Any parent who’s had to teach their kids will know that attention spans can be close to zero. It takes a lot of effort to get your child to concentrate on things for an extended period. As a result, they stop paying attention to your lessons and think about something else.
One of the beauties of homeschooling is the ability to tailor your child’s education to their unique learning style and needs. The downside is that the home is full of distractions. So, here are some weird and wonderful ways to improve your child’s concentration while they study:
Place Plants & Flowers In The Study Area
Did you know that being around plants and flowers is shown to have a positive effect on the human brain? Various studies have shown that surrounding yourself with plants can improve concentration by up to 20% and boost memory recall.
With that in mind, you should put plenty of plants and flowers in the study area when you’re teaching your child. Places like Flower Hut sell plenty of houseplants online, so pick a few and put them on the desk, by the windows, or anywhere else near your child. From here, you can test this theory and see the plants work their magic as your child becomes more focused.
Let Your Child Listen To Video Game Music
This sounds like the opposite of what you want to do, but give it a try. You see, video game music has been specifically designed to help you focus. As such, if your child listens to this outside of a game, they’re going to go into a more focused state. It should aid their concentration, and there is research to back this up.
Of course, you need to download the music or find a playlist online – you don’t want to have the video game in front of your child at the time. Let them put on some headphones to really get in the zone and see if this has a positive effect. It may surprise you how well they’re able to retain concentration when compared to working in silence without any headphones on.
Use The Color Yellow
According to various studies, the color yellow is shown to improve concentration. How does this work? Well, it’s complicated, but the general idea is that we associate yellow with happiness. As a result, endorphins are released in our body – which aids concentration and focus.
It may seem like a silly idea, but there’s science backing it up! Again, similar to the flower idea, the aim is to use the color yellow around your child’s chosen study area. There are different ways you can do this:
- Buy them yellow books to write in
- Get them yellow pens
- Place some yellow flowers around the area to get the benefit of both ideas
- Hang a yellow poster on the walls
The ideas are potentially endless – and you don’t need to turn your house into a yellow home! A splash of yellow here or there in your child’s eyesight should be enough to elicit the desired effects.
Provide Lots Of Natural Light
As you assist your child with their learning, you should set a schedule that optimizes concentration. Everyone hates getting up early and going to school, but there are reasons why it’s a good idea. The best time to learn is during the day when the sun is out. Our brains are more alert, so we’ll concentrate better.
With that in mind, ensure your child gets lots of natural light while they’re studying. Put them near a window so the sun can shine through – or consider some outdoor lessons now and then. If you try to teach them in a gloomy room or have artificial light, they will never reach their true concentration potential.
Clearly, there are lots of weird and wonderful ways to help your child improve their concentration levels. Keep in mind that these ideas are to be used alongside some of the more conventional approaches. For example, you should make lessons appeal to your child and their learning style. Otherwise, they’ll never be focused because they don’t like reading through textbooks for hours on end and would prefer more of a visual learning style.
At the same time, be sure your child gets regular breaks so they have time to breath and play. After all, they’re a kid! They need to let off some steam or all of that energy will build up inside and make it impossible for them to concentrate. If you handle basic things like this – and your child is still struggling to concentrate – then you should try some of these less conventional ideas.
What an insightful read! The article underscores some unique yet effective ways to boost concentration while homeschooling kids. I find it particularly interesting how the environment, like being surrounded by plants and flowers, can enhance focus and memory recall by up to 20%.
The point about video game music aiding concentration is thought-provoking. It’s a testament to how different forms of media, even those not conventionally associated with learning, can be repurposed to facilitate focus.
I also appreciate the article’s mention of using headphones while studying. In today’s digital age, where distractions are just a click away, it’s important to create a focused learning environment, and headphones can certainly help.
The association of the color yellow with happiness and improved concentration was a revelation. Maybe it’s time to consider adding a splash of yellow to our kids’ study areas!
The emphasis on natural light during daytime study sessions is well taken. It’s often overlooked, but lighting plays a crucial role in creating an optimal learning environment.
However, what resonates with me the most is the reminder that these unconventional approaches should complement, not replace, the conventional ones. Regular breaks, playtime, and a balanced study schedule are still integral to a child’s learning journey.
Thanks for sharing this informative piece that gives us new perspectives on improving concentration while homeschooling.