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How to Improve Focus and Memory in Children

Do you work with students who struggle to maintain focus and find memory tasks difficult?  Are you in search of ideas of how to improve focus and memory in children?  Here are several strategies to help children.Do you work with students who struggle to maintain focus and find memory tasks difficult?  Are you in search of ideas of how to improve focus and memory in children?  Here are several strategies to help children.

Ideas for How To Improve Focus

Classrooms are busy places! A student’s visual and auditory focus and attention can dart around the room due to the many distractions.  Other students chatting, teachers giving directions, doors opening, windows, lights, bulletin boards, whiteboards, computer screens, the list goes on and on of what can disrupt students’ focus and attention.

Reduce distractions as much as possible

Quickly look around the classroom or home.  Reduce unnecessary visual distractions in the room such as pictures on walls, mobiles or hanging objects. Decrease auditory distractions by instructing students to be quiet during work time when able.  Keep adult directions to a minimum when students are busy working.

Complete one assignment at a time

Provide only one task or assignment at a time.  Breaks up large tasks into smaller parts.  If a student has to complete 3 sections on a worksheet, try cutting up the paper into three different parts.  Or place the paper in a folder and cut the folder into thirds.  Open up one section at a time to complete the work.  Try to teach older students higher-level organizational skills so they can be independent in breaking up large assignments into smaller chunks.

Practice

Focus and attention can improve through practice.  Work on sustaining focus for longer periods of time.  One tool to help with this is Forbrain®.  We were given the opportunity to test out Forbrain’s dynamic filter that trains the brain to be more attentive improving not only attention but auditory processing and sensory integration.  (Affiliate links are used in the post for Forbrain®).

How to improve focus and memory

What is Forbrain®?

Forbrain® provides an auditory feedback loop with a dynamic filter to enhance specific frequencies of speech and constantly surprise the brain to increase focus and memory.  It is a small, low-profile, comfortable, headset that wraps around the back of your head with a padded microphone near the mouth.

How can Forbrain® Help to Improve Focus?

When we tested out Forbrain®, it was amazing how much it filters extraneous and distracting noises while you speak. When you use Forbrain®, you speak into the small, padded microphone and you can hear yourself speak inside the headset along with small vibrations with bone conduction directly in front of the ears.

Three of the four children ages 5 through 17 who tested the device found it to be helpful when reading out loud to increase focus and attention on the material (One child disliked the sensation of the bone conduction vibration). Due to the auditory feedback loop, you do not hear distracting noises while wearing the headset.

Ideas for How To Improve Memory Skills

Students are required to use their memory skills day in and day out.  For some, this results in a significant struggle especially when working memory is necessary.  Working memory is used when a student needs to think and remember at the same time.

Write it down

It is as simple as that.  If you need to work on your memory skills, write down what you need to remember.

Use Cues

Use mnemonics or other strategies to help you remember the important material.  Mnemonics are when you use an acronym or other cues to remember the facts.  Try underlining or highlighting important information.

Read It and Say it Out Loud

Practice reading the material you need to memorize.  Then put the book or notes down and try to say the important facts out loud again without looking.  The Forbrain® device is a great tool to practice reading and saying it out loud to help store the information in your memory.

Are you in search of ideas of how to improve focus and memory in children? Do you work with students who struggle to maintain focus and find memory tasks difficult? 

Other Suggestions for Forbrain® to Learn How to Improve Focus and Memory

 

Practice proper voice modulation

Another suggestion is to use Forbrain® to improve voice modulation.  Children who struggle with modulation sometimes speak too loudly.  When using the Forbrain® device, students get a clearer understanding of using an appropriate voice level by modulating the intensity of the voice.  When reading out loud they can focus and attend to improving this skill.

Practice deep breathing skills

Teaching children deep breathing techniques can help with emotional regulation and focus.  When using the Forbrain® during deep breathing exercises, students can focus on the exhalation phase combing the auditory feedback with the bone conduction.  Read more on deep breathing exercises for children here.

Practice Singing

The children who were testing the Forbrain® device enjoyed singing with it on.  Not only can you hear your voice very clearly, but it also helped them to remember the lyrics and provided a sense of novelty.

Practice Expressive Speech

Personally, for myself, I found Forbrain® to be very useful for practicing diction and expression when making speeches or recording webinars.

More ideas on How to Improve Focus and Memory:

3 Steps to Help Children Improve Focus and Self Control

Classroom Displays and Children’s Ability to Focus

Working Memory Deficits, Emotional Regulation and ADHD

What is working memory and hemisphere integration?

Exercise and Working Memory in School Children

10 Tips for Written Expression for Students with Working Memory Deficits

Are you in search of ideas of how to improve focus and memory in children? Do you work with students who struggle to maintain focus and find memory tasks difficult?