Talk

Flip

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Education

Boy, 9 years old, concentrations span of a... oooh look at that dog!

9 replies

nicename · 13/10/2013 12:03

He just can't concentrate for more than five minutes.

He has two modes - either work is easy/he enjoys it and he doesn't have to try (he is very good at maths) or he is in his own little world (so will drag out his science project work only to realise he hasn't read the question and done completely the wrong thing).

He has some talent at raquet sports. His coach said 'my god, he really is very good - when he concentrates...'.

Can you teach a child focus and concentration? He is usually trying to do/think about lots of things at once.

I have very little focus myself whereas his dad is like a bloody terrier. Either extreme isn't great, is it?

Is there a way to 'teach' him concentration? I'm worried about when he has to sit exams and will just get bored after two minutes stare out of the window.

OP posts:

Report

lljkk · 13/10/2013 19:38

Does he ever hyperfocus or is he always scatty?

Report

MagratGarlik · 13/10/2013 23:31

My ds1 is 8.5 years. He is very bright, but can't concentrate for long. I'm assured by DM (a primary teacher) that this is normal for boys of this age. I'm not worrying about exams yet (he's too young), but he does do karate which has appeared to help his concentration (a little).

Report

nicename · 14/10/2013 07:34

He can sit and read for ages - but often he will do it whilst fiddling with a toy or puzzle!

OP posts:

Report

throckenholt · 14/10/2013 07:43

I have another one like that - he is 12 now. When he concentrates he can do most things easily - but he is often off in his own little world. You can look at him and tell straight away that he isn't there. No idea how to deal with it to be honest.

We home ed so the most common thing I say to him is "concentrate !". If he were at school he would likely be in trouble with teachers a lot because he would rarely have any idea what they were supposed to be doing because he wasn't listening.

I'm hoping he will learn to focus when he sees the need.

Report

nicename · 14/10/2013 07:46

Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to 'switch' it on? I'm sure there's a way, if only we could find it!

OP posts:

Report

WaitingForMe · 14/10/2013 07:56

The fiddling jumped out at me. It might be worth looking through a checklist of symptoms for dyspraxia.

Report

throckenholt · 14/10/2013 07:57

I often ponder where the on off switch is - because it would be brilliant to be able to switch on at a given point in time when needed.

I don't think it is uncommon though - so maybe we need to start a self help group - for parents of kids who go mentally AWOL :)

I often feel sorry for teachers - how do they cope with these kids at school ?!

Report

throckenholt · 14/10/2013 07:59

By the way - I read somewhere that fiddling with a toy is actually helpful to concentration - giving their fingers something to do allows the brain to focus on other stuff. Not sure if that really works or not with mine - all 3 of mine fiddle with stuff - but I am never sure if it is helping or hindering concentration.

Report

nicename · 14/10/2013 08:18

This takes me back to my primary 5 teacher:
"Ahye cann-not ahbide fiddlers!' (thick morningside accent).

I like 'mentally AWOL'. I'm actually the same.