Short Attention Span In Children

Have you ever wondered why the average attention span in children is so limited . . . why your little one can't stick with anything for more than a nanosecond? Well, much of that is just typical young child; however, did you know that reading to your little ones helps to develop the average attention span in children and the ability to concentrate at length?

Reading to young children encourages them to sit down and focus as they listen to a story . . . to sit down and focus as they look at the pictures . . . to sit down and focus as they follow the story being read to them. The average attention span in children, and their ability to concentrate at length, develops gradually over time as you continue to read and as the books you read grow in length and detail. This development continues as your child grows and becomes an independent reader as well. This is why it is so important to make reading a part of your daily routine.

Skills can only develop if they are practiced, and reading to your child gives her the ability to practice focusing and developing her attention span. And . . . having the ability to stick with a task and finish it through to completion is a necessary and invaluable skill to have as your child grows older, not only for academic success but also for future success in general.

Did you know that watching too much TV will have a detrimental effect on the average attention span in children, and on their ability to concentrate at length? TV is a constantly changing medium that jumps from one topic to another in hopes of gaining and retaining viewership. Add in a couple of commercials and you're lucky if any one, continuous, focused stream of thought stays the same for more than a couple of minutes! Yes, minutes!


Throw in the remote control on top of that, where viewers flip from station to station, and your continuous and focused stream of thought is reduced from a couple of minutes to mere seconds. And we wonder why the average attention span in children is so short. How can we possibly expect our children to focus and stick with anything when TV reinforces immediate gratification?


It is important to remember here that TV isn't the problem - it is the amount of TV that children watch that is the problem.


* This is so very true! It is very important for all parents to understand and be aware of this..... Reo.


So, make a point to read a book together . . . often . . . daily, if possible . . . and help your child develop her attention span and the concentration skills she needs to perform and to succeed.



" A man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them." -- Mark Twain


Article by Little Ones Reading Resource.

Top 10 Advantages Of Having ADD

Compassion
People with ADD have a tremendous power to connect with other people. But it goes a step further than that. We also have an advanced ability to empathize with others, and to see many different perspectives.

Creativity
I've never met an ADDer who wasn't creative! Writers, Painters, Musicians, Film-makers, Designers, Sculptors, Comedians and the list goes on! Artistic talents are abundant. Composers Mozart and Beethoven are believed to have had ADD.

Drive
When an ADDer is bored with a task, completing it can seem like torture. But give an ADDer an interesting project to work on and watch out! When we want to succeed, and we have the necessary tools to do so, there is no stopping us!

Problem Solving Ability
ADDers thrive on solving problems and puzzles. Give us an interesting problem to solve and we won't be able to drop it until we've found the solution! Important historical inventors such as Thomas Edison and Thomas Jefferson are believed to have had ADD.

Hyper-Focus
The ability to hyper-focus is something that ADDers can use to our advantage. When we kept under control and directed towards productive tasks, like accomplishing goals and living dreams, it can be an incredible asset that allows us to get the job done, and done well.

Sense of Humor/Comedic Flair
Most ADDers love to laugh, and many also have a knack for making others laugh! Famous comedians such as Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams are rumored to have ADD.

Resiliency
There's no denying that even though there are many great qualities that come along with ADD, there are also challenges.But ADDers have an incredible ability to bounce back from those challenges, and others' criticism of those challenges that we've endured.

Intuition
ADDers have a sharp sense of intuition. This may be due to highly tuned levels of perception, or great insight into the human mind, or something else that we have yet to understand. Whatever the reason, it's a very useful gift!

Idea Generating
ADDers are wonderful idea generators. We don't usually like to be bothered with details, but we can come up with ideas at lighting speed! We're a true asset in  brainstorming meetings!

That "Special Something"
Many ADDers feel that they have a unique was of looking at the world, a perspective that others just dont understand. That is, until the ADDer meets other people with ADD! You might say that we're on our own wavelength!


Article by ADD Coach Jennifer Koretsly.
  

