Americans are throwing out the adage of “resolutions” and replacing it with the beneficial term “habits.” Why? Resolutions focus only on the end result; when that doesn’t occur fast enough to be rewarding, we tend to give up. Making a small change to our daily habits and routines is much more likely to have a lasting and beneficial impact.
Were you one of the many parents who ended 2016 feeling a little concerned about their child’s attention span? You’re not alone. I received nearly 30 emails last month from parents who said they were frustrated by how easily their child seemed to “give up” or “just complain” during homework time. These parents were looking to make a change in 2017, but didn’t know where to begin.
“Concentrated focus” is really the best place to start. It is one of the core chapters in the new book, The Learning Habit. When kids have difficulty focusing on written or auditory material, sitting still for more than a few minutes, and waiting for their turn to speak — school and homework are incredibly frustrating.
The ability to sit and focus, for a specific period of time, is a skill that can developed. Yes, it is possible for children to take pride in their ability to sit and concentrate for increasing periods of time. They are learning how to “work their brain” like a muscle and develop their “brain power,” as one child described the process. It takes consistent, rewarding effort – for both the child and the parent. The problem many parents have previously encountered is twofold:
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They may not be “helping” their kids in a way that develops both skill and a sense of accomplishment in their child.
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In spite of all the effort, they are unable to see improvement!
The progress may well be there – even at the beginning – but it’s hard to recognize. Now, however, we have a way to measure it. Developed by renowned pediatric psychologist Dr. Robert M. Pressman, The Pressman Focus Checklist gives parents a reporting tool they can use to measure their child’s progress with attention and focus at both home and school.
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The following tool has been excerpted from The Learning Habit – Revisited coming out January 2018 by Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman, Rebecca Jackson and Dr. Robert Pressman. The follow is from the original book, published by Perigee, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, Copyright © 2015 by Good Parent, Inc.
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THE PRESSMAN FOCUS CHECKLIST
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 is rarely or never; 5 is frequently or always), how frequently does your child do the following:
- Sit for a reasonable period of time (more than 10 minutes for children K–3, at least 30 minutes for older children) without fidgeting, getting up and wandering, or checking their phone? RATE 1-5
- Perform a task requiring three or more steps without forgetting a step? RATE 1-5
- Self-soothe and return to the task when they become frustrated? RATE 1-5
- Complete a school assignment or a chore without giving excuses (It’s boring; I don’t understand why I have to do this stupid thing; It’s not my turn to do the dishes)? RATE 1-5
- Work through a task without creating distractions (arguing with a parent, playing with a pet, teasing a sibling, developing a stomachache, demanding a drink or snack)? RATE 1-5
- Finish a game, when losing, without quitting or crying? RATE 1-5
- Complete a reading assignment and be able to verbalize what it was about? RATE 1-5
- Enjoy quiet activity? RATE 1-5
- Go to bed at a regular time and stay in their own room all night? RATE 1-5
- Listen to instructions and accurately repeat them back? RATE 1-5
- Read for pleasure—apart from assigned school reading—every day? RATE 1-5
Date______ Total score_____
Directions:
First, honestly rate your child on all the questions and keep a copy for your records. This will establish a baseline. As you and your child work together—using the systems found in The Learning Habit—you will see the total score gradually increase. I’ve implemented several of the tactics in chapter nine of The Learning Habit – and found the breathing exercises worked especially well on question 3.
If you are working patiently and consistently, and you don’t see any improvement at all, it may be time to consult your pediatrician.
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