There are children who find it difficult to concentrate on an activity for a long time, are easily distracted and disconnect from the world with amazing speed. In fact, sometimes they find it difficult to follow the thread of a conversation, they forget the tasks they have to do and it is difficult for them to follow instructions. It is a problem that usually affects young children above all and that in the field of Psychology is known as attention deficit.

Attention deficit in children: A common problem in childhood

Attention deficit is a disorder characterized by the inability to concentrate on the same activity for a long period of time, which causes the child to constantly change tasks and become easily distracted. Unlike Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), absent-minded or distracted children do not have the hyperactive and restless behavior of children with this disorder, nor do they have self-control problems.

In the On the basis of this distraction, the genetic or neurocognitive alterations that cause ADHD are also not found, since in most cases the lack of attention is due to immaturity. In fact, many of the children who are classified as distracted in the early stages of childhood usually overcome this problem when they reach adolescence.

However, one of the difficulties that distracted children have to face and that can affect its development are learning problems, which in some cases can lead to school failure. In fact, a study carried out at the University of California Davis in more than 700 children over a period of more than 20 years revealed that attention deficit can affect learning and academic performance, becoming one of the main causes of school failure. .

The good news is that children’s distraction has a solution. There are some techniques that can help children overcome their attention problems and develop greater concentration.

How to help distracted or clueless children?

1. Make sure your child gets enough sleep and rest. Lack of sleep and physical exhaustion are some of the most common causes of inattention and constant distractions in children. If your child does not get enough rest or sleeps poorly at night, it is normal for him to feel tired the next day and not be able to concentrate 100%.
2. Install routines in his daily life. Routines are an excellent tool for your child to get more involved in everyday tasks and not forget what he has to do. In fact, when routines become habits, the child will carry out certain tasks almost automatically, which will save you from having to constantly remind them.
3. Explain each command or instruction in detail. Children with attention deficit disorder are often absent-minded and forgetful, so it is important that you explain in detail what you want from them. When you go to ask him for something, make sure that he is paying attention to you and, when you finish, you can ask him to repeat the instructions to you, to make sure that he has understood and memorized them.
4. Avoid distractions in their environment. If your child is easily distracted, avoid exposing him to additional distractions: keep his room as organized as possible, keep toys out of sight, don’t turn on the TV while do your homework and keep electronic devices out of reach, at least until game time.
5. Always start with the most complex tasks. As the day progresses, it is normal for the child to feel more exhausted, to lose interest more quickly and to be more easily distracted. Therefore, it is convenient for him to start with the most complicated tasks since that way he can pay more attention to them. Make sure your child understands this and that he always starts his homework with the most complex subjects.