If you want to gain a child's attention in class you will have to prepare them. Make sure they are sitting at their desks or chairs, not running around the classroom. Before you start trying to teach, make sure everyone has any books or notebooks they need out, and has put away anything like coats, hats, cell phones, or beepers. Anything that distracts your students will draw away their attention.

When you begin teaching, be sure you have prepared the material you are going over. Few things are more annoying to a student than having to listen to a teacher make up lessons as they go along. You should have some material to present and some examples to work and some work for the students to do.

If you want to hold the attention of your students you will have to interact with them. Nothing is more boring than a teacher who does nothing but read lessons or write notes on the blackboard or overhead. Ask questions of your students. Call on them to answer these questions. Make in-class assignments for them to work out and have some of the students read their answers.

You should be open to answering questions while you teach. If one student does not understand some point you make, chances are others will be lost as well. Allow students to ask questions pertaining to your lessons and this will help everyone pay attention as you give them lucid and interesting explanations. Do not ignore your students.

It's hard to pay attention if a subject is not interesting. Do all you can to relate class work to the real world. Use examples from life when presenting math or science problems. Ask students what they would do if placed in the position of some fictional character when studying literature. Have students compete in spelling bees. Break students up into groups to discuss class material. There are many ways to hold a child's attention. You do not have to perform circus tricks or apply flashing lights in class, just be prepared with enough learning material and make class an educational experience rather than a waste of time.

Learn more about this author, William Remski.
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