When kids miss or don’t understand information in class, it is often due to not paying adequate attention. All students know what it's like to listen to a lecture they aren’t particularly interested in; it can also be hard to focus when instruction is poor, when there are distractions, or when more pressing matters are weighing on the student’s mind. Some students also have chronic attention problems regardless of the content. Unfortunately, attention difficulties can lead to lowered grades, teacher frustration, and low self-esteem. Luckily, paying attention well is a skill that can be improved by using a few simple focusing strategies.
Choosing Appropriate Seating
Where students choose to sit in the classroom is crucial for maximizing focus. Sitting near a chatty classmate, a window with an enticing view, or a noisy pencil sharpener may not be the best idea for kids who are prone to attention problems. A seat in the back, especially in a large class, may be an invitation to tune out. Instead, kids should choose a seat near the front and away from obvious distractions.
Appropriate Body Language
Posture, eye contact, and body language all play a part in focus. Students should face the teachers or speaker, make proper eye contact, and maintain an attentive posture (no slouching, putting the head down, etc.) Keep in mind that attentive behaviors, such as nodding, leaning forward, and participating also send a message to the instructor that the student is eager and interested. This may subconsciously encourage the teacher to direct his or her comments directly to the student, increasing the level of engagement.
Class Participation
The more engaged a student is in what is going on in the classroom, the more focused he will be. Students can increase their level of involvement by raising their hand to answer questions, volunteering to take part in demonstrations, making relevant comments, and asking questions.
Taking Notes
Note taking is a great way for a student to increase their level of concentration in class. Taking notes forces students to listen for the main idea as well as the supporting details. If a student cannot summarize what was just said, he or she should be sure to get clarification before the lecture moves on. The act of physically writing down the material also helps to reinforce what has already been heard.
Taking Breaks
It can be difficult to sit in one place for long periods of time. Purposeful activity that breaks up the monotony, such as getting up to use the restroom or get a drink, may help to refresh and re-energize the student who finds himself having difficulty keeping on track. Use this strategy sparingly; however, or run the risk of missing too much information or disrupting the entire class with frequent movement.
Attention difficulties in class is a common problem that, without solid strategies, can be detrimental to a student’s success. Taking the initiative to implement some simple ideas can help any student improve their ability to pay attention.
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