Qualities of a good teacher

Have you ever wondered what makes a great teacher? What separates a mediocre teacher from a terrific teacher? It's not easy to define, however, here's a list of qualities listed by parents, principals, educators and students.

Are you a Special Teacher?

1. You love your role, you love being with your students and you couldn't imagine doing anything else. You were meant to teach special needs children, you know this in your heart.

2. You have a great deal of patience and know that little steps in learning go a long way.

3. You know your students well and they are comfortable and at ease with you, they enjoy having you as their teacher and look forward to going school each day.

4. You provide a non-threatening, welcome environment that nurtures each of the students you work with.

5. You understand your students, you know what motivates them and you know how to scaffold activities to ensure that maximum learning occurs.

6. You take each student from where they are and provide experiences that will maximize success. You're always discovering new things about your students.

7. You are very comfortable working with exceptional learners and learners with diverse needs.

8. You thrive on challenge, can easily build relationships with your students and your student's parents.

9. You are a life-long learner and committed to the profession.

10. You have a never ending willingness to ensure that all students reach their maximum potential. You constantly strive to 'reach and teach' every student under your care.

by Sue Watson

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is generally considered to be a neurobiological disorder. Researchers believe that the symptoms of ADHD are caused by chemicals in the brain not working properly. It is characterised by the inability to sustain focused attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.

There are 3 types, based on the latest diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM-IV :

• ADHD with the combined characteristics of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention
• ADHD with inattention as the primary characteristic
• ADHD with hyperactivity and impulsivity as primary characteristics

The first and third types are most often and easily identified because these children tend to have symptoms that are highly noticeable. These are the ADHD children who are loud, always on the go, take risks, engage in dangerous behavior, and talk back to adults. The second group, which is often where females are placed, are the quiet daydreamers. They lose personal belongings, can't work alone, don't finish tasks, and are often lost in their own thoughts.

ADHD/ADD is usually diagnosed when the child is at the age of 6-10 years old, although some children may be diagnosed earlier or later. About 3% of the student population have ADHD/ADD. This means that there are likely to be 1 or 2 ADHD child(ren) in each class of 40 students. Boys are 4-6 times more likely than girls to have ADHD/ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Children with ADD are like those with ADHD, except that they do not exist much of the hyperactivity symptoms.

List of problems typically faced by ADHD children :

Inattentive

• Difficulty following through on instructions and in organizing tasks
• Failing to give close attention and avoiding careless mistakes
• Difficulty in listening to others or focusing on required work without being distracted or interrupting
• Losing things necessary for tasks or activities
• Difficulty in getting work done in class and completing homework
• Avoid tasks that require substained mental effort
• Forgetful in daily activities

Hyperactive

• Cannot sit still, walk around in class, cannot stay seated to complete one meal
• Like a walking tornado - creating a mess wherever he goes
• Fidgeting with hands or feet or squirming in their seat
• Difficulty remaining seated when required to do so
• Has difficulty in playing quietly / talk excessively
• Disrupting the class

Impulsive

• Difficulty in waiting for turn in tasks, games or group situations; Wants things now
• Blurting out answers to questions before questions have been completed
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others

Other list of problems encountered with a ADHD/ADD child include :

• Sloppy / illegible handwriting
• Getting into fights with peers
• Low self-esteem
• Aggressive / immature

Causes of ADHD/AD :

No one is certain what the key causes of ADHD/ADD are. Possible causes include :

• Genetic disposition - e.g. strong right-brainedness or creativity but poor left-brainedness for detailed analytical skills
• Partial brain damage during gestation
• Lack of necessary chemicals in the brain for normal brain functioning
• Dietary causes / Allergy problems
• Other learning disabilities that makes the child lose interest or motivation

Parenting style is not the cause for the mis-behavior of the ADHD/ADD child although good parenting style can help ADHD/ADD child behaves better.

