How to Help Your ADHD Child Concentrate at Home and at School

The brains of ADHD children are like overperforming race cars. Their minds are in constant overdrive! Their thoughts sometimes take strange paths and spark surprising connections, which can make it difficult for them to follow a conversation, memorize instructions, or finish what they start. To help your child focus in class and during homework time, encourage them to do the following:

• Ask questions
• Participate in discussions
• Ask people to repeat what they said
• Rephrase what they’ve read or heard
• Etc.

Organization is a key to academic success. This is especially true for children with ADHD. With proper guidance and effective strategies, however, it’s been shown that these kids can compensate for some of the difficulties stemming from their lack of concentration. In addition to using an agenda, for instance, your child can adopt other organizational techniques. Ask them to try the following:

• Make a paper bracelet for each task and wrap them around your wrist. When you complete a task, simply remove the corresponding bracelet.
• Write tasks on pieces of paper, crumple them up, and put them in a bowl. Pick a task at random, smooth it out, and do it. Once finished, crumple up the paper and try to score a goal in your waste bin.
• Write all your tasks on a wooden stick (like a Popsicle stick). Then, place the sticks on the table in order of priority. When you’ve completed a task, remove the corresponding stick.
• Etc.

Concentration is a skill you can work on! With practice, children can develop strategies that can be used in class or during homework time. Encourage your child to do the following:

• Play cards or memory games
• Do jigsaw puzzles
• Colour a mandala
• Follow a musical rhythm
• Etc.

A timer can be used in many ways to keep kids organized, especially those with ADHD. Using a timer, your child can break down their work into several tasks and reward themselves after completing each one. This unique tool also promotes better concentration by helping children do the following:

• Anticipate upcoming tasks
• Determine if they’re working too fast or too slow
• Focus on their task instead of worrying about the time
• Etc.

Why not try Alloprof’s Motivational Timer? Your child can set up their own study schedule and earn fun rewards. 

Getting a restful night’s sleep is important for your physical and mental health. Good sleep also promotes better concentration, and helps children do the following:

• Finish what they’ve started
• Understand instructions more easily
• Study efficiently
• Etc.