Child Having Trouble Focusing? Check for These Common Causes

If your son or daughter is having trouble focusing in school or other areas of life, there are certain factors that could be contributing to the problem. Some medical conditions along with other problems that haven’t been addressed are known to affect children’s mental focus. Your child’s inability to focus may be linked to one of these five common causes.

Excessive Screen Time

Sometimes, it isn’t just a lack of stimulation that is causing your child’s decrease in attention span. Rather, it can also be an over-dependence on constant stimulation. Videogames and the fast-paced visual media of today gives a constant stream of information. If you watch television shows today and compare them to some from the past, you’ll even notice fewer pauses and faster dialogue than before.

When children spend too much time on their screens, this can create an addiction to that high-speed mental stimulation. When faced with the slower-paced reality of classrooms and books, they are then easily bored and distracted. The best solution is to limit children’s access by allowing them to earn screen time through other activities, keep devices in public places, and spend more time as a family away from screens.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a condition that results when the eyeballs aren’t completely round. Misshaped eyeballs often cause vision problems that usually need eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct. Reading from books and being able to see what’s written on the chalkboard in class can be much more difficult if your son or daughter has astigmatism, and this can also affect mental focus. A qualified behavioral optometrist can diagnose this condition and offer solution ideas that will work best for your child.

Vitamin Deficiency

Perhaps your child isn’t getting enough of the vitamins that are essential for sharp mental focus. B vitamins along with gingko biloba, ginseng and magnesium could be lacking in your child’s diet, and increasing the intake of these vitamins can make a big difference. Vitamins C and E are among the antioxidants that are known to contribute to greater mental clarity. If your child struggles with eating foods that contain these vitamins, you can try giving multivitamins that are made specifically for kids.

Lack of Mental Stimulation

Boredom can cause your child’s attention span to wane in school. The cause of boredom might be that your child is taking classes that are below his or her learning ability. Testing can determine if your son or daughter should be learning more advanced subjects that are more challenging and will encourage better mental focus. If your child is especially bright, there are schools that accept children with greater learning capacities and have programs that can keep smarter students engaged.

ADHD

Short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, this brain disorder is known to affect the attention spans and functioning and development of children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, you might notice your is child missing important details in his or her schoolwork or not listening when being spoken to directly. Your child may also have difficulties staying organized or disliking tasks that require a prolonged mental effort. If you notice any of these signs, you should have your son or daughter evaluated by an expert in the behavioral health and development field.

Finding the cause of your child’s mental focus struggles will make it easier to correct the problem. By implementing the right solution, your son or daughter will be able to concentrate better in school with fewer distractions.

By Meghan Belnap / Blogger, Researcher and Freelance Writer

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.