My son who is 7 and in 2nd grade sometimes has trouble focusing and paying attention in class. He will make sounds and play with his fingers and sometimes he's missing what's going on. Ultimately he's the one who has to deal with the consequences of his actions, but I'm wondering if anyone has some strategies that can help kids who need to focus.
How does his teacher address this? Does he or she call his name to bring him back into the discussion? Is there a classroom discipline strategy so that he gets warnings about his behavior (and therefore has an incentive to meet the goal of paying attention?)
How much sleep does he get at night? More sleep might help him to be more attentive.
A lot of kids that age just need to wiggle. Can you talk to the teacher to work out some sort of "wiggle" strategy that won't be distracting to him or the other kids? Sometimes kids are allowed to put a "Swiss Disc" on their chair, which allows them a little movement on their seat. Some classrooms are even switching to sitting on big exercise balls instead of hard chairs for this reason. Swiss Discs are available on line if his teacher would allow that.
When my daughter was in kindergarten is when her started , I told her to wiggle her toes if she felt the need to wiggle, etc. Try it you have to really concentrate to wiggle your toes.
Also sometimes teachers will put the rough side of velcro on the underside of their desk sometimes rubbing it will help them refocus. or putting a rubber band on his arm and when he feels himself starting to not pay attention snap the rubber band will help him refocus.
These are all some things parents and teachers with ADHD kids use to refocus them.
Not saying your son has it just that the strategies might work.
1) Feed him a high protein breakfast every day....eggs, or sausages or bacon with a multi grain toast or healthy cereal. Don't give him any junk food. Send in fresh fruit and cheese as a snack. Stay clear of all processed foods in the morning. He can have a treat when he gets home.
2) Remind him gently and consistently what he is doing and how it does not allow him to focus on the teacher and the material as well. With time he'll catch himself.
My son is an extremely bright young boy and makes all kinds of sounds, humming, whistling, clicking, tells great stories and jokes, can entertain the entire class when the teacher is steps out....BUT, his sounds are disturbing to others and we finally got a handle on it. It took some time. For him, sugar makes it worse...so absolutely no junk cereal on school days. I let him buy a few favorite boxes over the summer and once in a while on the weekends.
Best of luck!
I think you need to check with his teacher. She would be the "expert" at what could help him focus in class. You need to be active, which it sounds like you are, and stay on top of it so he doesn't get behind in classwork. I hope you find something that helps. My son is also in second grade and I have worked with the teacher on some things to help him and he's doing much better. Good luck!
Children lose focus when they lose what the teacher is explaining. If the teacher says a word or a concept they don't get, that's when the "thought train derails."
Some parents think their kids have ADHD. ADHD has very specific characteristics, and just not paying attention in class doesn't mean ADHD.
When children are very young, they don't always understand what happened enough to ask the teacher, they just fidget and goof around. They don't even realize why they've stopped paying attention. It's really up to the teacher to spot this.
You could just talk to him about some of the things he does when he loses focus, and get him to raise his hand and let the teacher know he doesn't understand what's going on. Tell him "next time you are playing with your fingers, I want you to raise your hand and tell the teacher you need some help." This might help him realize that the fidgety things he's doing are a sign that he needs some help.
Maybe your son needs to be seated closer to where the teacher is standing when she teaches.
great advice already.
I second the "Eat a good protein for breakfast." I give my 2 yr old french toast often, as the slice of bread I use (cinnamon raisin) soaks up one whole egg. The trick -- the NIGHT BEFORE, put one egg, splash of vanilla, a shake of cinnamon in a sandwich bag. Mix up. Put in one slice of yummy healthy bread. Toss in the fridge. Before bed, turn it over so egg will soak a little more evenly. In the morning, just put in a teflon pan with a little butter. If you get those Omega 3 eggs, this is a very good breakfast!
Also -- perhaps the teacher will allow something taped to his desk ... some sort of reminder. Like "ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?" or "Don't look here. Look at the teacher."
Good luck. You are a good mom to stay on top of this.
My daughter's second grade all sat on big exercise balls instead of chairs. This gave them something physical to do (it takes muscle action just to stay on the balls) while sitting. Is this something your school would consider?
How well does hje focus in other situations?
Church, rides in the car, watching a show, going to a sporting event?
Review his overall ability to focus. Whichever has the best attention to task, think about why itis best. Try to build that type of situation in more areas.
If it is sporting events, think of the things that happen in soports and start putting it on paper. Make list of things with him about the sport. Get books for him to read that inclued sporting activities. Have him talk about the pictures of what you are reading. Have him cut out picture and paste them in his own book. Start a photo album of hings he likes.
All these things are about something he likes. He has to sit still and discuss, find, chat, and all the other stuff that would happen in a classroom setting. As he grows in his ability to sit still, you will learn to assist him with his stillness by givign him the tools to be relaxed and learn.
This is about finding out what works for him and building on it. Dont fret over the restlessness. Use his energy in a positive way.
You will be surprised what you learn about yourself as you work with him and what you learn about your son as well.
Have a great experience.
Whether your child has ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or not, there are excellent ideas for parents & teachers in the ADDitude magazine. Go online to subscribe.
Talk to the teacher and see if she will let him have a squeezy toy in his pocket. He can squeeze it when he's distracted and it may help him focus. Also, talk the OT at your school for advice.
Hi C.,
Looking at his food source is important to remove any distractions there: Sugar's, fats, empty food, no microwave anything ever...Lot's of good (non-tap) water, no pop. Some natural and safe oils that I use work very well to help focus and lower the distractions. The oils we use affect the limbic system in our brains in a positive, simple, safe, and effective way. Let me know if you would like more specifics! Your family and son will love it.
I agree with trying natural means
talk to the teacher
wiggle seats, stress balls, etc.
every child deserves to sit close to the teacher, but he could be rotated to stay in the front half.
protein shakes for breakfast
Omega3 supplements
no simple carbs or artificial ingredients
exercise/play/run in the morning before school
check http://K..myshaklee.com
in the search button enter Mighty Smarts and also mealshakes
pm me if questions
Does he focus (pay attention) for a reasonable length of time when it's something he enjoys? A game of catch, watching bugs, or some other activity? If not, talk to your pediatrician. If yes, then work with his teacher to make sure the activities at school are the right length for his attention span (and for all the other kids' too!)
My daughter was like that. She would get distracted easily if other kids around her shifted in their seats. Yes, a good breakfast is the best way to start the day but it did not make a difference. Every year I sent the teacher a note just giving a little info about my kids, and they all loved it. Well, in her note, I would put in that she has a little trouble staying on task in class and focusing on what the teacher was talking about. Putting her near the front of the class, closer to the teachers desk helped tremendously. If the teacher noticed that she was not paying attn, she would tap her desk. It got her back to the present assignment.. Now she has no trouble at all and is a fantastic student. I think 3rd grade was the last time she sat near the teach, maybe halfway through.
