Some children have difficulty focusing at home and school, making it much harder for them to learn.
What you may see
- lots of continual talking
- lots of movement or fidgeting
- slumping in their chair
- daydreaming/staring into space
- being distracted by movement around the class and outside noises
- difficulty in paying attention to tasks for a long time
Strategies and advice
Use an enthusiastic tone of voice and vary your tone.
Use occasional prompts like clapping, to help some children to wake up and pay attention to the task. Music also works well.
Encourage movement breaks before and between desk activities, or at any time the child appears sleepy or fidgety, for example:
- marching on the spot
- jumping jacks
- chair push-ups
- wake and shakes
Regular changes of position. This can be completing work whilst sat on a gym ball, ‘move-n-sit’ cushion, using chair bands on chair legs, or at a standing desk.
Have younger children ‘march’ from one activity to another. The rhythmic body motion and input to the feet can help to be organising.
Incorporate errands into the child’s day, for example: returning the register, taking messages to another part of the school, being the chair monitor, door monitor, carrying heavy books etc. This will also provide opportunities for praise and increase self-confidence.
Consider using activities that give the child deep pressure throughout the day (see proprioception advice sheet for details).
Drinking or eating chewy or crunchy foods helps with focus and organisation. Although food is not widely promoted during class time, certain snacks may help a child be calm and focused on their schoolwork.
Sucking through a straw or a water bottle with a sports top may be quite calming. The force needed to suck the water up can be organising to the body.
Have younger children try to ‘hold the walls up’ or ‘push the walls down’. Teach older children to do push-ups with their hands in their seats.
People often ‘fiddle’ with small objects such as erasers or paper clips as a way to stay focused. If it is not interfering with classroom learning, allow ‘fiddle’ objects during listening activities.
Environmental concerns
Lighting – Is there enough natural light? Is it too bright? Are LED lights irritating
Displays – Bright, reflective colours can be too distracting.
Clutter – Is the table/desk as clear as possible?
Room temperature – Is it too hot or cold? Is there enough fresh air circulating?
White/black board – Keep it clean when not in use to reduce distraction.
Noise – Keep it to a minimum. Sometimes background music can be helpful but it can distract other children.
Prompts – Remind the child to maintain eye contact with the person they are talking or listening to.
Room layout – think about where the child is sitting? Are they better at the front of the class, or the side or at the back?
Last reviewed September 2025