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How to Help Your Child Focus Naturally

19/08/2022

One way to help children improve their ability to focus is by limiting their screen time (e.g. not more than 2 hours). This way, they will be less exposed to the endless amount of distractions and stimulations from the TV or internet. This will also help them have more time for physical activities and actual play where they use toys and other objects. 

Why is too much screen time bad? 

Too much screen time can cause the following: 

  • Weight gain (children can’t get enough physical activity) 
  • Craving for junk food because of TV and online advertisements 
  • Reduce children’s total amount of sleep 
  • Mood and behaviour problems (because children lack sleep) 
  • Isolation (missed opportunities to get along with other children) 
  • Missed learning experiences (due to less physical playtime and interactions with other children) 

And yes, too much screen time can make it hard or impossible for children to focus on a particular task at a given time. After all, smartphones, digital tablets and computers always present an endless amount of stimulation and distraction. Slowly and gradually, those screens are rewiring their brains to be constantly looking for something new. 

During academic learning or even just during ordinary playtime, children will also constantly be looking for something new. As a result, they will switch to different activities rapidly and fail to solve a problem or figure out a concept. Before they can do so, their eyes and minds look for other things to do especially when something’s a bit difficult or discomforting about what they’re doing at the moment. 

In other words, too much screen time can negatively affect their overall learning and development. They will find it hard to focus and learn, which can have cumulative effects through their early years and later in life. 

As a result, you can easily help your child focus by limiting the screen time and facilitating more playtime. Notice that this is what happens in reputable early learning centres where the activities are much healthier, interactive and more physical. This way, children can better learn how to focus on a task, solve problems and gain a variety of fruitful experiences.