Have you ever told your
child to “pay attention?” I know I
have? What’s wrong with that
statement? First, if your child is more
literal in his understanding of
language, he may not “get” what “pay” attention means? Even if he understands what this phrase means
he may not have any idea how to do it or when he must do it. So how do I quit wasting my breath and help
my child to increase his attention?
First, I need to
understand what activates attention.
Here are some things that attention includes
1.Sustain attention and
filter: maintain alertness, filter out
distractions that compete for attention, resist distractions.
2.Shift attention: if attention is shifted too quickly,
distraction occurs, if attention is shifted
too slowly, inattention occurs, if individual is unable to shift attention,
he perseverates and is rigid thinker.
Strategies to try:
Use fill in blank with in conversation,
worksheets and reading to help the child narrow down what he must listen and
pay attention in order to get the answer.
· Explicit teaching about ignoring: when, how,
who and when not to. Ignoring takes
perspective taking, social filter and frustration skills. Practice ignoring. Teach self- monitoring.
· For
difficulty in shifting attention, give a warnings-we will have to transition to
the next station in 3 minutes. Use a
timer that gives a visual and auditory cue when it’s time to transition. A transition card or object helps some
children especially if they are young.
Attention
is an executive functioning skill. I’ve
probably frustrated my son many times by attempting to help him in ways that “don’t
help.” These ideas are just a few to get
you started with strategies that may be more effective than “Can’t you pay
attention to what you are doing?”
