Ask HN: How can you help kids focus?

2 points by tmaly 5 years ago

Given all the devices and distractions in this modern day, it seems more challenging for younger people.

My child has lost some of her focus since starting school.

If you have kids, what have you do to help them improve their ability to focus?

uberman 5 years ago

Do you ask your kids to read a "real" book for 10 to 20 mins every school day? Our school "requires" parents to do so and it does seems to help with my kids time on task and focus. Note: "real" in the sense of not screen based. Anything with a screen is going to come with built in opportunities for distraction.

As a family, we also play games like "Exploding Kittens" and "Hearts". My youngest has asked about what it was like to play "D&D" and I think that they will be ready for something like The Princess Bride RPG. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/toyvaultinc/the-princes...

Really, any thing that encourages engaged thoughtful imagination rather than passive entertainment is probably going to help.

  • tmaly 5 years ago

    My daughter regularly reads real books. We try to encourage this.

    We play games like Monopoly or Scrabble on the weekends. It seems since starting kindergarten, she has lost some of her focus.

gary_locus 5 years ago

Cut down their screen time. Tell them more stories. Keep them busy with chores.