Placentia and Yorba Linda Karate Blog: 3 Keys for Developing Better Focus (for Kids)

Do you know someone who can’t sit still? What about a daydreamer always off in another land? Maybe easily distracted sometimes? Maybe you’re one of those people, or perhaps your child or loved one.

Contrary to popular belief, focus isn’t a natural skill. It’s not something you have or you don’t. The ability to stay focus takes practice and proper training, just like riding a bike or learning martial arts.

Research has shown us that there are 3 key components to developing better focus in our children:

1) Healthy nutritious foods are KEY!

Today’s food for kids is a lot different than they were 20-30 years ago. Sure, we all had Kool-Aid and cookies. But if you look at today’s nutrition facts compared to 20 years ago, there are more and more preservatives and sugar than ever before!

We can all guess what happens when we have kids hyped up on sugar. Of course they’re not able to focus! In addition to sugar, be aware of excess artificial colors and flavors. I know one child diagnosed with ADHD who just after changing his diet (no medications or other significant changes) was a completely different kid – just after 4 weeks!

2) Build a structured lifestyle and programs

I have a lot of students who come to me saying their kids respond way differently at school and in karate class than they do anywhere else. The key to this is developing a structured lifestyle.

At school, and in karate class, the kids have a set pattern and a set of consistent expectations. Home is naturally not going to be as consistent, due to ever-changing variables!

The goal is to make home as consistent as possible. Have a set routine after-school, and even during the summer times! Have clear expectations of what happens after school. Have a snack (a healthy one!). Have a little free time; start homework. Go to bed at a consistent time, even on weekends. Wake up at the same time. All this goes into building that structure that will help children develop long-term focus.

3) Regular, Structured Exercise

Exercise is a huge part of developing focus for children. Kids naturally are balls of energy. If we don’t give them an outlet for that energy, they’re going to explode. That’s when we see the symptoms of inappropriate behavior.

It’s essential for the exercise to be both structured and regular to develop better focus. If the kids are doing something constructive, which takes hard work and discipline, like swimming on martial arts, they’re not going to sharpen their focus muscles.

At American Martial Arts Academy, we have seen huge leaps and bounds in our students’ focus and self-discipline, resulting in better grades and behavior. For more information on our programs and multiple campuses in Orange County, or if you just need some advice, give us a call at (714) 646-9635.