One of my first cars as a teen was a used red Dodge Colt. It was a standard shift which happened to appeal to the car thieves in my neighborhood at the time. I frankly didn't feel my little car was worth an alarm, and the Club, an antitheft steering wheel device, was taken as a joke by most. So it was incredibly satisfying to find out my little "Betty" had it's own anti-theft device.The car's former owner, in their wisdom, had installed a kill switch. If switched, it disallowed a perfectly working car to start. It was an inconspicuous toggle in the cabin. Someone would have to know my car personally to identify it.  If I'm not mistaken most cars have a kill switch or something like it that can keep it from starting with a switch of a button. 

How important is focus? Focus is defined as "an act of concentrating interest or activity on something".  It is the prerequisite to engaging any material meaningfully.  It is the point by which a fire of understanding is started.  Focus is extremely important. In a sought after car, it would be the "kill switch". The seemingly insignificant switch, that in reality, determines whether learning goals are met.  A perfectly capable child is often unable to grasp or illustrate their knowledge due to a lack of focus.The thing is we all have an innate ability to focus- on something. Our minds are always preoccupied- with something. The problem is, it is often not the things the curriculum is made of.  

I tutor a very bright 5th grader who knows and articulates his math one minute and the next he is following the sounds of voices in the room next door. He has moments of clicking on that kill switch. He answers with understanding but when brought to task, I can see him fighting with the thieves of his attention.  This is in a one on one with me. Imagine the places his mind goes in the classroom of another 20 kids with pencils dropping, hands waving, and paper rustling.
These exercises will help bring awareness to what it takes to concentrate and be a training ground to practice concentration skills outside academics. Every child is different and will respond accordingly.  Regardless, each exercise promotes, in addition to focus, social engagement, following instructions, critical thinking, playing, and more.  

In the lessons that follow, you will be introduced to 5 games curated to promote practicing focus.
In the world of acting, I use these exercises to help actors practice being in the moment.

In the world of teaching, these same exercises can be used to help students practice giving attention to one thing, active listening, and perseverance.