Help, How To Improve Concentration

[helbel3]

Mid year report says ds1 year 1 has limited concentration and his listening skills / lack of are to blame. His major strength is his reading ort 11/12 nad his muber work and practical activity.

My son is very physical and does have a problem listening.

Any advice from teachers or parents who have been in this situation, his mind tends to wander to another world his reception teacher told me last year. Am a fighting a losing battle against nature ?????

HELPFUL ADVICE MUCH APPRECIATED

Cut out telly as much as possible. Even altogether.
I'm reading Remotely Controlled by Aric Sigmun at the moment and it presents alarming evidence about the effect telly has on the brains of 1-3 year olds in particular. It's not too late to reverse some of this.

The books great. It's not what we want to hear because TV is such an easy substitute for childcare, but it certainly jolted me into action.

thanks jellyhead, he sits on a table were there is always a teacher, and this is what she said in the report he needs constance push from an adult. I have not mentioned to ds1 as I dont want to put him off school.

Is that not what the teacher is there for anyway, there are only 16 in his class with teacher and ta

I always recommend reading together, although I know it doesn't work for every child. A few minutes sharing a book (where you read and he has a go too) every day if you can may help getting him used to focusing on something for longer and longer. If reading doesn't work then do something together he does enjoy so you can keep him on track.

thanks apidermama, he is very active watches 30 mins at the most each day, school then plays in garden, tea, bath, reading, homework if any, then we have a talk about what he has done that day.

Ali5 we do read everyday at least 20mins as he gets a reading book every night from school then we read again in his bedroom, usually I do a page then him

It sounds to me then that perhaps he concentrates quite well at home? If it is just a school issue then let the teacher know, it's something at school that needs to be addressed.

Ali5 I think you are right, he went on a school trip yesterday, so, I asked him to write a few sentences about it and he did straight away. His maths homework at the weekend was on hundreds tens and units place values and again did this also by himself and even told me to leave the room. It dosent quite add up does it?? Perhaps he gets distracted with the other children there???

Boredom could be a factor, perhaps he can do more than the teacher has seen evidence of. Getting distracted by other children could also be an issue, sometimes putting children on a table with no-one else and facing a wall really helps (gosh, sounds a bit cruel! Does work though). It might be an idea to have a chat with him about what the teacher has said (but with well chosen words!) and see what he says. However, it sounds like he's a bright, inquisitive boy and maybe you don't have to worry or see it as a battle!

He does have a tendency not to listen at times at home, but, on the other hand when we do writing and spelling etc if he gets a word wrong and you tell him the correct version you only have to tell him once. Yesterday he spelt underground wrong, he missed the u out, told him the correct version, asked him half hour later he said it right, asked him this morning again right.

He is also starting his first piano lesson tonight, something he has asked to do for quite a while now. When I approached the music teacher I mentioned that he lacks concentration with his form teacher. He was quite shocked at this and said he is one of his best students and that he is very enthusiastic, he also said it also about fully engaging the child at this age not allowing distraction etc... Therefore could it be a case of teacher she is a bit wishy washy and ds1 not always listening, perhaps he finds her boring

sorry so long just want him labelled.

Hi helbel3 - you are not alone

I posted something similar a while back naming a number of posters who had previously discussed similar issues. As a result of that thread we have started another thread - like an antenatal support thread here where you can give details of your child and their issues and hopefully get support/understanding and a little empathy from other mothers going through the same. You may wish to join us.

The obvious similarities between your child and our children are the daydreaming, lack of concentration and good reading levels - you may find some more !

Hope you get some more practical advice on your current issue from other posters.

thanks indignatio i will defintely join that thread, sometimes i feel as though i bang my head against the wall with his teacher, she says it will come with age!! Might well do but might not either want constructive advice if she is to make such comments, otherwise i feel helpless

is your ds young for his year ?

I have read elsewhere that learning the piano is excellent for concentration issues.

So it does sound like you are doing the right things - have faith