How Do I Get My Child to Concentrate?

Do you feel like your child just can’t seem to concentrate on one activity for longer than two minutes?

As a mom of little ones I know how frustrating that can be. Not to mention, what a toll it can take on your own productivity. So how on earth DO we get our children to concentrate on something for an extended period of time?

Earlier this week, I hosted a LIVE training over in my FREE, Facebook group Montessori Toddlers (be sure to join here if you haven’t already.)

When your child can concentrate for longer, it means they can play independently for longer stints of time (and we can get some other things done around the house, or for work or for our sanity!)

So what’s the secret to getting your child to concentrate?

A while back, we talked about why having too many toys can be detrimental to your child’s concentration. If you missed that post, be sure to check it out here.

Which leads me to the ONE thing you can do to help your child concentrate: PREPARE THEIR WORK AREA!

This one important step can change your child’s ability to concentrate and play independently for longer. With a neat and organized play space children can concentrate for a longer period of time and you have more freedom in your day. Win-Win!

(Having a prepared work area is something that we talk about EXTENSIVELY in our FREE 4 Days to a Montessori Home Challenge. Head here to join if you haven’t already!)

So how do I prepare their work area?

There are really just three, easy things you can do:

1. Keep the work space simple. Only place between six and 12 items out in their work area, at a time.
2. This one might be tough to hear for some of you, BUT…Use your main living space for your child’s area for work. Play rooms often end up being dumping grounds for all the toys in the house. They also are not always independently accessible.
3. Remove any ‘no items’ in the area for work. You don’t want any extra distractions that could be potentially harmful in this area. Look from your child’s perspective and make sure to create a ‘yes’ environment that is safe for your child to freely explore in without interruption.

Ready to help your child concentrate and get yourself organized?

I am hosting a FREE 4 Days to a Montessori Home Challenge that begins November 1st and we’ll be talking about how to prepare our homes to practice Montessori (without breaking the bank!)

PLUS if you participate in all four days, you’ll have a chance to win a FULL SCHOLARSHIP to the Montessori Learning Center (a $2,000+ value!)

For 4 days we will focus on taking your main living space from overwhelmed, cluttered, and unorganized to a beautifully prepared area for your child to flourish in. (Without spending all of the time + money.)

In the meantime, here’s my challenge to you – Try implementing these three suggestions above and then come back and tell me in the comment section below; How long could your little one concentrate (and what did you do with your extra time?)