Improving Focus And Concentration
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jesschan:
Not all teachers are generous with praise because some of them grew up in an environment void of praise and it feels 'unnatural' for them to praise the kids for even the smallest effort. I know of teachers who make effort to praise, but their praises sound so 'half-hearted'.
Through some chit-chats with my boy, I realise that this teacher is special because she answers all the children's questions unlike many other teachers who simply brush them off. And she is very generous with praise and rewards for any child who does well. Hence, the children including the \"naughty\" but bright ones will try hard to behave well in her class. Just some food for thought for teachers reading this forum...
I grew up with lots of praises (thanks to my highly educated aunt who told my parents that kids thrive on praise & rewards). My aunt even praises me when I flush the toilet and wash my hands when I was in Primary school. Imagine how good it felt!
I love praising the kids because you can see the pride in their attitude after that. They'll take more pride in their behaviour and work.
Not only teachers, parents must also be generous with praise. Work may not be well-done or up to expectations, but if effort is put in, praise is definitely due
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lovekidsverymuch:
..............Yeah same here same here.... difference between my DS1 and DS2 is also 4 yrs :celebrate:
:celebrate: LKVM. And do u notice our nick is almost like \"TWIN\"??
In another 2 or 3 decades, we MIGHT be MIL to someone else daughters :evil: We will be understanding & reasonable MIL?? :?
Cheers!! :celebrate: Have a good day ahead! -
I didn’t imagine that DD who went to P1 this year, would fare so badly in class. While she would do ok for the spelling and 听写 as DW and sometimes myself would coach her on them, she just showed us last Fri that she scored only 11.5 out of 60 for a test…
Basically, we find the problem being two-fold:
1) She has extremely poor focus and concentration span, and would not focus on what she is supposed to be doing: when telling her story, she would be distracted by the TV; when playing PC, she will be looking at DS (2 yr younger) who is playing with his toys; when eating, she would take her time even after DS, who eats more, has finished brushing his teeth and starts bathing; when it comes to bed-time, she would take close to an hour to get to sleep… and the list goes on.
2) We sent her to a CCC which did not give much emphasis to academic preparation, but adopts this Waldof approach, which stress on developing the self-esteem of the kids, so they were playing, singing, telling stories most of the time. As a result, her English is quite poor and she cannot understand what the test paper asks of the students, so did terribly.
DW has tried coaching her closely these last few days, and is at her wits’ end, as DD cannot pay attention for long, and will throw tantrums when she feels uncomfortable as DW loses patience due to her (DD) not paying attention. This is made worse when she could not follow/learn and do the tasks as taught, and she’ll shut off…
we are thinking of sending her to tuition to try out. Hopefully a group setting will pressure her into paying more attention. the first to try out is English tuition.
Does anyone have any good recommendation on good English tuition centres near to Serangoon?
Has anyone tried or heard of Morris Allan? Is it any good?
tks… -
atrecord:
1) She has extremely poor focus and concentration span, and would not focus on what she is supposed to be doing: when telling her story, she would be distracted by the TV
Hi Atrecord, Good to see you again after NEasterner tread.
If you observe the distraction, does it help if your DW could read to her in a quiet place free from TV and other stuff? Also keep it short and make sure the story is interesting for her. Gradually try to increase the length. I am not sure about your TV rules at home. I would usually ensure that the kids are far away from TV distraction when doing homework or study. We would switch off the tv (especially if it is not PILs that are watching).atrecord:
Is she able to read independently? It appears that she might not be able to do hence she is unable to understand the paper? Did the teacher have any feedback eg. does the school have learning support program that you can put her on? My niece who didn't learn phonics had the same issue when she entered P1. Was put on learning support and now she is doing fine at P3. But of course depending on school only might not be sufficient, so you probably need to provide more home support.As a result, her English is quite poor and she cannot understand what the test paper asks of the students, so did terribly.
atrecord:
I think it's important to set realistic expectations. The child will not be able to change after coaching for few days. I also observed that children strive on consistency and discipline. So probably get your DW or yourself to set a time everyday to sit down with her to revise,etc.... I implemented this for my kids last year. It was a big challenge for all of us initially but they gradually get used to it. Eg. no shopping/tv time for mummy & daddy after work and for the kids no channel 8 drama in the evening. Probably you could take turns with your DW. If you DW is a FTWM, it's frustrating actually as after work, still must come home to face a child who don't listen to her. It's just frustrating so this led her to lose patience. It's the same for me too. So daddy do need to take over sometimes.DW has tried coaching her closely these last few days, and is at her wits' end, as DD cannot pay attention for long, and will throw tantrums when she feels uncomfortable as DW loses patience due to her (DD) not paying attention. This is made worse when she could not follow/learn and do the tasks as taught, and she'll shut off....
