How to Help a Distracted Child Stay Focused in School

If your child struggles with focus, the new school year is likely to bring fresh worries. It’s important to be proactive, but you may be unsure about teaching them how to stay focused in school or struggle with the best way to talk to their school about the problem. To help empower you to support your kiddo’s educational journey, here are some tips on how to help your distracted child in the classroom. 

What are some signs my child is struggling to focus in school? 

Whether it’s behavior you notice at home or reports from your child’s school, here are some signs they may be struggling to focus in school: 

• “Zoning out.” If you frequently notice your child staring off into space while they’re meant to be doing homework or chores, it could be a sign of attention issues that are also impacting them in the classroom. According to Anna Marcolin, LCSW, this “quiet daydreaming” is especially prevalent in girls who struggle with attention and may happen despite their ability to achieve grades. 
• Trouble with transitions. Have you heard from teachers that your child struggles with transitions between tasks? Marcolin says that “quick emotional reactions … when transitioning between activities” can be a subtle sign of attention issues. 
• Declining grades. If your child’s grades are going down or they struggle with finishing homework, attention issues may be the culprit. 
• Avoidance behaviors. Pay attention when your child is doing homework. If they take frequent bathroom or snack breaks or often find other small reasons to get up, these “micro-avoidance” behaviors could be a sign of underlying attention issues. 

Pro tip: If your child is using their phone while they’re supposed to be studying, you’ll be able to see their activity times in BrightCanary — as well as what they’re typing across all the apps they use. 

How can I work with the school to help my distracted child in the classroom? 

Collaboration with your child’s school is key when it comes to helping them with attention issues. But it can be difficult to know how and when to reach out. Here are some tips: 

1. Don’t wait

According to Dr. Genét Simone, a Career and Technical Education teacher with Seattle Public Schools and author of Teaching in the Dark, if you suspect your child is struggling with attention in class, it’s best not to leave it up to the teacher to reach out. 

They have many other students and very little time to contact parents, which means you may not hear about an issue until it reaches a boiling point. 

2. You know your child best 

It’s easy to want to defer to teachers because they’re the experts on classroom strategies. But remember, you’re the expert on your own child. When you reach out to the school, Simone encourages parents to include the following: 

• What are you noticing? 
• What are you worried about? 
• What do you want the teacher to watch for? 
• Is there any other relevant information you want the teacher to know? 

3. Share strategies

If you’ve found something that helps keep your child focused at home, share it with their teacher. It’s important not to be demanding, though. Be clear you realize this may not work for their classroom and instead offer it as an insight into your child that could help the teacher work with them better. 

4. Put your heads together 

Simone suggests working with the teacher to brainstorm the best course of action. Different kids may need different support, and combining perspectives can help you come up with effective solutions. 

What can I do at home to help my child stay focused at school?

What you do at home is a key component in your child’s success in the classroom. These strategies can help you support your child in staying more focused at school. 

• Encourage proper nutrition and hydration. Offer protein-rich meal and snack options and encourage your child to carry a water bottle so they stay hydrated during the school day. 
• Make sure they get their Zzzs. Sleep is a vital component of your child’s ability to focus in class. Enforcing a reasonable bedtime and limiting how late they can use their device are both ways to promote good sleep. 
• Help with homework strategies. Help your child break their homework or other tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Not only will this help them focus during homework time, but the skills they gain will carry over into the classroom. 
• Mirror what works at school. If a particular strategy is helping your child stay focused in class, encourage them to use that same technique at home. 
• Seek professional help when needed. It may be time for a professional assessment if your child’s difficulty focusing lasts six months or more, despite good sleep, proper nutrition, and limited screens. That’s especially true if you have a strong family history of ADHD, mood disorders, or learning differences.

In short

Attention issues can negatively impact a child’s school experience. If your kiddo struggles with staying focused in school, it’s important to be proactive and collaborate with both your child and their school to address the issue. Contacting their teacher with your concerns, trying strategies at home, and seeking professional help if the problem worsens or persists are all ways to help a distracted child in the classroom. 

If your child spends a lot of time distracted by their phone, here's one easy way to stay informed and involved: BrightCanary. The app monitors what your child types across every app on iPhones and iPads, so you’ll get a sense of their interests, stressors, and emotional well-being. And if there are any red flags, you’ll get alerts in real time. Download BrightCanary and start your free trial.