The magical mystery tour of the mind, how it learns, comprehends information so it will remain intact, embed in ones memory is a process. It begins with strategies on how to manage common attention issues in children which improves their learning skills.
There are proven strategies which enhances better attention while managing learning issues. These solutions are by no means exhaustive, but are instead starting points for improved teaching. It’s found better to be more creative and inventive.
Heightened assessment awareness is needed by the parents and the teachers, combined with the cooperation of the children and the students that they serve. Together, they will then be able to create multiple alternate strategies for improved learning skills.
Removing The Mystery
The first step and possibly the most important management strategy is insuring that the student understands how basic attention works, while identifying and knowing their own profiles of their particular attention weaknesses. Then, they’ll be more open to be taught certain attention strategies and techniques.
Understanding Consistency And Inconsistency
Educators and parents should understand that the inconsistency of children who may have attention issues, isn’t because of a lack of motivation or a poor attitude.
The attention dysfunction is more a part of their biological makeup, and is usually beyond the students control.
Allow For Breaks And More Movement
Those who may have been identified with learning issues and poor focus, will need extended mental attention, by giving them additional opportunities for breaks so they can move around more.
For instance, teachers at school could ask the student to collect exam papers, erase the board, take a message to the office. Parents at home could schedule routine breaks and change their homework sites and times.
They could spend several minutes at the kitchen table and then move to the living room a short time later. Every time the location changes, the student experiences bursts of mental energy.
They usually also need to be constantly doing something with their hands while they’re seated or bored. They can fidget, doodle, or perform other manual tasks which enhances their alertness and arousal.
Varied Instruction
Teachers should be using various instructional strategies which should be changed every 15 to 20 minutes or so.
For instance, they could deliver a 20 minute instructional lecture, followed by a group discussion for 20 minutes, then a video presentation for the remaining 20 minutes.
Using Signals
The teacher and parents should develop a way of signaling the student when they lose focus, such as tapping their shoulder. Also, they could signal the student before something important is about to be said.
Looking right at them, the teacher could say, “Listen carefully. I am about to give you instructions about tomorrow’s exam.”
Increase Attention
The students attention will elevate whenever their interest is heightened. So they should be encouraged to read, write, and then discuss subjects that they’re intently interested in.
Their attention becomes enhanced when the information is relevant to them personally. For instance, if they need to learn a chronological timetable, the teacher could have the student write out a timetable of all the important events during their vacation.
Minimize Distraction
Those who are easily distracted should benefit more from a structured auditory environment. They may have to be seated near the front of the classroom so that distraction from the other students are minimized.
Patterns Which Are Frenetic
To help students to refrain from they rushing too quickly through what they’re doing, teachers and parents should avoid making certain statements such as, “You can go out and play once you finish your assignment,” or “You can watch TV once you finish doing your homework.”
These types of offers will usually inadvertently encourage the student to work too quickly and carelessly, making mistakes while paying less attention.
Getting As Organized As Possible
Construct a binder or notebook which is clearly labeled with sections, “Work To Be Completed” “Work That’s Completed” and “Saved Work” to help the student organize all of their assignments.
Color coding all the notebooks for different subjects can also be helpful for organizing work.
Using A Daily Planner
Students should use a structured daily planner to help them organize their assignments and activities. A planner that’s broken down by subject during the day, along with sufficient room to write any information that they need to. Alternately, using a personal digital assistant (PDA) can also be helpful.
Setting Up A Home Office
When at home, parents should set up a specific “homework” area for their children as they grow older, which they can organize and maintain themselves.
Parents can then set up a schedule once a week where their children can keep the area tidy and organized, that all supplies are stocked, such as pens and pencils, highlighters, paper, stapler, etc.
The student should be asked to find their best time of day for studying, being their most alert times of the day, and then post them as their “Office Hours.”
The student can also experiment with various kinds of background noises which works best for them while doing their homework. It’s found that some will actually concentrate better in a slightly noisy environment, such as listening to music in the background.
Allowing For Down Time
The majority of students with attention problems usually have trouble falling asleep at night. So it becomes helpful that they have a set established routine when going to bed.
For instance, they could read a book or have one read to them. They could drink a glass of warm milk or hot chocolate prior to going to sleep at a set time.
They might also listen to quiet music while falling asleep. “White noise,” such as a fan is also known to help in facilitating better sleep.