Many children have trouble paying attention-- some more than others. While nearly all children and teens struggle with feeling distracted at times, about 20% have at
least moderate difficulties with inattention and distractibility and 4-5% have severe difficulties.
It’s important to note that sometimes, just being part of this fast-paced media-saturated world can be a challenge. There is so much to look at and hear! Many people believe that when kids aren’t paying attention, they are doing this on purpose- but this is typically not the case. Focus issues are real and valid.
(1) Tune into basics: If your child is hungry, tired, thirsty, worried or sick-- these are all things that can make focus a struggle. Ensure that your child isn’t, for example, leaving for school without eating
breakfast and gets a good night’s sleep. Taking care of these basic things can often work wonders.
(2) Talk to your children about focus and discuss how they can “catch and correct” themselves. This isn’t about shame- it’s just about noticing. If your children catch themselves zoning out or focusing on something other than what they are supposed
to focus on in that moment (for example, their teacher explaining a math concept), have them acknowledge it in their head, and then refocus. They might change the way they are sitting, move their body, pick up a pen to write down what is being said, or do whatever works for them to help pay attention.
(3) Take note: When is your child having trouble with focus? Is it constant or is it during a particular time of day? Is it after lunch in school? Before doing homework? Before school? Is it
on specific days of the week? Once you and your child figure out the patterns, you may be able to figure out next steps.
Finally, ask for help. Your child’s teacher or coach may be able
to offer some insight into what they are seeing and your child’s pediatrician may be able to
offer some strategies that could address the issue. You don’t have to figure it out on your own!
Here are just a few of the ways we build Focus within our students here at California Defense Academy.
1.) Anchors - We have phrases that we say constantly throughout our classes where the instructor says part of the phrase and the students repeat it back. This is a great way to pull the kids minds back in when they start to drift.
2.) Fast Paced Environment - We know how difficult it can be to get kids to maintain their focus so we practice “Disguised Repetition” Where we are constantly changing the way in which they practice their technique.
3.) Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic - Each child learns differently so we make sure all of our Demos / Instructions / Drills include all 3 learning styles.
4.) Parents want all sorts of things (Focus, Confidence, Discipline, etc…) Kids just want Fun. All of our classes are designed to fulfill all the things the kids need in a way that makes it FUN for them to learn!
Here’s to your success and we can’t wait to see you in class soon!!
