Discourage multitasking to boost concentration
Look around your home during study time. Is your child singing to music? Are you answering your child’s questions while checking your email?
Multitasking has become a way of life, but not necessarily a good one. In fact, while multitasking, the brain doesn’t really concentrate on several tasks at once. Instead, it moves quickly from one thing to another—not giving anything its full attention.
To prevent multitasking mistakes:
- Eliminate distractions. Research shows that multitasking with technology (texting, listening to music, watching videos, etc.) negatively impacts studying, completing assignments, learning and grades. Choose a quiet place for your child to study—as free of distractions as possible.
- Think about the time of day when your child’s attention and motivation seem to be at their prime. Then, have your child schedule challenging work that requires a lot of focus during that time.
- Set an example. If you give your undivided attention when your child is talking or asking for help, you’ll demonstrate how to focus.
- Limit multitasking to activities that don’t require much concentration. For example, your child can listen to music while cleaning a room.
Reprinted with permission from the December 2023 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2023 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc. Source: C. Kubu, Ph.D. and A. Machado, MD, “The Science Is Clear: Why Multitasking Doesn’t Work,” Cleveland Clinic.