“Most likely, daydreaming is a character trait, and it is unlikely that it can be changed,” says French pediatrician Pierre Douillet. — Is it worth it? After all, dreamers have a very rich imagination and more often than others demonstrate flexibility of thinking.
“Of course, it all depends on why he has his head in the clouds. Has this trait always been characteristic of the child, or has it appeared recently? Some children from early childhood have the ability to abstract from reality. They do not immediately answer questions and respond even more slowly to our demands, they often forget textbooks and notebooks at school … This can really be annoying, but such manifestations of character cannot be considered developmental disorders. You can even find their advantages in them: dreamers usually have a rich imagination, their thoughts are not limited by material frameworks. When something fascinates them, they are able to concentrate for a long time: to observe ants, to construct a model of an airplane … This does not mean that they do not need to be reminded of the rules adopted in the family, and subsequently in society. Child forgot swimsuit in the pool? Let him come back and look for him!
In other children, absent-mindedness may manifest itself in response to a hostile environment for them: too strict upbringing in the family, strict requirements at school, high loads (sports, music, etc.). Closing in on itself, the child removes exorbitant pressure, as if “hiding in a house”. In this case, it is worth reconsidering your behavior and the mode in which the child lives. Serious but rarer case: this absent-mindedness, especially if it appeared recently, may mean that the child is experiencing psychological trauma (abuse at school, divorce of parents, death of a relative, etc.). It is necessary to understand the reason for such behavior and restore his normal mood, resorting, if necessary, to the help of a psychotherapist.
* Dr. Pierre Douyet — head of the children’s department of the Fontainebleau hospital.