How to help your fidgety child concentrate during homework time

In many children, insecurity manifests as restlessness. Establishing a routine is a great way to help your child feel secure in order to prevent chaos and foster an environment that is conducive to learning. Here are some tips on how to get there:

• Figure out the best time to do homework with your child: As soon as they get home from school? After dinner? In the evening? Saturday morning?
• Help your child choose the best place to do their homework and set up their workspace: In their bedroom? At the dining room table? In the kitchen while you make dinner? At their desk? In the living room?
• Gather all the materials they need to do their homework in advance: agenda, textbooks, geometry tools, etc.
• Eliminate distractions: TV, phones, video games, tablets, etc. If your child loses focus easily, it may be helpful to give them noise cancelling headphones.
• Set aside a specific time block just for homework.
• Suggest that your child take regular breaks so they can get up and stretch their legs.
• Determine whether your child studies better with soft music or no music.
• Give your child a snack if you think they might need one before they start their homework.

Some kids need to move to focus, while their classmates prefer to concentrate on one thing at a time. Your fidgety child might prefer to stand up, play with an object, or doodle while they work.
For some children, sitting still requires a great deal of effort, and all their energy is focused on not fidgeting instead of on learning.

If your child finds that moving helps them think, here are some ways to integrate movement into their study sessions:

• Reading while squeezing a stress ball or playing with a fidget spinner
• Doing homework while balancing on an exercise ball
• Doing jumping jacks or playing with a ball between subjects
• Making up a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt related to what they are studying
• Drawing while lying on the floor or holding the paper against the wall, etc. 

The possibilities are endless! You can also check out our Motivational Timer, which allows you to structure your child’s homework sessions and gives them a small reward every time they finish a task.

Most children need to let off some steam before they sit down to do their homework, especially if they have a lot of energy. To help your child stay focused during homework time, try to get your child moving when they come home. This will help burn off any excess energy. It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of exercise a day. If the weather is bad, your child can get active indoors by doing a little dance, climbing the stairs, trying to keep a balloon in the air, chasing after a paper airplane, etc.

Relaxation techniques are great tools for calming the mind and the body. You can do simple relaxation exercises with your child, such as slow belly breathing, yoga or meditation, or listening to some relaxing music.

While routine and clear instructions are certainly important, children also need support and recognition for their accomplishments. Kindness and encouragement are crucial for developing self-esteem and achieving academic success.

Reassuring your child also helps to reduce restlessness and anxiety caused by insecurity. For this reason, make sure to acknowledge their progress and efforts on a regular basis.
 
You can recognize your child’s effort and accomplishments in the following ways:

• Avoid comparing your child to others
• Show your support with body language (e.g., applaud, give a thumbs-up, etc.)
• Use positive phrases such as “not too long ago you had trouble sitting still for more than two minutes, and you have just stayed concentrated for a good five minutes. You are doing great!”
• Leave encouraging notes in their lunchbox.

Impulse control is key to academic success, as it helps students take their time to think and follow instructions before they act. As they develop self-control, your child will start to notice the benefits of working calmly.

While your child will gradually learn to control their restlessness on their own, there are a few things you can do to help them develop this skill. Here are a few examples:

• Play games that require self-control, such as Jenga, building a house of cards, the Quiet Game, or our game Think Fast!.
• Listen to your child and help them name their emotions.
• Rephrase instructions using positive statements rather than negative statements. For example: “Please speak quietly,” instead of “Stop shouting.”