«The child is capable, but inattentive»: how to fix the situation

Many parents hear such comments about their children. Studying without distractions and without “counting the crows” is not the easiest task for a child. What are the causes of inattention and what can be done to improve the situation and improve school performance?

Why is the child inattentive?

Difficulty with attention does not mean that the child is stupid. Children with a high level of intelligence development are often absent-minded. This is the result of their brains not being able to process the information that comes from the various senses.

Most often, the reason is that by school, the ancient brain mechanisms that are responsible for involuntary attention, for some reason, have not reached the necessary maturity. Such a student has to spend a lot of energy in the classroom in order to “not fall out” of the lesson. And he can’t always tell when it’s happening.

Teachers often think that an inattentive child just needs to work harder, but these children are already working to the limit of their abilities. And at some point, their brain just shuts down.

Five important things you need to know about attention to understand your child

  • Attention does not exist by itself, but only within certain types of activity. You can carefully or inattentively look, listen, move. And a child can, for example, look attentively, but listen inattentively.
  • Attention can be involuntary (when no effort is needed to be attentive) and voluntary. Voluntary attention develops on the basis of involuntary attention.
  • In order to “turn on” voluntary attention in the classroom, the child needs to be able to use the involuntary to detect a certain signal (for example, the teacher’s voice), not pay attention to competing (distracting) signals, and quickly switch, when necessary, to a new signal.
  • It is not yet known exactly which areas of the brain are responsible for attention. Rather, scientists have found that many structures are involved in the regulation of attention: the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex, the corpus callosum, the hippocampus, the midbrain, the thalamus, and others.
  • Attention deficit is sometimes accompanied by hyperactivity and impulsivity (ADHD — Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), but often inattentive children are also slow.
  • Inattention is the tip of the iceberg. In such children, a whole complex of features of the functioning of the nervous system is revealed, which manifest themselves in behavior as problems with attention.

Why is this happening?

Let’s consider what dysfunctions of the nervous system the attention deficit consists of.

1. The child does not perceive information well by ear.

No, the child is not deaf, but his brain is not able to efficiently process what his ears hear. Sometimes it seems that he does not hear well, because such a child:

  • often asks again;
  • does not immediately respond when called;
  • constantly in response to your question says: «What?» (but, if you pause, answers correctly);
  • perceives speech in noise worse;
  • cannot remember a multi-part request.

2. Can’t sit still

Many schoolchildren hardly sit out 45 minutes: they fidget, sway in a chair, spin. As a rule, these features of behavior are manifestations of dysfunctions of the vestibular system. Such a child uses movement as a compensatory strategy that helps him think. The need to sit still literally blocks mental activity. Vestibular system disorders are often accompanied by low muscle tone, then the child:

  • «drains» from the chair;
  • constantly leans his whole body on the table;
  • supports his head with his hands;
  • wraps her legs around the legs of a chair.

3. Loses a line when reading, makes stupid mistakes in a notebook

Difficulties with learning to read and write are also often associated with the vestibular system, as it regulates muscle tone and automatic eye movements. If the vestibular system does not work well, then the eyes cannot adapt to the movements of the head. The child has a feeling that letters or whole lines are jumping before their eyes. It is especially difficult for him to write off the board.

How to help a child

The causes of the problem may be different, but there are several universal recommendations that will be relevant for all inattentive children.

Give him three hours of free movement daily

In order for the child’s brain to function normally, you need to move a lot. Free physical activity is outdoor games, running, brisk walking, preferably on the street. The stimulation of the vestibular system, which occurs during the free movements of the child, helps the brain to tune in to the effective processing of information that comes from the ears, eyes and body.

It would be good if the child actively moved for at least 40 minutes — in the morning before school, and then before he starts doing homework. Even if a child does homework for a very long time, one should not deprive him of walks and classes in sports sections. Otherwise, a vicious circle will arise: the lack of motor activity will increase inattention.

Control screen time

The use of tablets, smartphones and computers by a child in primary school can reduce learning ability for two reasons:

  • devices with a screen reduce the time of physical activity, and it is necessary for the development and normal functioning of the brain;
  • the child wants to spend more and more time in front of the screen to the detriment of all other activities.

Even as an adult, it’s hard to force yourself to work without being distracted by checking messages on your phone and browsing your social media feed. It is even more difficult for a child because his prefrontal cortex is not functionally mature. Therefore, if your child uses a smartphone or tablet, enter a screen time limit.

  • Explain why limiting screen time is necessary so he can avoid distractions and get things done faster.
  • Agree on how much time and when he can use his phone or tablet. Until homework is done and chores around the house are not completed, the screen should be locked.
  • If the child does not follow these rules, then he does not use the phone and tablet at all.
  • Parents need to remember the rules they set and constantly monitor their implementation.

Do not slow down and do not rush the child

A hyperactive child is constantly being forced to sit quietly. Slow — customized. Both usually lead to the fact that the signs of inattention intensify, as the child is constantly in a stressful situation. If the child could work at a different pace, he would do it.

  • If the child is hyperactive, he needs to be given instructions that allow him to move around: distribute notebooks, move chairs, and so on. Intense physical activity before class will help you feel your body better, which means you stay alert longer.
  • If the child is slow, break tasks into small parts. He may need extra time to complete the task.

The recommendations above are very simple. But for many children, they are the first important step towards improving the functioning of the nervous system. The brain can change in response to changes in experience and lifestyle. A child’s lifestyle depends on the parents. This is what everyone can do.

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