Why can’t kids concentrate?
Feb 16, 2007
Did you know that studies show that in a single classroom more than 70% of children will have difficulties with focusing and paying attention? Seven out of ten; that’s an awfully high number.
Do all these kids truly have ADD or is there something else going on?
Consider our modern lifestyle and the role it plays in the lifestyle of today’s kids. Kids live in a world that moves at a faster pace than ever. They are exposed to more media images, faster sound bites, and can use multiple media outlets simultaneously. They can text message, type, use video controllers, cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, and Blackberries. They learn faster, adapt better, and multiprocess at a rate that no other generation before has ever been able to, or ever had to do.
Not sure about this? Watch some shows that are popular with kids—MTV for instance. Play a few video games. Use chat programs.
In a fast-paced world
The world of today’s kids is fast-paced and ever-changing. It jumps around from image to image, sound to sound, never lingering long in one place or on a single idea image or thought. There is no break in the stream of sound, images, or conversation. There is no breathing room.
On average, the typical TV program changes cuts (the time that the camera stays on the same focus or viewpoint) every 3-4 seconds. Video games, music videos, cartoons and even movies all move at this break-neck speed. These short sound bites do little to help develop a child’s attention span.
So these same kids who live a fast-moving, multiprocessing life are, on a daily basis, put in a classroom where they are expected to sit still and focus on a single thought, person, or image for a long stretch of time. That’s a major downshift for the child.
Is it any wonder that 70% of them are having difficulty staying on task, focusing, and paying attention? When are we actually taking the time to teach children how to pay attention? Just like reading, spelling, and writing, paying attention is a skill that children need to learn, practice and perfect.
Is the education system not doing enough to keep up with how quickly kids live their lives? Are we asking too much of today’s kids to sit still and singularly focus? Or is there really an epidemic of kids with symptoms like ADD/ADHD?
There are no real answers—only a good starting point. Let's begin by asking some important questions about children’s attention spans, the media environment, and the state of the education.
We welcome your feedback!
Comments(29)
Find this article online at: www.oxfordlearning.com/letstalk/2007/feb/16/why-cant-kids-concentrate/
Carolyn Fougere - Feb 18, 2007
Do you send by mail, copies of Will you please pay attention? What is the cost of this publication?
Jayne Coady - Feb 20, 2007
Mother of Grade 3,Eight Year Old Son, teacher feels he should be assessed. I do not feel that this is necessary, really. He is bored in
class! The teacher does not keep his attention. Maybe metacognitive awareness is the area needed to be probed, but of course, the first fingers are pointed at the child, that he requires medical attention for ADD/ADHD! Your comments please!
Emma - Oxford Learning Educator - Feb 21, 2007
Hi Jayne,
Thanks for your comments. You should contact your local Oxford Learning and arrange for them to do a diagnostic assessment on your son. Our assessment will not only measure how your son learns, but will also measure his academic skills (appropriate to his grade level, of course). This will give you all the information needed to make an educated decision. We offer many different programs to help develop metacognitive awareness...it's our specialty!
Unfortunately, most people don't realize that "paying attention" and "concentration" are skills that need to be taught just like reading and writing. Diagnosing a child with ADD/ADHD is something that ONLY a medical professional can do. I would also suggest that after having Oxford Learning perform an assessment speak with your family doctor.
We have two great publications called "Will you please pay attention" and "Learning to Listen". I would love to send you a copy of both. Please send your address to letstalk@oxfordlearning.com. I hope you find thes comments valuable.
Have a great day!
John - Feb 21, 2007
Thank you so much for this information. I don't get such detail from any other source. Your detail has helped me understand my own child. I've got to many other sources, but nothing comes close to what I've learned from you.
Emma - Oxford Learning Educator - Feb 22, 2007
It's my pleasure!
I'm glad that we can help. That's what we're here for!
Have a great day!
Emma
Roxana - Feb 22, 2007
My son just turned 5 last week and i talked with his teacher and she told me he start slow down on his reading , he was going in a really fast pace , he was a early reader( 3 1/2 years only ). Do you think that your little readers will help him or I should wait for him to catch up again at his own pace?
Angel - Feb 23, 2007
sorry i for got the appiontment
Emma - Oxford Learning Educator - Feb 23, 2007
Hi Roxana,
Yes, our Little Reader program will definitely help your son. Our program develops the skills needed to learn and excel — including reading, writing, math and fun activities. The program has many advantages which include small class sizes and working at every student's pace. Your son, given his successful start to reading will be more than ready for school success. If you'd like to send me your location information: letstalk@oxfordlearning.com I can direct you to your local Oxford Learning!
Have a great day!
Emma
Peter - Feb 25, 2007
Quality time with your child is something which we are doing less and less, and this is driving our children to television and computer games which are in the three second flashes as you said in the article.
I have read somewhere that mom reading to children is of no use. It just becomes a bedtime routine like brushing teeth, and does not necessarily make the child a reader.
What is your view on that?
angel - Feb 26, 2007
Do you offer at home tutoring?
Emma - Oxford Learning Educator - Feb 26, 2007
Hello Peter,
Thank you for you comments. Any exposure children get to reading is of great use. Children that grow up in an environment where their parents are "readers" tend to do the same.
Reading is more than just a skill performed with the eyes; it is how a child learns to relate to his or her world. Research also confirms that preschoolers who learn to read early perform better throughout their school years.
I don't think any time spent reading to a child is of no use. However, only reading to your child at bedtime will not necessarily make them a reader.
