Games to Improve Concentration and Attention for Children with ADHD

Children with ADHD often struggle to maintain attention and concentration. Games focused on these skills can help improve their ability to focus while also providing enjoyment and motivation. Below are some proven games that parents, teachers, or therapists can incorporate into their activities with children to help them develop these key skills.

1. Kim's Game

Description:
Kim's Game is a great game for strengthening memory and attention. You only need a few different items, such as keys, dice, small toys, or a book. The game is simple to set up and children usually enjoy it.

How to play:

1. Place 5-10 items on a tray or table.
2. Let the child look at the items for a certain period, for example, 1 minute.
3. Cover the items with a cloth or remove them from the room.
4. Ask the child to remember and name as many items as they saw.

Why this game is suitable:
Kim's Game develops memory and attention because the child must pay attention to details and remember what they saw. The game can be easily adapted – you can change the number of items or the time the child can look at them according to the child's abilities.

2. "Find the Difference" Cards

Description:
"Find the Difference" is a visual game that requires concentration and the ability to recognize details. The game is popular and can often be found in children's magazines or books.

How to play:

1. Use two similar images with small differences.
2. The child's task is to find and mark all the differences between the two images.
3. You can start with simpler images and gradually move on to more complex ones.

Why this game is suitable:
"Find the Difference" game helps children develop attention to detail and trains visual attention. They must focus carefully to find the differences, which promotes concentration and patience. This type of game can also be played in different versions on a computer or tablet, which may be an additional motivation for children with ADHD.

3. Memory Game (Pexeso)

Description:
Memory Game, also known as Pexeso, is a classic memory game that almost everyone knows. It is a simple game with cards that form pairs. The game is easy to set up and great for children of different ages.

How to play:

1. Spread all the cards face down on the table.
2. The child (or players) turn over two cards at a time, looking for matching pairs.
3. If they find a pair, they can keep it and continue. If not, they turn the cards back face down, and the game continues with the next turn.

Why this game is suitable:
Memory Game (Pexeso) develops visual memory and the ability to focus on individual cards. It helps children memorize where the cards were placed and also teaches patience. It is an excellent game for developing memory and concentration and can be easily played with multiple players, promoting social interaction as well.

4. "Simon Says" Game

Description:
"Simon Says" is a simple game that focuses on attention and the ability to react quickly. It is suitable for larger groups but can also be played in pairs.

How to play:

1. One player (Simon) gives instructions like "Simon says: put your hand on your head," "Simon says: lift your left leg," etc.
2. The child should listen and only follow the instructions that begin with "Simon says." If the instruction does not start with "Simon says," the child should not do anything.
3. If the child makes a mistake, they are out (or they can start a new round).

Why this game is suitable:
"Simon Says" game promotes attention and the ability to focus on details because the child must listen carefully and distinguish between