In primary schools, many classrooms have more than twenty students, so it’s not surprising that children can get easily distracted. Another factor is that students nowadays often receive more individual attention. When given an assignment to work on independently, some children may need help from the teacher, or parts of the class work individually while others work in groups. This can quickly make the classroom noisy.
Even during quiet moments, children can be distracted by sounds such as whispering classmates, a falling pencil, a teacher walking by, someone moving a chair, a page turning, or traffic outside. Not every child is affected by these sounds, but even soft noises can disrupt children who are sensitive to sound—something often seen in children with ADHD or autism.
Wearing earmuffs (headphones) in class is the most effective way to reduce background noise and create a calmer environment. Children are then much less easily distracted by auditory stimuli, making it easier for them to focus on their tasks. A noise-cancelling headset can also be particularly useful when children use tablets for school assignments.
