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As evening falls, the atmosphere in most Indian homes is the same – piles of books, incomplete homework and crying children amidst scolding by their parents. In the modern era, due to the attraction of screen time, mobile games and social media, keeping children’s attention focused on books has become a big challenge for every parent. Child psychologists and education experts believe that presenting studies as a compulsion or punishment makes the child’s mind turn away from learning. On the contrary, if the environment of study and homework is mixed with play, creativity and positive encouragement, then the same study can become the most favorite and enjoyable part of the day for children.
Children naturally love sports and challenges. In such a situation, instead of making homework a complex task, turning it into a ‘game’ proves to be most effective. For example, math problems or formulas can be taught using flashcards, board games, or quiz formats. You can set a ‘time-attack challenge’, such as “Let’s see who can complete this paragraph in beautiful handwriting within 10 minutes!” When a child feels that he is playing a game and has a chance to win, his brain is relaxed and works faster.
The pressure of sitting in one place and studying for hours can distract any small child. According to experts, the attention span of small children does not exceed 20 to 30 minutes. For this, adopt the famous ‘Pomodoro Technique’. Let the child study diligently for 25 minutes and then give an ‘energy break’ of 5 to 10 minutes. In this short interval, allow the child to stretch, drink water or eat some light fruit. This keeps the mind fresh and even long homework never seems tiring or burdensome.
The place of study has a deep psychological impact on the mood and concentration of the child. Reading while sitting on the bed or sofa causes laziness. Instead, create a dedicated ‘study station’ for the child in a quiet corner of the house. Provide colorful stationery of his choice, pencil holder, whiteboard and good lighting. The most important thing is that the TV, tablet or smartphone should be completely switched off around the study table so that the child’s attention does not get distracted by frequent notifications or screens.
Motivating children with small rewards instead of scolding and negative comparison always gives better results. Place a ‘Reward and Star Chart’ on the wall or study board of the house. Whenever the child completes homework on time or learns a new chapter, give him a ‘Golden Star’. At the end of the week, decide that if he collects 5 stars, he will get a trip to his favorite park, his favorite meal, or a favorite comic book. This technique awakens within the child the desire to achieve goals on his own.
One of the best learning techniques is ‘Feynman Technique’. When the child understands a new lesson or math problem, ask him to become a teacher today and explain that concept to you. When a child himself teaches something to someone, that subject gets deeply ingrained in his mind. Being your student and asking him questions boosts his confidence and makes him realize that his understanding is very important.
Irregular daily routine creates laziness in children. Making the child study every day, sometimes in the afternoon or sometimes late at night, spoils the child’s routine. Sit with the child and prepare a balanced time table, in which rest after coming from school, evening outdoor play, time for study and time for sleeping early in the night are fixed. When the routine is fixed, the child’s internal biological clock automatically gets ready to study at that time and the need for daily routine is eliminated.
Children learn not from preaching, but by observing the behavior of their parents. If the parents themselves keep scrolling on the mobile and order the child to open the book, he will never read attentively. When the child sits to study, you should also sit near him and read a book or magazine. Also, always praise the hard work and dedication put in by the child instead of just praising the test scores or grades. When the child gets the assurance that his parents appreciate his efforts, he becomes free from the fear of failure and starts enjoying studies.
World Connect News