What can I do if my child daydreams or gets distracted a lot? 

Parenting Perspective 

Observe and Adjust 

Children often daydream or drift when tasks feel long, repetitive, or unengaging. Begin by observing when and why your child gets distracted. Is it nearing the end of the day, when they are hungry, tired, or bored? Use this insight to adjust study blocks, shorten them, add a movement break, or reschedule the task for a fresher moment. You can ask, ‘What made your mind wander just then?’ This invites your child to notice their own attention patterns and develop self-awareness. 

Make Tasks More Engaging 

If disinterest triggers distraction, make tasks more engaging. Pair learning with something they enjoy. For example, they could study vocabulary while illustrating the words, or practise maths using measuring cups in the kitchen. Alternate between focused study and creative or physical activities to maintain energy and enthusiasm. Observe what lights up your child, fun quizzes, drawing, explaining to someone else, and integrate those elements. Over time, these gentle rhythms help build focus without pressure. Praise small moments of sustained attention to reinforce their new habits. 

Spiritual Insight 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Kahf (18), Verse 28: 

“(O my Servant) show restraint upon yourself, (and join) with the company of those people who pray to their Sustainer… “

This Verse encourages us to surround ourselves with reminders and focus on what nourishes the soul. For a child, this means guiding their attention toward meaningful activity and away from distractions that scatter their mind. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3692, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: 

“Among the signs of a good Muslim is to leave what does not concern him. “

Redirecting attention with gentleness is not avoidance, it is mindfulness. It teaches children to focus on what matters and to let go of what does not serve their purpose. 

When a child drifts into daydreams, remind them quietly: ‘Let us come back to what matters right now.’ In this way, attention becomes a gentle habit of returning to purpose. Unlike rigid focus, this spiritual practice cultivates a calm, responsive mind that knows when to pause and when to proceed, and it grows from a place of awareness, not pressure.