<![CDATA[How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention?]]>Read about many expensive mind training schools such as Shichida, Little Neuro Tree and Brainfit that supposedly teach kids to think and focus etc.


Has anyone successfully trained your young kids (esp boys) to focus on schoolwork, and sit down quietly to read/study on their own accord, without sending them to those schools?

Please share?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/15553/how-to-self-teach-your-child-to-focus-and-pay-attentionRSS for NodeMon, 27 Apr 2026 09:03:53 GMTFri, 05 Nov 2010 16:59:20 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:21:19 GMT]]>You are most welcome, cherrygal.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/777769https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/777769Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:21:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:10:50 GMT]]>Thanks ccgoh and celebratelife for sharing your tips!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/777716https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/777716Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:10:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 06:04:26 GMT]]>Hi cherrygal,


I did not send my kids to those centres mentioned. I wanted to spend time with them when they were still young. I guess what I did was I modelled the behaviour I wanted in them. So when I wanted them to love reading, I would get absorb in a book and tell them interesting parts and when they saw I loved reading, they also started to pick it up. I would leave some books around the house in our library corner and when it came to reading time, I would pick up a book and make everything conducive, turn up the air-con, have a glass of milk and cookies and start reading. When they saw how ‘shiok’ it seemed, they also started to search for books and then they started reading.

For focus in work, during the holidays, I would do what they want, bring them to places that I know they will really like. In that sense I would give to them in the love language that they understood. Then, when it came to work time, they would not resist so much as they have had a lot of time to do what they wanted. When they were studying, I would switch off the television and read a book so the house would be quiet and they would not be distracted. I would also explain why focus in important. Example- ask them how does a matchstick light up when it is placed under a magnifying glass…then teach them about that the magnifying glass causes the sun’s rays to focus on one spot and so the matchstick burns and then try to inspire them about the power of focus.

It does not always work but more often than not, when I explain and reason with them why certain things are important, they would often want to do that thing. They understand the heart behind the matter and hence they do not feel forced to do it.

I would not say my kids are perfect but at least now they are readers and can focus and do work on their own most of the time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/777562https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/777562Wed, 13 Jun 2012 06:04:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:27:59 GMT]]>

cherrygal:
Read about many expensive mind training schools such as Shichida, Little Neuro Tree and Brainfit that supposedly teach kids to think and focus etc.


Has anyone successfully trained your young kids (esp boys) to focus on schoolwork, and sit down quietly to read/study on their own accord, without sending them to those schools?

Please share?
Dear cherrygal,

It's natural that children have short attention span. Usually they grow out of it as they age - in the 1980s at least. Now, with the advent and proliferation of the internet and the boosted effectiveness of multi-tasking (which has been debunked by some critics recently), it's almost impossible for teens to stay focused - even when they are well into their teens! This is a sad fact but true nevertheless.

One way to enable them to stay focused is to let them engage in an activity which they are interested in and then let them be - preferable up till the completion of the activity. For young kids, simple jig-saw puzzles might help (but it should not be the very challenging types that take days to complete. An hour or two to complete the activity should suffice). Once they have completed such an activity, compliment them on their consistent and focused effort and encourage them to bring this consistency to their other activities. Over time, they will be more focused and their concentration powers will increase.

It's quite sad that most workplaces today place much emphasis on the effectiveness and efficiency of multi-tasking instead of focused tasks, as there are some which states that the act of multi-tasking is merely the handling of multiple tasks sequentially.

Warmest Regards,
Patrick

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/777542https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/777542Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:27:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:46:55 GMT]]>How you can convert SWF to FLV


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]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/742039https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/742039Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:46:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:15:27 GMT]]>Please note that your child may need you to help them, which is quite complex.My kids all day at home, and my mother and the maid can not help him http://www.meritline.com/hp-combo-hp96-hp97-ink-cartridges---p-19744.aspx, so he has to figure it out all by himself.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/741956https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/741956Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:15:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:48:44 GMT]]>I tried various methods, the most effective so far for my 4, 6 & 8 yrs sons is by creating a. Corner for study or reading only. Tv are to be switched off to minimize distractions. This does not work all the time. But it has at least improved the situation 70 to 80%.


Focus On praising the child on the things they have done correctly ANd not to emphasize on the mistakes. Guide them when they have made a mistake.

Let them know the consequences if they do not focus and do their work fast. Take away their favorite toy or favorite activity when they refused to focus on home work. This works better compared to physical punishment. A lot of patience is needed as this method takes a month or so to kick in.

Reduce tv or electronics devices exposure helps too. Not saying to take aWay 100% to deprive them from enjoyment but to limit the time e.g half hour to 1 hr is god enough twice a week.

