How do I make DS1 (nearly 10) concentrate ..........

[merlin]

in class. Actually make him realise how important it is?

I am at my wits end with him - also his blase attitude to his handwriting which is causing his work to sometimes being incorrectly marked.

Any tips please? other than nagging

YOU can't MAKE him do anything! Nagging - as if you would!If you have told him how important it is then YES he already knows.
Why isn't he concerned about his work being incorrectly marked?

Did you watch Gareth Malone's programme about teaching boys? In short 'you have to make things FUN & COMPETITIVE'.

Can you find some competitive games, to play with him, which require a lot of concentration? He will learn from this playing experience. He needs plenty of support if he is feeling bored/frustrated at school.
Has he a MALE role model who can explain things to him - sorry 'Mums' will not do at his age - he needs a man to talk to?

Read a book on bringing up boys - very very helpful.

Tell him he is going to do 10 mins a day and make that an absolute routine, plan whatever it is that needs reinforcing and do it every day. After that he is free to do what he likes.

It may be that he needs to concentrate for longer but if you get him to work through something he is stuck on etc you might see some results?

You can't make him concentrate, just keep tellimg him to try. Is his handwritng unreadable and is it that he can't write more neatly or just can't be bothered?
If he is really having trouble concentrating and he is unable to write neatly it may be that he has Dyspraxia.

bump. Also looking for ideas to help my 9 year old concentrate in class...