Teachers have a tough job. They need to be able to teach a large class of children, all of who have varying ability levels, and keep all of them engaged in their work. There can often be occasions where you catch the class’s attention drifting, or when certain kids simply don’t seem to be engaging in the work, and it can be challenging to get them back on track. Here are some tips for teachers to improve attention spans.
1. Break the Lesson Down
Even adults find it tough to pay attention for long periods. Short, easy to understand modules are much better for learning, and it has been shown that kids respond better to lessons delivered by sound bite, where they learn a little at a time. Try to spread complex subjects over multiple lessons, so that the kids don’t feel like they’re being overwhelmed with information.
2. Use Different Teaching Tools
Kids often respond better to information if it’s delivered in different formats and it’s personalised to their level, so they aren’t just sitting and listening the whole time. Many teachers are using more education technology in the classroom, which can help kids learn in an interactive way, with games, quizzes and more to help them along the way.
If you’re teaching something complex, consider using a range of methods in one class, both on and offline, for the best possible chance of success.
3. Give Them Breaks for Exercise
Exercise can help boost concentration and is important for students because:
- Running around and playing helps boost blood flow to the brain, getting students’ brains ready for learning
- They burn off excess energy, so are more likely to sit still and listen
- Everyone needs breaks – it helps them be more productive throughout the day
- Some physical exercise after lunch helps beat the afternoon slump that many people go through
Many teachers of younger pupils have begun starting the day with a few yoga poses or even a quick dance routine, which gets them into the right headspace for the day of learning ahead.
4. Do Some Practical Exercises
Learning out of a book or listening to a teacher can soon get a bit dull, so consider adding some practical exercises to the class. For example, if you’re teaching a math class, get the kids involved with weighing, measuring or making models to put concepts into practice. Put the kids into groups and let them solve problems together, or give them short projects so they can learn to collaborate. Most kids learn through doing, so it’s important to take different learning styles into account.
5. Do Some Fun Stuff too
Kids are a lot more motivated if they know they can do some fun, creative stuff in-between the tough, boring tasks. Try to set aside a little time for interesting themed activities, so that kids know something they want to do is coming up. From making a diorama to coloring, there are lots of enjoyable activities that kids can do that also teach them useful skills.
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