Attention and Learning: Building Stronger Focus

Attention is the gateway to all learning. Without it, even the clearest explanations or the most engaging activities cannot reach their full potential. Neuroscience research, particularly by Professor Stanislas Dehaene, shows that attention is not simply “listening,” but an active brain mechanism that selects relevant information and filters out distractions.

In his book How We Learn (Apprendre ! Les talents du cerveau, le défi des machines, 2013), Dehaene emphasizes that attention is one of the four essential pillars of learning, alongside active engagement, feedback from errors, and consolidation. Among these pillars, attention is fundamental: without it, the other mechanisms cannot function effectively.

In children, attention supports all the skills and knowledge they acquire. When children are focused, their neural connections strengthen, consolidating learning and making acquired skills more durable.

At Kintess School, we apply these neuroscience principles in our daily teaching. Teachers organize lessons in small steps, alternate activities to maintain engagement, and introduce refocusing practices before each session to prepare children to concentrate. These practices may include breathing exercises, gentle movements, sensory games, or gradual transitions between activities. Classrooms are designed to limit visual and auditory distractions, and teachers adapt their pace to the cognitive needs of the children, alternating between individual work, collaborative activities, and hands-on learning.

Attention at Kintess School is not limited to intellectual work. Children benefit from regular breaks, active play, and creative activities that allow the brain to rest while still learning. Peer interactions are encouraged: small group projects and collaborative activities strengthen focus and stimulate social and emotional learning.

For parents, supporting children’s attention also involves the home environment. Families can provide calm moments, reduce sources of distraction, value efforts to concentrate, and encourage exploration and curiosity. By combining support at home with Kintess’ educational practices, children develop strong and lasting attention skills that will serve them throughout life.

As Stanislas Dehaene emphasizes in How We Learn (Apprendre !), “attention is a precious resource, which develops and strengthens through education.” At Kintess School, we do everything possible to help each child exercise this fundamental pillar and fully realize their intellectual, social, and emotional potential.

Stanislas Dehaene, How We Learn (Apprendre ! Les talents du cerveau, le défi des machines, Odile Jacob, 2013).