Macquarie Anglican Grammar School

Mrs Kelly Munge – Early Years Stage Leader

“If you are interested in something, you will focus on it, and if you focus attention on anything, it is likely that you will become interested in it. Many of the things we find interesting are not so by nature, but because we took the trouble of paying attention to them.” - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1998), Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life

Our Teaching and Learning Framework supports students to develop their ability to cultivate habits that enhance their ability to focus, adapt and engage deeply with their learning.

Focusing is a critical skill that supports deep, effective learning. By developing habits of absorption, managing distractions and reflecting on their learning processes, students can enhance their ability to focus and, consequently, improve their overall learning capabilities.

Practical Strategies for Enhancing Focus

• Teach Absorption: Encourage learners to immerse themselves fully in tasks by minimising distractions and setting clear, engaging goals.
• Use Mindfulness Techniques: Incorporate mindfulness practices into the learning routine to help learners develop the ability to focus more deeply.
• Build Resilience: Foster a learning environment where persistence is valued, helping learners stay focused even when they encounter difficulties.
• Encourage Reflection: Regularly prompt learners to reflect on their focusing habits and how these impact their learning outcomes.

Focusing offers students a multitude of benefits, including enhanced academic performance through deeper understanding and improved memory retention, leading to more efficient learning. It fosters the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills by allowing students to analyse information and approach challenges methodically. Additionally, focusing helps students manage their time effectively, complete tasks on schedule and build self-discipline, which in turn can reduce stress and anxiety. This ability to concentrate can also boost emotional wellbeing by providing a sense of achievement and confidence, improve classroom behaviour and participation, and lay a strong foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.