How To Help Able Child Focus

[happymelissa]

My DD4 got off to a decent start at reading but has recently started to have trouble focusing. She will do anything other than read what’s in front of her, try any distraction technique. When she actually deigns to look a the word/sentence she will then read it very easily, so her reluctance isn’t because she’s finding it difficult.

Any magic tips? Or do I just have to ride it out and accept it’s going to take 10 minutes and a lot of whinging to get her to do something I know would take her 3 if she engaged?

I would just read to her for a bit. Any pressure will make it worse. The only tip I can offer is to sometimes make a deliberate mistake-one of mine LOVED correcting me! But really, really don’t stress. Back right off. Make sure books are enjoyable. She’ll get there.

You are accurately describing every attempt to make my DS do his reading I have made in the last two years. He’s now in Year 2 and assessed as being at Greater Depth in reading despite that. I’ve pretty much given up stressing about it.

This is all reassuring, thank you. I would like to work on her focus, but maybe it’s a function of being in school all day and not being able to focus anymore …

It’s just infuriating when you know they can do it! 🙃

I would like to work on her focus Shes four, not ten.

If she can answer correctly she's achieving the required level and you forcing her to do things more than she needs to risks her switching off.

Read up on intrinsic motivation.

The best thing to do is read to her a lot. Make the activity fun and she'll want to do it herself.