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[quote="MMM]I also observed that children strive on consistency and discipline. So probably get your DW or yourself to set a time everyday to sit down with her to revise,etc… I implemented this for my kids last year. It was a big challenge for all of us initially but they gradually get used to it. Eg. no shopping/tv time for mummy & daddy after work and for the kids no channel 8 drama in the evening. Probably you could take turns with your DW. If you DW is a FTWM, it’s frustrating actually as after work, still must come home to face a child who don’t listen to her. It’s just frustrating so this led her to lose patience. It’s the same for me too. So daddy do need to take over sometimes.[quote="MMM]
I agree. I started setting aside time after dinner to do work with DS1. At first he was easily distracted and I was quite frustrated. Over time he became used to this routine and his concentration improved. I noticed this after a period when DH took over coaching as things were mad at work. He’s so used to it now that he would remind us if we do not ask him to take out his books to do work. There was once I worked late and DH was also not at hone to coach him. He suddenly said He hasn’t doen his work for the day. I said it’s ok, since it’s quite late, we can do more the next day. He refused, and insisted that we must do it. So i told him we will do less. Setting a routine is important and will take time. So do persevere. -
mummy of 2:
I agree. I started setting aside time after dinner to do work with DS1. At first he was easily distracted and I was quite frustrated. Over time he became used to this routine and his concentration improved. I noticed this after a period when DH took over coaching as things were mad at work. He's so used to it now that he would remind us if we do not ask him to take out his books to do work. There was once I worked late and DH was also not at hone to coach him. He suddenly said He hasn't doen his work for the day. I said it's ok, since it's quite late, we can do more the next day. He refused, and insisted that we must do it. So i told him we will do less. Setting a routine is important and will take time. So do persevere.
Yes, this is so true. The same applies to my kids. If we are not home by 8pm. I will receive a phone call from them asking what should they do today besides their homework. It becomes a routine that they are so used to. They also stopped having \"withdrawal sympton\" for tv programs.
This week is school hols and they are packed off to my mum's place on sunday and back tonight. So hubby and me had time to go for dinner and shopping yesterday. Very basic thing in life but due to focus on the children, we weren't able to do it as much as we like to as we need to be home by 7.30pm everyday. It was funny.... when he fetched me from work, we were like... where should we go today???? Suddenly we were aimless as we didn't have the 7.30pm target to meet :lol: We also enjoyed watching TV. I really LOVE school hols :lol:
But on a serious note, I believe that our efforts will not go to waste if we ourselves are discipline to do that. The kids can see how committed we are in their studies. I told hubby just yesterday that I hope with all our efforts, they will be successful one day. If they don't, at least we've tried our best. I don't want to be in a position whereby they don't do well and that's because we didn't try our best and put in our effort. Over the weekends, I also come to a conclusion on what I want in life.... The children's future success are more important than mine. -
[quote=\"MMM]But on a serious note, I believe that our efforts will not go to waste if we ourselves are discipline to do that. The kids can see how committed we are in their studies. I told hubby just yesterday that I hope with all our efforts, they will be successful one day. If they don't, at least we've tried our best. I don't want to be in a position whereby they don't do well and that's because we didn't try our best and put in our effort. Over the weekends, I also come to a conclusion on what I want in life.... The children's future success are more important than mine.[/quote]
Totally agree
I think they do sense our interest in their learning. It may not bre restricted to only school work but other areas of learning. DS1 can tell me he likes to do Chinese as he knows how to write charcters. I can see that he derives pride from his ability and accomplishments. That makes all my scarifice worthwhile. -
MMM:
Yup, hi there again.
Hi Atrecord, Good to see you again after NEasterner tread.MMM:
Well, she would basically find other things to distract herself from the main objective, like play with her clothes, or stationery, the table, chair, etc...If you observe the distraction, does it help if your DW could read to her in a quiet place free from TV and other stuff? Also keep it short and make sure the story is interesting for her. Gradually try to increase the length. I am not sure about your TV rules at home. I would usually ensure that the kids are far away from TV distraction when doing homework or study. We would switch off the tv (especially if it is not PILs that are watching).
MMM:
Indeed she might not be able to read, so can't do the paper. The problem is she doesn't pay attention and so will be slower than most in learning the words... I'll check on whether the school has any learning support.Is she able to read independently? It appears that she might not be able to do hence she is unable to understand the paper? Did the teacher have any feedback eg. does the school have learning support program that you can put her on? My niece who didn't learn phonics had the same issue when she entered P1. Was put on learning support and now she is doing fine at P3. But of course depending on school only might not be sufficient, so you probably need to provide more home support.
