Chatter, reveries … Children sometimes have difficulty concentrating in school. How to react? In what cases to worry? … Stephan Valentin’s lightning, psychologist and early childhood specialist.
Stay seated and classy For a whole day is not as simple for children. Some will chat, get up regularly, flutter or look out the window, the slightest movement being for them a source of distraction … These reactions can allow the child to flee stress when a task becomes too difficult for example. But that Lack of concentration at school Often worried parents who will fear a deficit in attention, hyperactivity, etc., and of course, school failure. In what cases should you worry? How to help her child concentrate? … Stephan Valentin’s answers, doctor of psychology.
Towards what age does a child manage to concentrate in class?
Stephan Valentin: The concentration is not innate, it is acquired over time. For example, it is completely normal for a 5 -year -old child to concentrate only for 10 to 15 minutes on a single activity, being seated. Besides, at 10 years old, a child can only concentrate a few more minutes (20 minutes). However, you should know that children are quite capable of concentrating when it comes to an activity that they like. In addition, schoolchildren from industrialized countries are undergoing high school pressure and are increasingly losing the desire to learn. I believe that they are too long seated at school when they can just as well learn during a release at the museum, in the park, in the forest …
How to teach him to concentrate?
Read, make a board game or a puzzle … These activities are a good way to show your child how the game can make it possible to find a balance between action and tranquility. The practice of a sport is also recommended. It teaches him to respect the rules. Cooking can also be a good way of Wake the desire to learn from a child. He must respect a recipe with satisfaction at the end, of a good cake. During these activities, the parents must also concentrate too. This therefore implies that they should not take a look at television, do not regularly watch their smartphone … Parents must show the example.
How to help him be concentrated at the time of homework?
Parents must first think about ventilating the room well and freeing the office or table from anything that could Discontent the child. For it to drink enough, do not hesitate to make it a glass of water available. Sodas, fruit juices and other sweets contain too many refined sugars that have an impact on concentration. Finally, it is essential that parents motivate their child by praising their progress. Indeed, rumbling or punishing it will not encourage him to concentrate.
In what cases should you worry?
It is first of all essential that the child knows that his parents agree with the rules that are applied to school. We must not hesitate, if a lack of concentration comes up regularly, to dialogue with the teacher in the presence of the child and possibly the school psychologist. It is also important to seek the cause. The latter can thus decide with the teacher if the consultation of a specialist is essential. In consultation, it is often a question of reassuring parents to the fact that their child has the right to be as he is.
What differences between a restless child and a hyperactive child?
In Western countries, it is too quickly estimated thatA “living” child is hyperactive. But hyperactivity is a psychiatric disorder which is characterized by incessant agitation. The child moves a lot and is unable to focus on anything. He will then start something, do not finish it and move on. It is also very impulsive. He cannot wait and often gets into risky situations. These toddlers are very different from turbulent children. Stephan Valentin is the author of the book “School phobia: Understanding to act” by Editions Enrick B.
Tools to help him concentrate
Designed by two psychopedagogues, the book “I learn to pay attention“offers different exercises that allow the child to develop his concentration and his attention. Through illustrations and games, the little reader learns to describe what he sees in order to more easily memorize the images and answer questions. The book helps him better manage his emotions, anticipate situations, relax and disconnect from the outside world which can sometimes disturb its concentration. Finally, audio exercises complete the story. Playful, useful and educational, for the little ones from 3 years old.
For children from 5 years old, Nathan also offers a small suitcase including a book (with 7 stories) which explains to the child why it is sometimes difficult to be attentive and games to share, to help him channel his energy and find solutions to optimize his concentration, in a fun way.
