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Poor concentration in 7yo DS

3 replies

Romann · 08/04/2012 19:58

Has anyone got any tips to help me help DS2 concentrate better? He's behind at school, and has always been so, and some of his behaviour is challenging. It's not a disaster, he can read and write, and add and subtract etc. His spelling is atrocious, but I think it will improve when he's better at reading and reads more on his own. He still writes some numbers and letters backwards. Maths is hit and miss.

It's the devil's own job to get him to do his homework, or even just to focus and listen while I explain something. I'm sure that much of the school day passes him by while he looks out of the window dreaming about dragons or something. It's also practically impossible to get him to sit on a chair for a whole meal, or to stay calm and polite in a restaurant or whatever. He's not really wild, but definitely a bit.

He can concentrate, as can build a whole lego truck from scratch following the instructions. He behaves better when his brothers aren't around, and I think would like more one-on-one attention, but I have to be realistic about what we'll ever be able to manage.

Any suggestions for what to do welcome!

OP posts:
Threerogues · 08/04/2012 23:30

I find 'where's Wally?' books very good for getting DS1 who is a force of nature to have some calm focus time and they have definitely helped his concentration.

I hate to say it but rationing the computer games and tv is essential. Our guy gets 15 mins before bed Monday to Friday and we keep an eye on it over the weekend to make sure he's not staring at a screen for too long as I really notice that he is much more hyper if he's had too much screen time.

Romann · 09/04/2012 16:43

Thanks for the reply. We have a few 'Where's Wally' books - I'll pull them out.

Apart from the fact that we just got a wii, so they've played for hours over Easter weekend, I don't let them watch or play at all in the week usually, and not for hours at the weekend. I notice the difference too. In fact, I'm just going to go and turn it off!

OP posts:
IDismyname · 09/04/2012 16:50

He sounds just like how my ds was at 7yo, but who is now 13. I wouldn't worry too much... as long as he hasn't got any SEN's, he's being pretty typical.

Make sure he has enough exercise to tire him out, feed him so blood sugar levels are Ok, then sit and do homework in short bursts, maybe with a 'reward' at the end. If spelling is a problem, incentivise him with getting more than 7 out of 10 at the end of the week?

(I swore I would never bribe my children, but hey! you know NOTHING until you've had the blighters!)

My ds has short term memory problems, and takes fish oils regularly which you may find will help, but give it a few months before seeing if they make a difference.

Good Luck

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