5 Ways To Get Young Students To Focus And Pay Attention
Getting kids energized an ready for a lesson is just as important as the lesson itself. The learning process will be nul and void if we do not stimulate the interest of young minds and engage them properly. This is perhaps easier said than done, but it is not impossible, you simply need to know what is likely to grab the students' attention.
I have to admit, getting older kids to focus on a lesson might be a bit trickier, since they won't fall for the funny faces and puppet shows, in fact, this approach would backfire altogether! I can however give you some advice on how to engage younger students (say until about 10 years of age) and prepare the for class.
5 Ways To Get Your Students' Attention And Prepare Them For Class
1. Get their attention focused on you.
If this means you have to bring your fun side out, do so! Kids love fun teachers, this doesn't mean no one will learn, in fact, kids learn MORE when having fun! If this means pulling funny faces, reading in quirky voices or going all out with body language, then do so. The young kids will love it. They will not only be interested in you, but what you are saying and doing too!
2. Make a personal connection.
When planning and presenting a lesson, look ways to incorporate topics that the children in your class can relate to, or are interested in. Making a personal connection make children (and adults) focus on what you are saying, since they have something in common with it, or already have knowledge which they can add towards the subject.
3. Throw in some unexpected objects.
Kids will never learn through just theory, they need to see, hear, feel and even smell things! Use props, food or even puppets in your lessons. With these visual aids you will have the attention from students from the start.
4. Give your attention in return.
Attention is a two-way street. Pay attention to your learners and you will not only discover their personalities and interests, which will help you with point 2 above, but you will also get their respect. When you have the respect of your learners they will be more likely to stop and listen to you, and respect you in return.
5. Give praise!
Last, but not least, encourage your students and give them praise. A "well done" or an "excellent job" goes a long way and encourages one to stick around for more!
Having little eyes looking up to you can be somewhat intimidating, since those little eyes usually are full of expectations. So in essence, the first step is to relax, enjoy the lesson. If you are enjoying the lesson, 9 out of 10 the kids will enjoy it too. HAPPY TEACHING!
Throwing in some extra objects and creating a personal connection work quite well on both young and older kids and even adults too. My son is 4 so teaching him through funny faces and stories is easier but sometimes he doesn't fall for them. Making him feel and study things and using personal connections comes in quite handy then. Good post!
god I so need this. I just got a call from the teacher saying that my daughter is so bubbly and enthusiastic in class that she doesn't know how to sit still when they are supposed to be concentrating & she's distracting the other girls.