stay hydrated. Young children tend to get lost in what they are doing and just forget to drink their water. They just need a gentle nudge. Most of our children need to be drinking far more water than they currently are. You will see a sharp increase in focus, the better hydrated your children are.

Focus is a skill that needs to be taught, practised and refined.

Your child will not just go into and Assessment and focus without practise. And if you think they will, you are wrong.