School is back in session. Teachers are teaching, and children everywhere are trying their hardest to learn as much as they can in the short amount of time they have to do it. I’m sure we can all agree that teaching is no joke. But learning everything teachers have to teach is no joke either. It can be stressful for children, and children don’t usually have the tools necessary to cope with stress and to stay focused. That’s why we are here. And that is why we created Hocus Focus!
Hocus Focus is a beautiful blend of Lime, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood Atlas, Petitgrain, and Vetiver. It is designed primarily to help support focus in children, equipping them to concentrate and stay on task throughout the day. It can be used in many different ways, including in the diffuser, a personal inhaler, or topically diluted at 2-4%. In addition to Hocus Focus, here are some additional steps parents (and teachers!) can take to ensure children stay focused and on-topic throughout their busy days.
This incredible new blend has a similar purpose and therapeutic benefits to our KidSafe blend A+ Attention, only with a different scent profile. It’s the perfect opportunity to mix things up!
One Thing at a Time
An easy thing to forget as adults is that children are not the best at multitasking. Jumping from one task to another with no warning or no transition can cause children to stress and lose focus. Help your child or students stay focused by equipping them and allowing them to knock out the task at hand one at a time. If it’s necessary to move on before they are finished, give them a warning ahead of time and help them transition smoothly over to the next task.
Give Them Realistic Expectations
Children thrive when they are given realistic expectations and goals that are actually possible for them to accomplish. Bigger goals or tasks can be made practical or possible for them to achieve if you take the time to break those goals or tasks down into smaller, bite-sized chunks. If the job is too big, children are going to lose interest and focus. Let them know ahead of time what is expected and when it’s expected. If the children in question can read, write it out for them, step by step. If they can’t read, use pictures to create a schedule or list of tasks and go over it with them.
Create a Focus-Based Learning Environment
Creating a focus-based learning environment for children, either at home or in the classroom, is SO important and can be easily accomplished. Give them a space to learn that is free from distraction. Remove any clutter and keep it clean and free of any unnecessary items that may cause them to lose interest or focus on their assignments. If you’re creating this unique focus-based learning environment or study corner at home, this would be the PERFECT time to diffuse Hocus Focus at half-hour intervals.
Maintain Consistent Routines
Consistent routines are a parent, teacher, and child’s best friend. When children know what to expect throughout the day, they tend to have less stress and more focus. It’s essential to set time aside for studying, homework, play, and sleep as well as any tasks in between. At home, the most critical consistent routines you can establish to help with focus are bedtime and wake up. Ensuring children go to bed on time each night will go a long way in improving their focus throughout each day. Making sure they wake up on time each morning and know what to expect will help them start their days off healthier and more stress-free. Doing so will also allow them to spend more energy at school, focusing on the different tasks at hand. Try diluting our Hocus Focus blend to 2% in an unscented lotion base to apply in the mornings before school to help give them that extra support in the morning to get them through the day.
For more KidSafe tips and DIYs, be sure to check out our Safe Essential Oil Recipes (SEOR) Facebook Group.
