Have you noticed how children these days seem to lose their concentration faster than ever? It’s not surprising, considering the many modern distractions that abound around them, like those posed by the TV set, Facebook, computer and electronic games, and mobile phones.

But you can fight back and direct your child’s attention toward his studies. Here are ways to help improve his concentration.

1. Give your child adequate bedtime. Enforce regular sleep hours. When a child is sleep-deprived, perhaps from too much online chatting or computer gaming—his concentration slips away. So make sure your son gets enough shuteye. WebMD.com says children need from 10 to 11 hours of sleep every night, while teens require about eight to nine hours.

2. Watch his diet. Don’t feed your growing one a diet rich in sugar. Not only is sugar the leading cause of tooth decay, it is also believed to induce hyperactivity in kids. Increase his fiber intake instead to keep his adrenaline levels more consistent. Examples of fiber-rich foods are oatmeal, shredded wheat, berries, bananas, whole-grain breads, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Encourage exercise. We can’t over-stress the importance of play and exercise in children. Physical activity not only prevents obesity, studies indicate it helps enhance concentration and memory. Scientists have posited that the much-observed decline in children’s attention span nowadays arises from a lack of regular physical activity. So get your child away from computer games and into the world of physical games, like football or basketball.

4. Clear your house of distractions. Your own home may be filled with distractions that undermine your child’s ability to pay attention. A loud TV that is turned on for hours is one major distraction. Too much TV viewing (or computer gaming for that matter) can lead to kids who have lower grades in school, read fewer books, exercise less, and are overweight.

5. Create the mood for concentration. Make your child’s study area a more conducive place for homework. If possible, choose a place with windows to allow air to circulate. Install appropriate lighting to prevent eyestrain, and choose a study chair and table that are ergonomically sound to prevent backaches and bad posture. Teach rowdy siblings to stay away from your learner’s den during his study time. Finally, little touches such as playing calming background music or setting up an aquarium in your student’s room can increase his capacity to stay on course.

6. Set a routine. Though they may whine, throw tantrums, or put up a resistance, children actually need structure in their lives. Draw up a schedule for waking up, taking breakfast, going to school, playtime, study time and dinner. This will teach your child to know what to expect next and what is expected of him. When he knows it is study time and not play time, he is more receptive to opening his books. Experts recommend that doing homework should take place at the same time every day.

7. Encourage and praise. Nothing can make a child lose interest in his studies more than a parent who yells or scolds him as they review his lessons, causing him to become distracted and frustrated. Rein in your temper, show him that you believe in him, and praise him when you see him trying his best to understand.

8. Take a break. Don’t overwork his brain. Let your little one take short breaks during study time to refresh his mind and memory. Let him stand up and stretch after 10 or 15 minutes or so. Children do not have the attention span of adults. Many educators believe that homework for preschoolers should not exceed 20 minutes each school day. Primary schoolchildren can sit through their homework from 20 to 40 minutes, while high school students can study for up to two hours a school day.

There may be more distractions now than we had to contend with during our own school days. But know that there are many steps you can take to counter these concentration busters. More than anything else, a loving home that takes care of a child’s needs and underlines the importance of discipline and education is what will help him improve his attention levels and study skills. (December 1, 2011)

(Romelda Ascutia is a consultant, editor, writer, and blogger. Before freelancing, she spent more than 20 years as a full-time editor for a number of national dailies and trade and consumer magazines.)