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Paying Attention

Justin, a third-grader, couldn't seem to concentrate on his schoolwork. He was restless and often didn't pay attention in class. His grades suffered - along with his confidence. Like Justin, many children have trouble focusing their attention and concentrating. Often, it's because of stress and attention.

If your child is easily distracted or can't seem to sit still, ask yourself: "What's going in my child's life? Is his schedule too hectic? Is he having problems with other students? Is our family under more stress than usual?"

Try some of these ideas at home if your child has trouble paying attention:

Establish household routines and clear rules for behavior. Loving discipline in the early years will help your child develop better self-control.

Help your child set small goals during study time. Example: Let him take a short break after every five spelling words.

If your child is overly active, make sure he has opportunities to work off extra energy each day: a bike ride, a ball game, or a game of tag - especially before homework.

Keep instructions short and give them one at a time. As your child's attention span grows, you can add more instructions.

Play games that t improve your child's listening and attention skills, such as I Spy, Twenty Questions, and Simon Says. Also, have him listen to stories and songs on tape.