Sitting down to read a book requires a great deal of focus. This can be a challenge for restless or reluctant young readers who struggle to pay attention while reading or being read aloud to.

Focusing on reading a book is something that even adults struggle to do. Low concentration and attention levels are common issues for many young children and can affect the way they learn and retain new information at school.

If the student struggles to stay focused while reading, here are six helpful ways you can help them improve:

 

1. Break up their reading time

The student may feel more motivated to start reading if they know they won't be expected to sit for long periods of time. Encourage the student to take regular reading breaks every 10 minutes. Make it fun by having them stop, put down their book, and do ten star jumps or run on the spot.

2. Create a distraction‑free zone

The student should have a comfortable and quiet place to read. Create a reading environment that is free from distractions like electronics or other students.

3. Get creative

The student may struggle to read the first page of a book, but have no problems spending 30 minutes building pictures with wooden craft sticks. A child's level of focus depends on how interested they are in the activity. Get creative and turn the reading experience into a fun hands‑on activity. You can role‑play scenes from a book as you read aloud together, or have the student shape the letters of different words using craft sticks or play dough.

4. Observe the student's interest

What has the student been talking about recently? They may have taken up an interest in dinosaurs, trucks, witches, or horses. Whatever the student is fascinated by, find a book you know they will love.  

Give the student some choices. Allow kids to decide which books to read, games to play or the order in which they want to do them. Choice increases motivation, and motivation increases sustained attention.

5. Tutor after physical activity

Educational experts have long made the link between physical activity and improved concentration levels.  Consider tutoring after the student's P.E. class.  Before the student sits down to read, encourage them to engage in a quick exercise to help “wake up” their mind.

6. Provide fun instructions

Create excitement about reading by singing your instructions or using a piece of music or a fun sound to prompt reading time. Give the student a 'Reading Bear' which they can sit with, hold on their lap, or read aloud to during reading time.

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GAMES:

Play a game using a ball or the large reading comprehension dice.  Read a story together and have the student throw a dice across the room, read the question out loud and answer the question.  Throw a ball back and forth asking questions about the story or you can call out a letter and have them name a word that starts with or rhymes with that letter.

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1. Allowing breaks or time to move around;

1. Allowing breaks or time to move around;