Tips to keeping your kids engaged when attention spans are short!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1- Keep lessons short and focused:

• If my son can complete 5 problems and understand a concept, why solve 10?  My goal is mastery, not death-by-worksheets!
• If he needs more practice – I give it to him – after a break, or the next day!
• I focus on one concept at a time – keep things simple and focused.
• More is not always better – sometimes it’s just more!

 

 

2 – Reward work as it is getting done:

 

• Reluctant learners often need praise and reassurance as they complete an assignment, not just at the end.
• Correct errors when they happen – don’t allow your child to practice incorrectly (it takes far longer to unlearn a mistake than to learn it right in the first place).
• Change it up – use different things to reward and keep it interesting!

 

3 – Work doesn’t have to be worksheets!

• Turn learning into a game by having them “jump” on or “tag” an answer.
• Use manipulatives to work out problems and “see” the answer.
• Use videos, educational apps, and other media to reinforce or introduce a concept

 

4 – Use movement to your advantage:

• Many kids learn through movement and songs
• Many kids need movement to help move memory from short term to long term storage.
• Activities that cross the “midline” (right/left or top/bottom) are beneficial to activate both sides of the brain, also helping with memory.
• Movement makes learning more fun and engaging!

 

 

 

5 – I’s okay to not sit at the table/desk! I have seen kids:

• Sit on top of the table or counter
• Sit under the table or chair
• Lay on the floor
• Lay on a trampoline
• Sit in a beanbag
• Sit on the grass outside
• Sit in a tree
• Lay under the piano bench
• Inside a closet or cupboard
• On a yoga ball (you can buy one with a stand for added stability)
• Use a Wobble Cushion
• Tie Thera-Bands on the legs of the chair for kids to be able to kick/push against while they are working.
• And so many more!  As long as learning is taking place, location doesn’t matter.

 

6 – Ways to include movement:

• Trampoline
• Park play
• Riding bike/scooter
• GONOODLE.com
• Obstacle courses
• Answering questions with parts of the body
• Playing with blocks
• Sit/bounce on a yoga ball
• Sit/jump on a trampoline
• Stand at an easel/table
• Nature walk
• Exploring local parks, ponds, streams, deserts, etc., for animals specific to your area
• Count birds, squirrels, or other animals as you walk (you can also make up word problems – two birds plus 3 birds is 5 birds; 5 squirrels, two run away, that leaves 3 squirrels).
• Write with sidewalk chalk outside
• Go to the zoo, museum, and other places where you can walk and learn about things
• Bring learning to “life” through unit studies and acting out your learning.
• Answering questions while using a hula hoop
• Using playdoh, clay, and or therapy putty (allergy-friendly playdoh is also available)
• Throwing bean bags, ring toss, or kicking a goal while answering questions