Focusing Strategies for Children Lisa Gerber-Eckard Equitable Participation Parent Training March 11, 2010
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Objective To provide you with a wide variety of ideas and strategies for developing focusing strategies in your child. 01/26/13
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Why won’t or can’t my child stay focused? Attention Disorder Disorganized Distracted Learning Disability/Academic Struggles Poor time Management Other Factors
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Three Critical Principles Brevity – brief lessons or drill of information will result in more successful learning
Variety – with focusing difficulties, a second presentation of a task is often seen as repetitive or boring, so present in a slightly different way to maximize focus
Structure/Routine – must be consistent, enhanced with organized format for activities, provide a focused environment for distractibility, specific daily schedules with well-planned experiences, plus a well defined transition from one task to the next, will assist in maintaining focus; rules, expectations and consequences should be stated and specific
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Physical Environment: Reduce extraneous auditory/visual stimuli Complete removal of stimuli may not be necessary Some children are internally distracted and may need quiet
background noise Clear and clean area for homework and activities – may not be their desk Keep school supplies well stocked, easily accessible, and organized. Supplies might not be kept with child Incorporate child’s likes and dislikes Be able to have direct eye contact Keep close proximity when giving instructions Allow for physical outlets, take frequent breaks
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Instructional Style Provide clear and direct messages Break down larger tasks into small, manageable tasks Use Premack Principle – do this first, then you can do the
more pleasant task (also called grandma’s rule) Provide viable choices Allow for the “5 Second Rule”/Put in the Pause Decide what learning style your child possesses Address all modalities – auditory, visual and tactile Select learning strategies that match learning style – mnemonics, cues, self evaluation, lists, Post-its, flashcards, highlighting
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Instructional Style Do the minimal problems to successfully understand
concept Incorporate breaks into work time Make use of a kitchen timer – good for lots of things! Handle one subject at a time Have a good, positive way of giving feedback Complete a backpack check each day Return completed work to backpack immediately Color code folders/notebooks/textbooks Assist child on checking contents for next day
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Self Advocacy Assist child in identifying his/her strengths and areas
identified by the child that need reinforcement Self-concept, self-esteem and confidence is a priority Help child overcome learned helplessness Develop sense of self-efficacy Enhance child’s enthusiasm and motivation
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Preparation
Immediacy and Frequency of Consequences Start small and shape behaviors slowly Select rewards and privileges Avoid long, drawn out explanations Use natural and logical consequences Try old strategies at different times Be consistent with discipline Be sensitive of transitions and changes in schedule Pick your battles wisely Arm yourself with a sense of humor
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Materials and Strategies:
Highlighters Study Frames to isolate material Kitchen Timer Colored Folders for each subject area Assignment Sheets or Book Written Directions to reinforce homework Practice Repeating Directions/Instruction On task Cards Tokens or Chips in a Jar 01/26/13
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Materials and Strategies: Reward Self-Monitoring Behaviors Model Good behaviors Behavior Charts Variety of Reinforcers Agreed Upon Cues for Redirecting Attention
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Additional Strategies for Focusing: Give only one direction at a time – be specific, speak
in a clear neutral or positive tone, have your child repeat directions Make good use of visual aids Use positive attention – praise those behaviors you wish to see more often Establish structured routine – children need a structured environment Create tools to help child improve organizational skills Set specific times for other activities – waking, chores, meals, bedtime Ignore mild attention –seeking behaviors
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Reading Strategies: Silent reading time Follow-along reading time Partner read Storytelling and Acting Computer Games for Reading Word banks – Keep a list of words to practice Make use of Learning Strategies: RAP; Read a
paragraph, Ask your self the main idea, Put into your own words CAPS – Characters, Aim of the story, Problem that occurs, Solving the problem 01/26/13
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Writing Spelling and Phonics Strategies: Visualize composition – eyes closed might help Proofread all work Know standards for writing assignments Use note cards or sticky notes to jot down characters,
main idea, and plot after each chapter Word Families – teach child to recognize phonetic groups Practice grammar rules Use manipulatives– salt box and shaving cream Color code letters Incorporate everyday examples to use with difficult words
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Mathematics: Look for patterns Use real-life examples of money skills Color code symbols =, +, and – to focus attention Use calculators to check homework Reread word problems and highlight necessary
information Look for clue words in problems Use graph paper, number lines, and manipulatives to help organize
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All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them. -- Earvin “Magic" Johnson
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Final Thoughts...
Contact Information ď Ž Lisa Gerber-Eckard
717-624-4616 ext. 6615 lngerbereckard@iu12.org ď Ž Connie Mulligan
717-624-4616 ext 6663 camulligan@iu12.org
Future Training Opportunities March 22, 2010
5:45 PM – 8 PM Topic: This program is for parents that are looking to expand their knowledge of best practice in discipline skills and to learn behavioral strategies for common childhood/adolescent problems at home or schools. June 21, 2010 9 AM – 3 PM Topic 1: The importance of beginning learning strategies early in an educational career and best practices for learning with Landmark College Topic 2: Strategies for teaching students with disabilities in the general education classroom with Ms. Jennifer Becker and Mrs. Alda Brown June 22, 2010 9 AM – 3 PM Topic: Reading and Writing Strategies with Dr. Jil Manga June 23, 2010 9 AM – 3 PM Topic: Assistive Technology to enhance learning with Ms. Julie Cunningham June 24, 2010 9 AM – 2 PM Topic: Reading and the Brain with Dr. Beth Ann Pratte
Special thanks to my colleagues for their resources. Suzan Simko
Guidance Counselor South Eastern School District Terri Landis Instructional Support Teacher Dover Area School District
Works Cited ď Ž http://www.refdesk.com/homework.html. Homework
Helper. Accessed December 30, 2009.
ď Ž Mullen, Amy. Helping Kids Focus on Homework.
Accessed December 31, 2009. http://www.associatedcontent.com/pop_print.shtml? content_type=article&content_type_id=21878.
You tube videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0PDSptf3e8
3 minute parent video motivation http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=YNRQYT8IQDQ&feature=related Michael Jordon prepping for the “perfect” game….
Internet Links Grades 1-6 http://people.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/
Children’s Literature Web Guide http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html Common errors in English usage http://www.aplusmath.com/hh/index.html Math homework helper
Internet Links Grades 7-8 http://www.math.com/
World of math Online http://www.50states.com/ Facts about the 50 states http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/amasci.html http://www.madsci.org/ http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/ 3 Science Links http://www.bjpinchbeck.com/ Homework helper in all subjects http://www.refdesk.com/homework.html For Additional Homework Resources