A child who focuses in school absorbs more information and is more likely to complete his assignments. This often results in higher grades and a better understanding of the material covered in class. As a parent, you are able to influence your child's focus, even when he is away at school. Teaching focus starts at home and involves a number of factors. The techniques you teach your child for focus help him stay on track at school, increasing his chances of success.
Step 1
Establish a routine at home to create a sense of familiarity for your child. Routines also get kids in the habit of completing basic daily tasks, giving your child a chance to focus on those duties.
Step 2
Set your child's bedtime at a reasonable time based on his age so he is rested and able to focus. A school-age child needs 10 hours of sleep or more a night, according to the Mayo Clinic. Determine his bedtime so he can get a full 10 hours.
Step 3
Eliminate foods from your child's diet that may interfere with his focus. Cut back on sugary foods, junk food, caffeine and highly processed foods. Feed your child a healthy balance of whole grains, lean meats, fruits and vegetables so he is nourished and better able to focus at school.
Step 4
Serve a healthy breakfast to start each day. A hearty breakfast satisfies your child's hunger, leaving him better able to focus on school work.
Step 5
Discuss the importance of focus with your child. Let him know that focus means sticking with the task even if he wants to do something else.
Step 6
Teach your child to fight off the temptation to lose focus in school. Remind him to ask himself what he is supposed to be doing to help refocus on the task.
Step 7
Talk with your child's teacher on a regular basis to identify potential focus problems. Volunteer in your child's classroom. Taking an active role in his education shows him that you care and may help him focus.
Step 8
Review your child's homework with him on a daily basis. Look over past assignments from school. Set expectations for your child in completing his homework.
Step 9
Point out real-world examples of topics your child is studying at school. Finding a personal connection with the topic may help your child focus better. For example, if your child is studying money in math class, have him total up the grocery bill as you go through the supermarket.
