Sometimes, as a parent, it can feel like nothing more than a broken record. “Pick up your toys”; “Do your homework;” “Eat your vegetables;” and “Don’t hit your brother” become everyday mantras that you feel like you’re chanting to yourself.
Getting kids to listen can be one of the most frustrating aspects of parenting. It could be a discipline issue, but if you’ve ruled this out, it could mean your child’s attention is diverted before the sentence is out of his mouth.
Many studies show that activities like television and video games reduce children’s attention spans. When a child is constantly entertained through these devices, the desire for instant entertainment develops and increases. When they get used to something fast and exciting like a video game, mom or dad’s voice becomes very boring by comparison.
Moderating your child’s TV, computer, and video game time will help him focus, especially if his alternative activities involve other children or games that require his full attention. Connor Hodum takes karate classes and his father, Daniel, has seen an improvement in his ability to listen.
“Connor’s ability to listen and understand has improved a lot since he started karate,” Daniel said. “His attention span from him has also been better and we’re still working on that.”
Daniel hit on an important point about improving your child’s attention span and listening skills: it’s a work in progress. Getting them to turn off the TV for one night isn’t going to do the job. Make activities that help your child pay attention part of his daily routine.
Reading is a great way to help your child’s attention span. Encourage him to read something that interests him, whether it’s a magazine, a novel, or a comic. If you find the material boring, paying attention will be harder than ever. Ask him about the things he reads at dinner to practice remembering the details of what he read.
If your child is too young to read alone, read to him. After the story, ask your child questions to see what he remembers about it. See how much of the story you can tell him.
Even repeating the instructions you give your child can help increase his listening skills. It helps her make sure that they are really listening and understanding what she is saying, and it lessens the likelihood that she will have to say it again.
Studies have shown that music increases listening skills. Spend time listening to music or dancing with your children. Ask them to choose their favorite songs and help them make a CD that they can listen to. Add some of your favorites and explain why you like them or what they remind you of. Putting study material to music, such as state capitals or multiplication tables, can also be a useful tool for your child’s memory.
Another common factor attributed to decreased attention span is sleep depravity. Children need eight to nine hours of sleep a night, and if they don’t get the recommended amount, this could be one reason they have trouble listening and concentrating. Set a firm bedtime each night to make sure your child gets the sleep he needs.
Teaching your child to be a good listener takes a lot of work and a lot of patience. A good attention span is easier for some than others, so remember to work at your child’s pace. If you slowly introduce listening activities into her daily routine, her attention span will gradually increase.