Just have to be persistent, patience, and make sure everyone uses the same teaching method. It will not work if someone interferes with the opposite.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/734344https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/734344Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:48:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:51:40 GMT]]>The only time my child focus is when watching the fav show… Can sit there very quiet without me around nearby.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370777https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370777Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:51:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:46:47 GMT]]>I think training your kids to play puzzle or building legos is a good way to teach them to be focus.


Sit down with them and guide them the 1st & 2nd time. You can tell once they master how they do it independently they will be very interested to complete the puzzel / Lego.

I tried Lego for my 7th old son with the star wars Lego. And my 5yr old son with jigsaw puzzle and both methods worked.

Praise and give encouragements. They will feel more confconfident. Soon they will want you to buy them more…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370250https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370250Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:46:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:46:23 GMT]]>I have 2 kids enrolled at kumon, I think the teaching method has helped with training them to be independent in their home work. Price is reasonable. Both are in maths class.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368750https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368750Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:46:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:35:18 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
Ashes:

Is there anyway to deal with daydreaming and lack of motivation & confident ?


Since P1 , my son does not have stress with school. Teacher always feedback that he is not paying attention and lieks to daydream and worse still his result is at the borderline & he will b in P4 GEP next year...

He can only do his works well when i sit with him. :?:

Maybe he is bored with how he is being taught. GEP next year may wake him up. Wait and see?

The main problem is, he doesn't bother with result at all. He can do well with us (teacher or me) sitting down with him. but when he is alone in the examination hall, he will finish the paper in less than 30 mins, scribbling without looking at the question.

How to change his attitude???

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/322588https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/322588Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:35:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:00:22 GMT]]>

Ashes:
Is there anyway to deal with daydreaming and lack of motivation & confident ?


Since P1 , my son does not have stress with school. Teacher always feedback that he is not paying attention and lieks to daydream and worse still his result is at the borderline & he will b in P4 GEP next year...

He can only do his works well when i sit with him. :?:
Maybe he is bored with how he is being taught. GEP next year may wake him up. Wait and see?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/322385https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/322385Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:00:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 08:54:51 GMT]]>Is there anyway to deal with daydreaming and lack of motivation & confident ?


Since P1 , my son does not have stress with school. Teacher always feedback that he is not paying attention and lieks to daydream and worse still his result is at the borderline & he will b in P4 GEP next year...

He can only do his works well when i sit with him. :?:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/322293https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/322293Wed, 29 Dec 2010 08:54:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:25:42 GMT]]>[quote]I learnt phonics all by myself watching Sesame Street and The Electric Company.[/quote]
My hubby told me he used to learn phonics the same way too 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/321280https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/321280Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:25:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:41:13 GMT]]>

tamarind:
Paulyn:

I tried the phonics cards on my 5 yr old who can talk very well but can't really read as he refused to try. This is due to bad experience as i tend to throw temper when he refuses to write when he was young. He was excited for a while but after seeing me bring out the cards, he immediately say no and that he just wAns to play. He enjoys me reading stories to him though. What should i do


Have you tried http://www.starfall.com ? Otherwise just let him watch the Leapfrog Letter Factory and Talking Words Factory DVDs will do.

Yes... I quite agree with Tam... You don't have to teach your kid phonics. I learnt phonics all by myself watching Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Just find a suitable Phonics game and play it alongside your child. Or get him hooked on the game and go do something else.

It really does help. I know some people advocate sight cards for teaching babies to read (preverbal stage) but I've never tried it... I tend to find Phonics a very efficient method of learning to read English in the post-verbal stage (i.e., after the child learns to talk).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/321242https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/321242Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:41:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:19:41 GMT]]>

Paulyn:
I tried the phonics cards on my 5 yr old who can talk very well but can't really read as he refused to try. This is due to bad experience as i tend to throw temper when he refuses to write when he was young. He was excited for a while but after seeing me bring out the cards, he immediately say no and that he just wAns to play. He enjoys me reading stories to him though. What should i do

Have you tried http://www.starfall.com ? Otherwise just let him watch the Leapfrog Letter Factory and Talking Words Factory DVDs will do.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320808https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320808Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:19:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:10:01 GMT]]>Phonics is definitely essential when teaching a child to read. Otherwise, the child will have to memorize thousands of words in order to learn how to read, and this is very inefficient. It is like parents making the big mistake of forcing their kids to write many Chinese characters many times in order to remember the strokes, this is not the correct method. Please note that learning Chinese is completely different from learning English.


