Focused Attention in the Classroom: What We Can Pass On to Students

Kristijan Musek Lešnik
Nov 12, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Attention is the gateway to learning, creativity, and self-regulation—but constant notifications and multitasking habits erode it. Focused attention helps young people filter distractions, notice what matters, and respond with clarity—to the world around them and their inner experience.

“Bottom line for classrooms: Multitasking is a myth. Focus is a teachable skill.”

The Power of Focus

Focused attention is one of the most essential life skills — the ability to gather our thoughts and direct them toward one meaningful activity. It allows us to notice what matters, filter distractions, and respond with clarity — both to the world around us and to what’s happening within us.

Attention connects us to:

our inner world (feelings, emotions, interests, needs), and
our outer world (sounds, people, images, situations).

Through attention, we consciously guide our mind’s energy — focusing it on what’s important, and holding that focus long enough to achieve understanding, mastery, or calm.

Attention is the gateway to learning, creativity, and self-regulation.

The Myth of Multitasking

We often hear that today’s children — “Generation Z” — are natural multitaskers. But neuroscience tells a different story: the human brain can only focus fully on one thing at a time. Students might try to study while listening to music, or text while reading — but divided attention always comes with a cost. Instead of doing two things well, we do both less effectively.

Why Attention Matters More Than Ever

In recent years, neuroscience has shown what teachers and parents have long observed: excessive screen time, especially on smartphones, is weakening children’s ability to concentrate. Constant notifications and endless scrolling train the brain to seek instant gratification, not deep engagement. This affects not only learning and memory, but also emotional balance and patience.

As digital devices become a growing part of childhood, it’s vital that schools and families also nurture the counterbalance —the ability to focus deeply, calmly, and intentionally. Mindfulness and attention-training programs in schools show benefits for stress regulation and cognitive performance—for both young people and educators.

The School as a Training Ground for Focus

Classrooms — like sports fields — are among the few places where children still practice sustained attention. Learning to focus on one thing at a time — a story, a math problem, a conversation — builds neural pathways that support problem-solving, emotional regulation, and creativity.

The ability to focus is a lifelong advantage. Children who learn to control their attention are better equipped to handle challenges, stay calm under pressure, and think clearly in a noisy world.

What I Can Do for Children and Youth

Plan engaging activities that require sustained attention — and gently guide them back when focus drifts.
Create calm, distraction-free spaces that support concentration.
Avoid giving multiple tasks at once — limit divided attention.
Maintain consistent daily routines that create predictability and focus.
Teach them relaxation techniques (mindful breathing, stretching, short pauses).
Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps to sustain motivation and focus.

What I Can Do for Myself

When I come home, I put my phone away — use it only for calls, not scrolling.
I make sure to get enough rest — tiredness erodes focus faster than distraction.
I divide big tasks into smaller goals, so I can stay concentrated and celebrate progress.
I practice mindfulness, meditation, or similar activities — simple routines that strengthen awareness and calm.
I allow myself moments of stillness — noticing my breath, my thoughts, and the present moment.

Final Thought

Attention is more than a cognitive skill — it’s an act of presence. When young people learn to focus, they learn to connect — to themselves, to others, and to the beauty of this very moment.

“Where your attention goes, your energy flows.” We can teach children and youth to direct both wisely.