How to Help Your Child Stay Focused: 7 Expert-Backed Tips

Staring out the window, losing focus after just 10 minutes, or zoning out over homework—these are common concerns among parents of school-age kids. So how can you help your child concentrate better? Here are seven psychologist-approved strategies.

📝 1. Declutter the Study Space

A cluttered workspace can make it harder for children to focus. Keep the area clean and organized, leaving only the essentials for studying. Turn off the TV, remove unnecessary toys and gadgets, and create a calm environment that promotes concentration.

Developmental Insight: Young learners are still developing the ability to filter out distractions. A structured, distraction-free environment helps strengthen their focus over time.

⏳ 2. Use a Timer

Try the Pomodoro Technique, a time-management method named after the popular tomato-shaped kitchen timer. The idea is to focus on a task for a set period, followed by a short break.

Set a timer for 25 minutes of study, followed by a 5-minute break. Encourage movement during the break—jumping jacks, dancing to a favorite song, or a quick stretch. Switching between focused work and movement helps kids stay engaged and motivated, especially when they know there’s a time limit.

Developmental Insight: Attention spans vary by age, but breaking tasks into manageable chunks helps children sustain focus without feeling overwhelmed. Movement-based breaks can also improve cognitive function.

🏐 3. Change the Scenery

Some kids struggle with sitting still for long periods, and that’s okay! If they are restless, try switching things up: review schoolwork while taking a walk or practice math problems through physical activity.

For example, turn multiplication practice into a game: toss a ball back and forth while quizzing your child (“What’s 7×3?”), and they answer before throwing the ball back (“21!”). Learning on the move can make it more engaging. You could also try asking a math question and giving them multiple-choice answers. Assign each answer a movement (e.g., jump for A, spin for B). They answer by performing the correct movement.

🤝 4. Make a “Contract”

If your child frequently procrastinates or resists studying, a simple written agreement might help. Together, create a checklist of daily tasks and agree on a reward for completing them over a set period (a week or two). Write it down, sign it together, and treat it as an official contract—this makes expectations clear and adds an element of responsibility.

Developmental Insight: Giving children some control over their study habits and incorporating positive reinforcement encourages self-motivation.

🎯 5. Connect Learning to Hobbies

Children are more engaged when they see how learning relates to their interests.

• Into sports? Have them calculate player statistics for their favorite team.
• Enjoys cooking? Let them double or halve a recipe to practice fractions.
• Loves art? Encourage them to sketch out scenes from a history lesson.

Developmental Insight: When learning feels meaningful, children are more likely to stay engaged. Tying schoolwork to real-life interests strengthens intrinsic motivation and helps knowledge stick.>/p>

🕹️ 6. Play Games Together

Games are a fun and effective way to build focus and attention skills. Try classic games like:

• “What’s Missing?”—Place several objects in front of your child, remove one, and see if they can guess what’s missing.
• Memory games—like “UNO,” “Spot It!” (Dobble), or digital memory apps.
• Board games—strategy games like “Guess Who?” or “Clue” encourage concentration and problem-solving.

Developmental Insight: Play is essential for cognitive development. Games that involve memory, strategy, and attention to detail help build the skills needed for academic focus.

👋🏻 7. Engage Multiple Senses

For kids who have trouble sitting still, multi-sensory activities can work wonders. Try:

• Writing spelling words in sand or flour
• Solving math problems on a steamed-up mirror
• Using Play-Doh or LEGO to visualize fractions

Developmental Insight: Multi-sensory learning engages different areas of the brain, making it easier for children to retain information. Hands-on activities can also help bridge gaps for those who struggle with traditional learning methods.

By creating the right environment, incorporating movement, and making learning interactive, you can help your child develop focus and build better study habits—without frustration!