10 Reasons Your Child Can’t Concentrate In School (That Aren’t ADD)
Child concentration issues in school can happen to many students. Most children have trouble paying attention in class at some point. When this happens, especially with young students, parents wonder why their child can’t focus and whether their child might have a learning difficulty.
It’s important to know that not every student who has a hard time focusing in school has a learning difficulty, such as ADD or ADHD. In many cases, child concentration issues in school can be caused by a variety of reasons.
Signs of a Concentration Problem
Common signs that your child is having trouble concentrating in the classroom include:
- Low grades
- A dislike of school
- Disruptive behaviour in class
These signs don’t automatically mean your child has a learning difficulty. Before you start looking for solutions, the first step is to identify the reasons your child is having trouble focusing in school. Here are some of the biggest reasons students have a hard time paying attention in class (that aren’t ADD/ADHD).
10 Reasons Your Child Has Concentration Issues in School
1. Lack of Practice
Many young children have a hard time focusing in the classroom simply because they are in a new environment. This can also happen to older children after a break from school, such as March break or summer holidays.
2. Doesn’t Understand the Material
What might look like a lack of concentration could actually be a lack of understanding the material. This lack of understanding can lead students to stop paying attention, and consequently falling further behind.
3. Isn’t Being Challenged Enough
For some children, what is being taught in class isn’t challenging enough. Children who are not challenged at a high enough level can lose interest in the material and stop paying attention altogether.
4. Distracted by External Stimuli
The classroom can be a place full of distractions, from chatty classmates to a cluttered workstation. Some children have a harder time than others filtering out these distractions, making paying attention to the teacher more challenging.
5. Lack of Motivation
In some cases, your child’s concentration problem may actually be a motivation problem. This lack of motivation can lead to a number of issues in the classroom—including disinterest in the material.
6. Mismatched Learning Style
Different students have different learning styles: some learn best by seeing, some by hearing, and others by doing. If your child’s teacher emphasizes a learning style that doesn’t match with how your child learns, this can result in a lack of focus and understanding.
7. Not Getting Proper Sleep or Nutrition
If your child is not getting the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep each night, they won’t have the energy needed to concentrate in class. Skipping breakfast is another big cause of lack of focus in class. If your child is heading to class hungry, they are more apt to be distracted than learning-ready.
8. Disorganization Problems
A disorganized notebook or workspace can be a cause of distractions for students. Coming to class disorganized means your child is spending time searching for the tools and materials needed to learn rather than paying attention to what is being taught.
9. School Anxiety
Anxiety about school or grades can be another deeper issue leading to a lack of focus in the classroom. Students who are overwhelmed or stressed by a subject may simply check out, leading to dropping grades and confidence.
Learn more on signs and how to overcome school anxiety here.
10. Learning Difficulties
If your child is having severe problems in the classroom, such as constant disruptions, distractions, or poor grades, and you have ruled out the other items on this list, it could be time to look into possible learning difficulties. In some cases, these children may have learning difficulties such as ADD, ADHD, or Dyslexia. They may also have auditory issues such as CAPD (Central Auditory Discrimination Disorder). Each of these can be addressed with the help of a tutor and a learning plan so your child can improve their focus and succeed in the classroom.
Start Overcoming Distractions
Once you know what’s causing your child’s focus issues, you’re ready to start making a plan to overcome them. For more tips on how to help your child improve their concentration skills, check out these tips from the experts.
By understanding and addressing the root causes of child concentration issues in school, parents and educators can help children build the focus and skills they need to succeed academically and beyond. Oxford Learning can help—find a location near you.
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