Introduction

Elementary students often encounter distractions from their peers, making it difficult for them to concentrate on learning. To help students stay focused, educators can teach them the skill of ignoring others’ behavior when it’s distracting or not following the rules. By staying calm and not engaging with the distractions, students can make better choices, maintain their focus, and continue learning.

No-Prep Activity: The Focus Bubble

This simple activity requires no preparation or materials and helps students practice ignoring distractions. Here’s how it works:

1. Ask students to sit in a circle or at their desks.
2. Explain that they will be creating an imaginary “focus bubble” around themselves.
3. Have students close their eyes and imagine a bubble forming around them, blocking out all distractions.
4. Now, ask the students to silently concentrate on a specific task, such as counting to 20 or reciting the alphabet in their heads.
5. While they are focusing, create some minor distractions, such as dropping a pencil or playing a soft sound.
6. After a few minutes, ask students to open their eyes and discuss how they were able to maintain their focus despite the distractions.

Discussion Questions

• What strategies did you use to stay focused on your task during the activity?
• How did you feel when you were able to ignore the distractions and concentrate on your task?
• What are some situations in which you might need to ignore distractions at school? How about at home?
• Why is it important to stay focused on learning and not get distracted by others’ behavior?
• Do you think practicing this skill will help you in other areas of your life? If so, how?

Related Skills

Besides ignoring distractions, there are several related skills that can help students maintain focus and make good choices. Some of these skills include:

• Self-awareness: Recognizing when and why they are getting distracted.
• Self-regulation: Using strategies, such as deep breathing or counting, to regain focus when distracted.
• Active listening: Paying close attention to the speaker and not allowing distractions to divert their focus.
• Goal-setting: Establishing clear objectives and working towards them, despite distractions.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned about teaching students to ignore distractions and stay focused on learning, it’s time to explore other essential skills that can help students succeed both in and out of the classroom. To access free samples of these skills and other valuable resources, sign up at Everyday Speech today.