Can you make it through this article without scrolling to the bottom?
If you can’t, then you probably need to work on your attention span.
Attention span is the capacity to focus on a single task without engaging in unnecessary distractions. A short attention span can result in the urge to click off this post and pick up the phone.
The long-term effects can vary from forgetfulness to a disturbed sleep schedule. The attention span of a school-going child was eight minutes on an average. Statistics indicate that it has now dwindled off to twenty-nine seconds.
Why does it happen?
The 21st century offers many distractions. After COVID-19, there has been a massive trend in consuming content visually. Especially with an emphasis on short-form content.
Like their parents, children have increasingly begun to watch short-form content. Resulting in a rise of unproductive screen time.
Short-form content is present on social media sites such as Instagram and YouTube. It is designed to take up a huge portion of an individual’s time through the trap of forty-five, or thirty second videos.
What follows next?
A child is promised instant gratification by a flick of the finger. They keep on scrolling rapidly, growing increasingly overstimulated. Short bursts of information are conveyed through color and music. This releases a neurotransmitter called ‘dopamine’ also known as the ‘feel-good’ chemical in the brain.
The child is also suddenly faced with a lot of information. More than they can handle. This leads to them feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. This is followed by a lack of motivation, interest. Soon, the only thing that catches the attention of a child is the bright screen of the phone.
How do we fix it?
Reading is a wonderful and productive activity to increase a child’s attention span. Encourage your child to take up a book and read it from cover to cover. Reading is a multifaceted activity, which will improve your child’s vocabulary and language comprehension skills.
Cutting off social media is another effective solution. A complete digital detox is essential to rewire your child’s brain and to regulate their attention span. Social media is a tool that enables procrastination. Eliminating this distraction would boost a child’s productivity considerably.
Meditation is all about focus. Regular meditation can reduce stress and anxiety. The child will turn their concentration inward and focus on themselves. Thus, enhancing mood, concentration and quality of sleep.
Exercising, or engaging in any other physical activity can be extremely rewarding. Exercising releases endorphins, which are natural brain boosters. To instil discipline and motivation in your child’s life, exercising is the perfect activity.
Challenge Yourself
Fixing a child’s attention span can be tricky.
A shortening attention span is preventing your child from achieving their true potential. It is only through dedicated practice and discipline that these activities can be integrated in a child’s daily schedule. Attention is scarce, and we must teach our children to find the truth beyond the limitations of their phones.
Let’s not squander our attention but rather invest it in something meaningful.
