How to develop the child's ability to concentrate? (Document)

Erika Hanula on her blog has collected a number of games parents can play with their children - and which develop the child's ability to concentrate - and by that same token, improve his or her ability to learn, absorb new information.  The collection is based on international literature review. These games can also be used in school or other settings. 

1. Memory

A well-known game which is best for memory-development, and most kids enjoying beating their parents at it.

2. Activity-memory game

The first player shows a certain activity (e.g. claps) the second one repeats this activity and adds a second one (claps and steps), the next player repeats these both and adds a third one- and so it goes round and round. This is especially helpful for hyperactive children or ones with attention deficit. 

3.Find the 5 differences

Two almost identical pictures with a few differences between them (can be other than five). For older kids you can time them, so they have a higher motivation to concentrate. 

4. Card game

All card games, from the easiest, to the most complicated develop memory, concentration and the ability for combination

5. Crossword puzzle

Any type of riddle, puzzle helps to concentrate on one specific task. 

6. Word games

Word-flow, country-town, what does the little boat bring, black-white-yes-no, or tongue twisters are all very good to pay better attention or improve memory. 

7. Chess, dame, damas,tic-tac-toe

These games need serious concentration and combination abilities - so they develop kids' brains.

8. What has disappeared?

We take out 10-20 different objects on a trey, players have a minute to look at them, then they turn away. For smaller kids: the adult takes one object away, and children have to guess - after turning back- which one is missing. For older kids: describe as many objects as you can (people usually remember 7+/- 2 objects) 

9. What's the pattern?

We can make a series or patterns out of coins, beads, lego etc. Players have half a minute to watch it, then we collect it together and ask them to build it again. If this goes well, we can make the pattern longer or more complicated or shorten the time during which they can observe it. 

10. Who finds... first?

This is a great game for longer trips in cars, bus or train. Who sees a red car, a certain animal, a tractor first. 

11. Online games

There are many online games that develop concentration - and children are very motivated to wok with the computer. 

12. Neurogym

An app for mobile phones -which can easily develop the brain.