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Developing the habit of attention
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How do we cultivate this habit? Let me say that I do not have LDtR yet. This question is probably answered very thoroughly in that book/DVD and I am planning to purchase them next month, but this is such a growing problem with my younger two that I am hoping for a tip or two so that we can start immediately. What I have done so far is ask them to narrate what I have read, or the Lesson they heard in Sunday School, etc. Often the response is, “I don’t know” or a rather blank expression. I’m hopeful that time and patient determination will improve things. When I can tell that they are daydreaming during a story, I will wait quietly until they look up and then I will either continue or else ask, “Are you with us?” or something similar. Trying not to be discouraging, but wanting to communicate that a change is truly needed. This habit is firmly ingrained or I would let it go with a look only. But would that be better? To look only? I don’t want to be “always telling” and I’ve probably done that in the past and been overbearing.
I do think that my third has some auditory processing issues-he’s always had a harder time listening to stories-and is receiving Integrated Listening Therapy. But I do think that habit plays a part as well-it’s harder work for him to listen so he just doesn’t. I don’t care if we work on this habit for the rest of the year. It is such an important one. But I would feel better knowing if I’m on the right track.
Thanks,
Holly
How old are your children? BTW, my dd also has sensory dysfunction in every area and I have been able to strengthen her listening skills through regularly listening to audio books; they require much more effort than TV.
Rachel
My older two are 13 and 10-no problem with attention even when they were younger-younger two are 8 and 6. I’ve always read aloud but he just “clicked off” once the reading began. Too much effort required. I was a HUGE daydreamer at that age, too-but not when a book was being read!
As I was thinking about this earlier, I remembered that this ds had asked for the Little House books to be read again once we were done with The Door in the Wall. We read several of the LH books last year and he listened fairly well to bits and pieces. We started Dangerous Journey this afternoon at lunch(our last scheduled read aloud-after which I had intended to surprise him with his choice of LH book)and to my surprise when I stopped reading after four pages, he led the others with the gasp that said, “That’s all?!?” I was floored. Tried not to show it.
Maybe I will get him some audiobooks when we go to the library tomorrow. He chooses them himself sometimes-usually Curious George-but then forgets to listen to them. He is not a big fan of TV-thankfully.
A few more thoughts.
It occurred to me that if the 6 yr. old was day-dreaming during The Door in the Wall, it may be that particular book was too advanced for him, though not for the 8 yr. old. Little House will be much more age level appealing, among others.
Also, determine if the 6 yr. old can listen and color at the same time? Or be in a different position? If he’s a tactile child, give him something to do with his hands, that may help him concentrate at this age and gradually you can expect him to be more still as he ages. During our Bible study, my dd uses a cloring book or something to fiddle with.
Are you also referring to narration? Narration will develop the habit of attention, too; even in stories they aren’t required to narrate. You’ll have to apply it differntly to the 8 and 6; or maybe not, if the 8 yr.old’s never done it. Start off with just 2 senrtences and ask for a telling. Don’t do the entire chapter that way-you’ll be reading forever; but do it daily and gradually read more sentences, then a paragraph, etc. You’ll see the biggest improvement in the second year of narrating. Short lessons in the other subjects also help the habit of attention. Short copywork or copying of proper letter formation (say 4 perfect F’s versus 10 F’s with half being sloppy). ALso, when they are reading to you, plan that they narrate some it, too. Lastly, observing nature and telling you the details of what they saw as well as picture study narration all develop good attention skills.
Good thing that tv is not a like of his; it saps the attention span, as does video games. Audio books will be a great additon to your schooling and there are many great ones on audio; my children’s first audios were Aesop’s Fables, Child’s Book of Vitures, Jim Weiss stories, Fifty Famous Stories series from James Baldwin, Winnie the Pooh, others I can’t remember but they were wonderful ones like that.
Rachel
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