Attention and Focus at Home


Why Attention and Focus Matter in K2 

Attention and focus are crucial skills for young children, especially in K2 as they prepare to move into Year 1. In these early years, children are developing the ability to listen, follow instructions, and complete tasks—skills they’ll rely on as they transition to more structured learning environments. The ability to pay attention and focus helps children absorb new information, participate in group activities, and engage in meaningful play. As they grow, these skills lay the foundation for problem-solving, independence, and self-regulation.

By nurturing attention and focus at home, you’re giving your child a head start on the skills they’ll need to thrive in Year 1 and beyond. You can easily nurture these skills with some fun and simple activities! Here are some tips and tricks to guide you on this exciting journey.

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Practice Short, Focused Activities

Children naturally have shorter attention spans. Start with activities that require just a few minutes of focus and gradually increase the duration as your child becomes more comfortable.

Example: 

I SPY

  • Great for observation and focus
  • How to play: Say, "I spy with my little eye, something [colour or shape]" and have your child guess what you're describing. It helps them concentrate on details in their surroundings.
Memory Card Game
  • A great way to build concentration.
  • How to play: Lay out pairs of cards face down. Take turns flipping over two cards to find a match. The goal is to remember where each card is. You can use playing cards or make your own!
Hot and Cold
  • Helps develop focus and persistence.
  • How to play: Hide an object and guide your child to find it by saying “hot” when they’re close or “cold” when they’re far away. This keeps them focused on the task.
Puzzles
  • Puzzles require focus and patience to solve.
  • How to play: Start with simple puzzles and work up to more complex ones. Completing a puzzle requires concentration, attention to detail, and perseverance to finish the task.
  • Extension Idea: Create homemade puzzles by cutting a picture into pieces or making a scavenger hunt to find the pieces before putting them together.
LEGO Building Challenges
  • LEGO is excellent for promoting concentration and problem-solving.
  • How to play: Create a challenge like “Build the tallest tower you can” or “Make a house for your favorite toy.” Your child will need to focus on balance, planning, and sticking to the task until the structure is complete.

Tip: Set a timer and encourage them to complete the challenge before time runs out. This adds an extra level of excitement and focus.




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Incorporate Mindfulness and Movement Breaks

Regular movement helps children release energy and refocus. Try incorporating short mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or yoga to help calm their mind and body.

Yoga sessions 

Incorporate short yoga sessions with a video like Cosmic Kids Yoga.

Melting exercise

A simple relaxation activity that helps children focus and calm their bodies. You can use a video like use a video like Melting Exercise to guide them.



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Set Clear and Achievable Goals

You can always use a reward chart to motivate them! Tracking their progress visually and rewarding small achievements keeps them excited and focused.

Tip: Don’t forget to model the behavior you want to see and use positive reinforcement to encourage their efforts!


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Limit Screen Time Final Thoughts

While screens can be useful tools for learning, excessive screen time can overstimulate children and hinder their ability to focus. Set boundaries on screen time, and encourage more hands-on, interactive play.

Example: Create screen-free periods during key parts of the day, like before bedtime or during meals, to encourage family interaction and focused play. 

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Attention and focus are essential skills that can be nurtured in the early years. By incorporating some of these strategies into your daily routine, you can help your child build these skills while having fun and spending quality time together. 

Happy learning!

Penney



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