How to help a restless child to focus?

"He does not stop", "he touches everything", "he is distracted" ... you often say these phrases when talking about your child and that worries you. Rest assured, precise criteria make it possible to define a "hyperactive" child and there are some tips for channeling it.

#Unable to concentrate: he is not hyperactive for all that!

A child is able to be attentive about 10 minutes during an explanation (for example for a grammar rule) and about twenty minutes for an application (that is to say to do the exercises related to this rule). From there, if your child has an awkwardness, it usually means he is in good health. As for children prone to hyperactivity, they have particular symptoms that make it possible to identify them. Before talking about a "hyperactive" child, you should know that there are two forms of instability.

• Motor instability That is to say that your child does not hold in place: he touches everything, he is daredevil ... Reassure you, from 1 to 5 years the child needs this motor hyperactivity. The opposite can sometimes be disturbing. By doing so, he tests his abilities, discovers the elements and judges your authority. In short, he is still agitating for a specific purpose. He may also need to let off steam regularly, which is often consistent with periods of intense concentration. However, if beyond the CP, he is unable to sit more than a quarter of an hour for no apparent reason, it is probably that he has small nervous problems. But do not be alarmed, it can be temporary.

• The intellectual instability It is distracted, it flutters, it always has the head in the air ... This type of instability appears at the school age, between 6 and 12 years. This attitude is often that of children who are more alive than others who understand quickly and therefore quickly lose interest. On the other hand, if this inattention persists, observe your little one. Canadian psychologists and psychiatrists have identified the symptoms of what they call Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Syndrome (SHTA).

• He has trouble organizing his work and gives the impression of not having heard the instructions.
• It makes errors of carelessness in large numbers and impulsively.
• He frequently gives the answer aloud.
• He has difficulties to wait in group.
• He is unable to play as long as children his age.
• He has very few friends.
• He has trouble finding his words.

#Agitated Child: How to help him channel his energy?

There are several tricks to try to catch your attention, to teach you how to manage your energy to limit the causes of distraction.

• Plan a unique place for him to do his homework. You will limit the causes of distraction (posters, gadgets, food ...). And for him, settling in this place, his office for example, will be all the more linked to the fact of focusing to become, as and when, a reflex. -
• Always start the work session with what attracts the least. So, eventually, he will be more willing to do what motivates him.
• Explain to him the interest of his action.Why do mathematics, why read a book ... He will be all the more motivated and ready to fix his attention.
• Offer him "concentration sprints". Instead of telling him "work twenty minutes," tell him "be careful what you do for two minutes" and count them. After this short time, he will stop for a minute to breathe and start again. As he develops this new work habit, the duration of the sprint will gradually increase.
• Offer him outdoor concentration exercises, outside of school work. Do DIY, gardening, bowling, go to the concert or the theater ... These activities correspond more to his dynamism and they show him the benefits of concentration in more fun areas.