Hyperfocus is defined by the UrbanDictionary as “a theoretical state of being or ability in which one is able to concentrate and focus on a particular subject so intensely, ultimately becoming oblivious to everything else around.” Experts recommend limiting preschooler’s screen time to 1-2 hours a day and elementary age kids to 2-3 hours a day.
You can help your children develop intentional focus and follow directions by playing these games with them:
- Clapping game:
- I clap out a rhythm and the children repeat it. This is fairly easy for most kids.
- Now change the rule so that when I clap once, the kids clap twice and when I clap twice, the kids clap once.
- You can make it as difficult as you want: when I clap once, kids clap twice, when I clap twice, the kids clap three times and when I clap three times the kids clap once.
- Even when kids can repeat the rule back to you, they typically fall back into clapping like you are clapping after a couple rounds.
- Red light, Green light. When I say red light the children stop. Green light means the children can walk again. If you walk on a red light, you go back to the starting line.
- Simon Says – only do behavior if I begin with “Simon says” like “Simon says touch your head.”
- Follow Me – Hop on one foot, skip, gallop, march, swing your arms in circles …
- Putting puzzles together.
- Playing board games.
