Preschool Concentration Games

By Emily Pate, eHow Contributor

Drawing is one of many activities that requires and nurtures creativity and concentration

1. Building concentration and focus is important for early childhood development, as these skills will be necessary throughout their education. For preschoolers, improving concentration often involves engaging them in games and activities geared toward their age group. There are some games they can play that maximize concentration growth.

   
   

   Memory Match Game

   • Memory is a game which improves concentration and, of course, memory. Students start out with a deck of memory game cards. You can find these in different styles and themes, such as zoo animals. Lay out all the cards face down next to each other. Each student picks out two cards and turns them over. If the cards match, that student puts them aside. If not, the cards get turned face down again. Trying to remember where previous cards are improves memory and concentration.

   Opposites

   • This game requires no supplies, however you could incorporate visual flashcards. According to David Anderson at Centre College, children (particularly the 65 percent who are visual learners) often absorb more information when they have something visual to correlate an idea with. During rug or down time, take a few minutes to give students a word, like "happy". Have them give you words that mean the opposite of that word (sad, angry). Since there are multiple words that can be correct, it will also help with vocabulary and language development.

   Missing Numbers

   • The missing numbers game involves counting numbers and leaving some out. For example, you might count to 10 and leave the numbers three and seven out. Have your students shout out the missing numbers. If they don't catch it, you can point out that you missed a number and move on.

   Tongue Twisters

   • Reciting tongue twisters requires students to concentrate on their vowel and consonant sounds, rely on their memory to remember the words and helps with speaking skills. Try twisters like, "She sell seashells by the seashore" or "rubber baby buggy bumpers". You can recite these as a group, or let each student recite the twister three times as fast as she can.

   Story Recalling

   • After reading a story to your students, ask them a few questions about the story. Ask them to remember certain details, "Why was this day special for Anna?" If your students have trouble remembering, re-read a short passage that directly answers the question. They'll make the connection, and it should help improve focus and concentration for them, especially during story time.

   Traditional Pastimes

   • Activities such as completing puzzles, drawing and playing boardgames all help build concentration levels, since they require creativity and focus. Engaging your students in a wide variety of activities like this will also help them make connections and apply knowledge learned in one activity to problem-solving in another.

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