MMM:
ok. we'll try out for the whole of this week, to see whether there is at least some signs of improvement. yup, DW is working too, so i do take turns with her sometimes...I think it's important to set realistic expectations. The child will not be able to change after coaching for few days. I also observed that children strive on consistency and discipline. So probably get your DW or yourself to set a time everyday to sit down with her to revise,etc.... I implemented this for my kids last year. It was a big challenge for all of us initially but they gradually get used to it. Eg. no shopping/tv time for mummy & daddy after work and for the kids no channel 8 drama in the evening. Probably you could take turns with your DW. If you DW is a FTWM, it's frustrating actually as after work, still must come home to face a child who don't listen to her. It's just frustrating so this led her to lose patience. It's the same for me too. So daddy do need to take over sometimes.
we're quite helpless about the situation, as DS is much more focused in comparison, in everything in fact.
And we thought previously that DD was a faster learner than DS, who initially refused to learn writing. He threw tantrums whenever we made him write the alphabets, which DD was able to do so much better when she started. -
atrecord:
Every child is different. My 3 kids are different in characteristics as well. Eldest girl is introvert and hence the most discipline and focus. The other 2 are more extrovert and as a result of that, easily lost focus as they tend to be chatty and easily distracted by the surrounding.we're quite helpless about the situation, as DS is much more focused in comparison, in everything in fact.
And we thought previously that DD was a faster learner than DS, who initially refused to learn writing. He threw tantrums whenever we made him write the alphabets, which DD was able to do so much better when she started.
Just persist. I personally think one week is not enough. Even if you send her for tuition,etc.... it's still important to have home support to ensure that what she learnt in tuition class is being revised at home so that you can see better results. Sending her to tuition class does not solve the issue if she only learns that once a week. Re-enforcement at home is important.
Eg. my K1. Her teachers told me that she learns very fast but she also forgets very fast. Inorder to help my K1 with her \"short term\" memory (not sure if it helps in your case), over the weekends, I bought vanguard sheets and wrote down all the english and chinese characters that she has learnt/ we've read them together. I pasted that on the wall. So starting from next week, I intend to revise the words with her almost every day (depending on our activities). So that the more she sees it, the better she remembers them. Due to my involvement as I used to be more take it easy type, if I compare my K1 with her siblings' development over age, she is actually ahead of them.
I also recall holding conversation with my son's school teacher during P1 to ask him more questions so as to ensure that he stay awake and focus in class as he is sitting right behind.
In any case, speak to the teachers and see how you can collaborate to help your child.
Just like to share with you that for my P2 son, it was rather bad. Despite attending enrichment classes since K1, he was not able to recognise alot of words (english and chinese) by end K2. I recall that we would \"kill\" him just making him learn his spelling. He would remember now and forget everything 1 minute later :x I used to think that sending him for class is good enough and we never did revision. He was staying with my mum at that point so I didn't really have the time to coach him.
But seeing how \"serious\" his condition was and with P1 drawing near, I actually sent him for 1-1 advanced phonics classes (just before P1) and P1 preparation camp with british council. Most importantly, I also spend time to read with him everyday as I want to build the discipline in him to reach out for a book everyday. That was the time I also implemented the nightly revision time. He went into P1 and ok he managed to get Band 1 results for all his subjects. Though he is not top in class but when his teacher asked me if I was happy with his results? I told her I was considering where he came from.
On the bright side, your girl is only P1 and it's only term 1. There are alot that can still be done. So it's not too late to start doing that now. -
Hi everyone! Can anybody share how to improve the concentraction of a upper primary child.
My younger child now P5 , has concentration problem.
This week remember a list of words ...next week forgets everything.
Worst still can even forget what they learn in P3...
So my child grades are Band 3 ...headache...heartbreaks...
My child has tried Morris Allen/ I can read.
The feedback I had from Morris Allen is that they are wondering whether my child had any illness which might had cause her to have brain damage :shock:
FYI , I did send my child for tests to gauge whether she has learning disabilty...
Result came out she is normal ....but her English language is 2 years below her peers
So now I send her to a brain concentration class -ECG..
Hope it helps to improve her concentration....
Still the feedback I get from this centre...is whether was there any illness which might had cause her to have 'short memory' ...
Last nite I was so disappointed that she forgot how to do
\" Change Improper Fraction into Mixed Numbers...
And it is not even problem sum....
I am so worry...I know it would be a miracle if my child can go to Express Stream in Sec 1....
Worry if she goes to Normal Stream and she will be bullied by the rowdy children :?:
Anybody can help....or advice ...Thanks
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