Tips for helping your child focus in school
It’s that time of year again. Time to send our kiddos off to school for another great year. As we are transitioning back to school, here are some tips to help your child focus in school.
Encourage outdoor activities
During the school day, your child spends most of their time indoors taking notes, typing on a computer, and socializing with friends. All of these activities are great, but it is so important for kids to get outside every day to unwind and support their parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system. It is especially important in the wintertime as it is easy to go weeks without spending time outside.
Help them get 60 minutes of exercise
For kiddos, exercise should focus on things they enjoy doing. Playing at the park, sledding, sports, and theater are all forms of exercise. Getting 60 minutes of exercise per day supports their overall health, releases positive endorphins and helps them get better sleep at night (so they can wake up well rested)
Promote proper nutrition
We are what we eat. If your child is eating excessive refined sugar, they will go through energy spikes and crashes that make it hard to focus. Supporting a balanced diet with fruits, veggies, healthy carbs and fats will help their ability to focus and maintain energy throughout the school day. With that being said, don’t overdo this. Work with foods your child enjoys eating and try smoothies and multivitamins if they don’t like fruits and veggies.
Stick to a consistent sleep schedule
I know, this can be SOOO difficult. The more you are able to stick to a consistent sleep schedule, the more rested your child will be throughout the school day. It is hard to focus when kiddos are struggling to stay awake. Try to encourage similar bedtimes on the weekends as well. Again, don’t overdo this.
Let them take breaks
At home, when your child is doing homework, let them take breaks. It is hard for a kid to focus for longer than 30 minutes at a time. So, when they are doing homework encourage 2-minute breaks every 30 minutes or so.
Positive reinforcement
When your child gets a good grade, stays on track while studying, or gets a compliment from a teacher, let them know you’re proud of them. Kiddos want to do the right thing, sometimes it’s hard. When they do a good job, let them know!
These tips will help your kiddo tackle this school year and enjoy doing it. Have a great “Back to School” experience and make this school year the best one yet!
