The first thing a beginner has to do is not to overshoot the mark and to align their present position with the appropriate doctrine. Any degree of bodily or mental calm is conducive to concentration:
"[5] For one enraptured at heart, the body grows calm and the mind grows calm. When the body & mind of a monk enraptured at heart grow calm, then serenity as a factor for awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.
“[6] For one who is at ease — his body calmed — the mind becomes concentrated. When the mind of one who is at ease — his body calmed — becomes concentrated, then concentration as a factor for awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.”—MN 118
These instructions are linked to the development of skills in the first and second tetrads in part A of the Anapanasati sutta, where the body and mind are calmed.
An even more basic position for development of concentration are the contemplations described in AN 11.13, addressed to a layperson with family commitments, and does not include the more advanced stage of meditation on the breath:
" [2] “Furthermore, there is the case where you recollect the Dhamma: ‘The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One, to be seen here & now, timeless, inviting verification, pertinent, to be realized by the wise for themselves.’ At any time when a disciple of the noble ones is recollecting the Dhamma, his mind is not overcome with passion, not overcome with aversion, not overcome with delusion. His mind heads straight, based on the Dhamma. And when the mind is headed straight, the disciple of the noble ones gains a sense of the goal, gains a sense of the Dhamma, gains joy connected with the Dhamma. In one who is joyful, rapture arises. In one who is rapturous, the body grows calm. One whose body is calmed experiences ease. In one at ease, the mind becomes concentrated.”
In this thread others are discussing their experience with this latter method: