One of the most difficult parts of homeschooling a preschooler is keeping their attention on their work. To enhance their development and make sure they succeed in school, parents should figure out ways to improve their preschooler’s attention span. This will help them pick up new concepts faster and retain more information. Here are a few tips.
Limit Screen Time
Some screen time is inevitable for most parents. But studies have shown that children who spend more than two hours per day in front of the television or a phone have a harder time paying attention. The blue light from these devices can also be tough on their eyes. Offer other activities like reading or playing games when they’re bored.
Play Focus Games
Short bursts of attention-driven games can help your child improve their focus. Something fun also makes it easier for them to pay attention for longer. Take advantage of board games, puzzles, and other activities that your child enjoys. Give them plenty of turns to draw cards, roll dice, and figure out where to place a puzzle piece. Be patient with them. If they feel rushed, they’ll lose focus quickly. Add these games to your homeschool curriculum to make learning more fun.
Keep Activities Age-Appropriate
If you give your child an activity, lesson, or game that is too advanced for their age, they will quickly lose motivation and give up. A trivia game, for example, won’t mean a lot to a six-year-old. Although it’s great to be ambitious with your child’s learning goals, giving them complex activities will often have the opposite effect of what you’re intending. They may even frustrate your child so much that they are put off by learning new things for a while. Start with age-appropriate games and lessons for short periods of time and work your way up.
Stick to Daily Routines
Establishing a pattern during the day can help your child be mentally prepared for each task. Create a clear schedule with time slots for different activities, such as school lessons, games, reading together, and eating. They will settle into this routine and be prepared to focus when it comes to learning new tasks.