5 tips for staying focused while attending school online

This tip may seem obvious, but avoiding distractions means more than simply turning off the TV. To help your child concentrate better, you can encourage them to do the following:

• Mute all notifications (emails, texts, instant messages, etc.)
• Close unnecessary tabs when working on their computer or tablet
• Put their phone in another room
• Close the door of the room they’re working in (if possible)
• Use noise-cancelling headphones
• Set aside thoughts unrelated to their studies
• Etc.

Long hours of work without breaks are generally unproductive—attention spans tend to wane after a few minutes. That’s why dividing up tasks into small blocks of time is recommended for boosting concentration. Suggest that your child do the following:

• Use a timer or a Time-Timer
• Set the alarm to go off after 10 minutes
• Take a short break (listen to a song, do some stretches, etc.)
• Resume working for another 10 minutes
• Etc.

Some kids need to move in order to concentrate. In fact, it appears that when the body is in motion, that helps keep the brain switched on. That’s why some teachers allow their students ride a stationary bike during class time. If you’re lucky enough to have one at home, even better—you can encourage your child to use it during their online lessons. If you don’t own a stationary bike, you can always suggest that your child try the following:

• Remain standing during online classes
• Use a ball chair
• Use a rocking chair
• Etc.

It's important to have adequate lighting when using the computer in order to stay focused and protect your eyes. Working in the dark can damage eyesight and reduce attention spans. To help your child focus, you can encourage them to make use of natural light. Suggest they do the following, if possible:

• Work near a window
• Open the curtains
• Work outside for a few hours (e.g., using an umbrella to minimize screen glare)
• Study outside during the day
• Etc.

Physical activity allows the body and the brain to get more oxygen. It also helps reduce anxiety and boost concentration, among other benefits. That’s why it’s important to encourage your child to move as often as possible, while respecting social distancing rules. Here are a few examples of activities to try under the current circumstances:

• Biking
• Walking
• Jumping rope
• Playing hopscotch
• Playing Skip-It
• Etc.