Give them the books and magazines and tell them they have a choice between going right to sleep and reading for one hour. Virtually every child will choose the extra hour. If you have chosen the reading material carefully, you will be amazed at the new interest they develop in the printed word.
Then discuss what you have read with them (or for older children what they have read). This will help to develop their comprehension and will also increase your quality time together.
Thanks for your comments!
Emma Cecchin
Mimma - Mar 6, 2007
My son, a late December baby, is 6 years old and in grade 1. He is having trouble grasping the concept of subtraction. He seems to like math but he just can't remember how to subtract. I have tried flash cards and practise sheets at home (which he does fine with) but when he gets to school, he doesn't do it properly.
Sonia - Mar 30, 2007
I have just finished studying with my 7 year old. We were studying math. I felt i was teaching the concept for the first time. He seems to either give up quickly, guess fast so that he finishes quickly or just doesn't care. Half of the time i was explaining the concept he wasn't even listening. What am I to do? He's doing poorly in all subjects?
Kris - Apr 3, 2007
My son is 6 yrs old, in Senior Kindergarten. While he was in JK, my husband and I went through marital separation. My son had so much to deal with and began to have serious behavioural problems both, at home and at school. The behavioural issues have been addressed and are being dealt with...showing improvement, of course. My concern is that his learning ability has suffered during his JK and SK years, that he is not where he should be educationally. I would like to be able to help him prepare a little better for Grade 1. What could you suggest?
Emma - Oxford Learning Educator - Apr 11, 2007
Hi Kris,
Thanks for your inquiry. Marital separation can be stressful for children of all ages, but especially these "little guys". The good news is that at this age children are quite adaptable, so I'm glad to hear that your son's behavioural issues are showing improvement. Over time you will notice that his behaviour will improve significantly. I suggest that you contact your local Oxford Learning and make an appointment for a diagnostic assessment. This measures academic performance and reveals how your son learns. We’ll design an individualized program incorporating your son’s learning style and we’ll engage your son’s specific gifts to meet the challenges of learning and succeeding at school. We offer programs all year, so summer would be a great time to make sure he is prepared for grade 1. We also offer a half day preschool program. Oxford Learning’s Little Readers® is an enriched half-day program that develops the skills needed to learn and excel — including reading, writing, math and fun activities.
Little Readers® is the only program that offers cognitive skills development (the basis for all learning) along with an enriched academic curriculum. Children aged three to six enjoy a balance of play, exploration and discovery in a structured environment that allows them to thrive. Oxford Learning’s Little Readers® program builds thinking skills and creates a solid foundation for learning. If you want to send your location information to letstalk@oxfordlearning.com I will direct you to your local Oxford Learning. This information is also available at www.oxfordlearning.com/locations.
Regards,
Emma
Shireen - Jun 30, 2007
I find your website extremely helpful as a teacher...
Just wanted to know if you could send me the pdf version of the article "Learning to Listen." Am unable to find the article in the archives.
Thanks.
Amanda - Feb 6, 2008
Hello, I just learned about your site recently. My daughter is 5 1/2 and we met with teacher who gave us the feedback that she lacks confidence and she is behind her level in reading and writing. When she is home with us, we think she reads well although she is a gentle child. Even though she is in a Montessori school, we had hoped that she would be reading above her level. What can we do to improve her reading and writing skills. I think her confidence will also improve once she is able to perform at the same level with the other kids in her class
D Shanti - Mar 31, 2008
Hello,My son Darwin is in 2nd Standard (8 years old). He very good in Science, English and other subject but his grade drops in Mathematics. Most of the time, he does careless mistakes in the exam. I understand he dosen't like this subject. How to make him love Maths? When did the children starts concerntrate in their education? Did he requires medical attention for ADD/ADHA?
Devina j,09-07-2008 - Jul 9, 2008
I have an 8yr old son,He is a clever boy and from kindergarden till now he is in an extention class,He was doing very well in maths,english and reading,lately he is not interested in studies,he doesnot want to sit and do extrawork even for 30mts,he is not concentrating when I teach him,he is always crying to do work,talking back,not focusing and scribling,just to finish the work.I have tried bribing him,being polite and most of the time I lose my patients and start yelling at him,I dont know what to do and how to make him interested in his studies,I have even started some extra tutoring for him but I have to always push him to do his work.He is a smart boy if concentrates does work perfect.He does not organise his things and has become a big issue in the class.
Emma - Oxford Learning Educator - Jul 30, 2008
Hi, Devina
Thanks for your post! It sounds like you and your son are definitely having a "battle of wills". In my experience there may be a couple of different reasons why he isn't interested in his studies. He may not be totally understanding the current material, so he will do anything not to have to do the work or if he is doing very well academically maybe the material is not challenging enough for him.
Unfortunately, it is hard as a parent to try and teach your own children. Your son sees you as the parent, so it's difficult for him to "respect you as a teacher". This is why all your efforts eg. bribing him etc. are not having any sort of result.
The key for all students is to break down the information into manageable pieces. Thirty minutes can be a long time for an eight year old. Perhaps making these ten minute intervals and allowing him to have a break after every ten minutes may be easier for him to manage.
I recommend speaking to his classroom teacher and setting goals together for your son before the beginning of the next school year!
We have a couple of publications that I would be more than happy to send you. The publications are realted to learning and concentration. Just send your mailing address to letstalk@oxfordlearning.com.
Regards, Emma
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