As parents, we should find the most efficient methods of teaching kids. Both my kids are able to read long English novels like Charlotte's Web by 5 years old, thanks to their good foundation in phonics. Being able to read does not mean only knowing how to read simple books of one sentence on each page. It means the ability to read books with about 200 words a page :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2010/03/importance-of-reading-books.html

They are also able to write long English compositions effortlessly before entering P1, because they can spell most words using phonics techniques. Since they read extensively, they are able to learn a lot of knowledge independently.

Being able to read effortlessly is essential for doing well in schools. I believe that many kids dislike studying because they find it difficult to read.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320798https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320798Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:10:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:52:10 GMT]]>i hv nvr seriously taught my kids phonics cos i dont know and they learnt in sch. n they dont phonic class cos i find it too slow, tho it shd be good but i hv my liimited budget. instead i made my own flash card of sight words, bought some from popular (pelangi series that comes with readers), some from september21 and bought lots of readers eg Oxford Essential Readers. just keep repeating the words flashcard n drill him.


start with common sight words and high frequency words eg and, of, into, because, what etc - all my kids can read by 3, even by boy who’s active, by 3.5 latest. he didnt like to sit down but i forced him (its like the child dont like antibiotics but u got to force right?)

phonics is not a must if u are just talkg abt ability to read.
its more of aiding spelling but can still read wel by sight reading.
its a bonus if can learn phonics but its not that no phonics, cant read.
its same for chinese language - the look of the ch character has no relation to the pronounciation. but we learnt by sight reading n memorising right?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/318565https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/318565Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:52:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:26:55 GMT]]>

Paulyn:
I tried the phonics cards on my 5 yr old who can talk very well but can't really read as he refused to try. This is due to bad experience as i tend to throw temper when he refuses to write when he was young. He was excited for a while but after seeing me bring out the cards, he immediately say no and that he just wAns to play. He enjoys me reading stories to him though. What should i do

I was like the laziest mommy ever when it came to Phonics training. I planted mine in front of Dr Seuss computer game (came in CD-ROM in those days) and in front of Winnie the Pooh Alphabet and Winnie the Pooh Math.

I taught them to play the games and before you know it, they'll have learnt their ABCs and to count.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/318557https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/318557Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:26:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:32:49 GMT]]>I tried the phonics cards on my 5 yr old who can talk very well but can’t really read as he refused to try. This is due to bad experience as i tend to throw temper when he refuses to write when he was young. He was excited for a while but after seeing me bring out the cards, he immediately say no and that he just wAns to play. He enjoys me reading stories to him though. What should i do

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/318541https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/318541Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:32:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:52:22 GMT]]>if she loves to dance, seems like ur child is active, like my boy (tho he doesnt dance. just run ard)


if she can focus on things she likes eg puzzle, then she prob isnt adhd.
my boy can focus on drawg, puzzle, car, train, lego, tv, but not sch wk.
sigh…so if not doing these things, he will not sit still, even now he is 5

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/313436https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/313436Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:52:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:10:13 GMT]]>My gal just turn 3 and according to her pre school teacher, I was recently told her attention span is rather short which as a mother, I know that too.


I have been trying to help her and am still trying to. What I have done, I am not sure if it’s good enough. I knew she likes pirate so I bought her a set of 48pieces of pirate jigsaw puzzle which is she able to complete it on her own. I sat near her but didn’t help except verbally guide her how to differential each piece and things to look out. More like technic.

Since she is so into pirate, I bought a pirate book with jigsaw puzzle on alternate pages and sticker book etc.

The teacher commented that when she is told to do colouring, she would do that but after a while she will wonder off. That’s something I do with her at home so I am not sure if that’s boredom.

I was told she likes music so I try to create a nice musical environment for her like turning on children but she would say NO turn off, too noisy. And yet once she ponder on my trance CD, she dance to it…

I am in fact very concern about her focusing and concentration. Is there anymore things that I can help her out? Any suggestions?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/313343https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/313343Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:10:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:11:55 GMT]]>thanks a lot!

i m planning to send my boy to brainfit studio’s attention programme nx year

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/308254https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/308254Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:11:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to self-teach your child to focus and pay attention? on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:17:28 GMT]]>

24hr-mum:
my boy is already 5, still has short attentn span since birth (tho slightlly better now) but it seems its a trait that wont be outgrown......just got to channel their attention to something of their interest......

Hi,

I am not sure whether you could read chinese.

This is how the mommy train his son to focus.

和儿子一起成长
她是中国十大杰出母亲，她是资深教育专家。
http://read.dangdang.com/book_12021

Please click here to read-成功来自专注力（1）
http://read.dangdang.com/content_2188359?ref=read-2-D&book_id=12021

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/308196https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/308196Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:17:28 GMT