Strength of ADHD children :

Children with ADHD / ADD are usually creative and daring. Other strengths of the ADHD /ADD child may include :

• Good at maths
• Read well
• Artistic
• Good gross motor skill
• Good computer skills
• Good memory
• Helpful
• Kind to others
• Loves outdoor activities
• Good with animals
• Variety of interests, etc

10 tips for "surviving" your ADHD/ADD child :

• Have realistic expectations on what your can or cannot do
• Have routines that helps the child get his work done
• Simplify your life - your ADHD/ADD child needs more of your time, energy and attention than other normal child
• Accept your child's situation and focus on his strengths and interests
• Be fair, firm and consistent with your discipline
• Teach incompetent behavior and punish rebellious behavior - need to know / distingush the difference between incompetent or rebellious behavior by looking at his intention, rather than what he has done
• Avoid allowing either you or your child to become fatigued
• Only take your child to places where he has a chance to be successful (e.g. open park or carpeted floor where he can run around and fall, etc.)
• Watch less TV, not more
• Take good care of yourself too (e.g. enjoy sunsets, go for walks, etc.); Otherwise you may not have the energy or patience to properly guide and teach your ADHD/ADD child when he need you to do so

For more information and support, visit http://www.spark.org.sg/index.html.

11 traits of a good teacher

First, there is no hard and fast list that tells you who is a good teacher or who is not a good teacher. However, there are traits that excellent teachers have in common. These are not the usual qualities such as being a good friend or having a nice personality. These are what researchers from around the world have found when they watched those teachers whose students excelled once they left that teacher's classroom. Of course, not every teacher is going to be a skillful teacher for every child and a child spends only about 8 percent of the year in school, which means that regardless of the quality of teacher, a supportive home environment is essential to excellent learning.

1. Be unsatisfied. The first trait of a high-quality teacher is that he or she is a good learner. They are always eager to learn new things, expand their knowledge base, experiment with better ways to achieve success. They are lifelong learners and they produce lifelong learners. So, the first trait is to be unsatisfied with what is. In other words, the best teacher is always a student.

2. High expectations. High expectations are the second trait of outstanding teachers. I once had a principal who said having high expectations created failure. In other words, the principal did not want to set high goals for fear of parent complaints. In reality, setting high standards brings out the best in students and creates in them a feeling of accomplishment. They become self-reliant, learn to delay gratification, and fit more readily into adulthood where competition is inevitable. High standards are not impossible standards. Setting high expectations may require making the student uncomfortable, much like taking the training wheels off a bicycle. In other words, good teachers encourage risk taking and accept errors.

3. Create independence. Thirdly, highly effective educators are adept at monitoring student problems and progress. They remediate when necessary and differentiate as needed. To do this they use their time well. They are not the center of the classroom. The students are encouraged to look for help and answers on their own. They are passionate about not teaching, but facilitating learning. As such, they are promoting their own obsolescence. Just as a fine manager has a team in place that can operate well without him or her, a good teacher creates in a student a sense of self that lasts a lifetime. They promote a deeper understanding of concepts and work habits than just learning the curriculum suggests. In other words, they create independence.

4. Knowledgeable. Fourth, they possess a deep knowledge of the subject matter and are able to manipulate, simplify, and individualize this data more easily because they are a master of it. To gain this they are not just hard workers, but have a passion for the subject. They are able to empathize with students who might not like that subject and turn that lack of enthusiasm around by presenting the facts from a different angle. In other words, their bumper sticker reads, "This teacher stops for new ideas."

5. Humor. Fifth, first-class teachers have a good sense of humor. They make jokes and accept jokes. They are not comedians, but they are entertaining. They tell stories, point out silly things, bring joy to difficult situations, and are not afraid of laughter. They use humor to connect to their students. In other words, excellent teachers keep the students' attention without fear.

6. Insightful. The sixth trait is to provide quick and accurate assessment of student work. Tests and other projects are evaluated in a timely manner. The student work may not be filled with red marks or gold stars, but it is returned with the understanding of what was right and what could be improved. Without constant evaluation a learning child cannot make the progress of a student who is guided. A helpful teacher does not discourage original thinking, but it must be proven. At all times, the best educator is looking for the student's reasoning, rather than the answer. In other words, for the insightful teacher, student assessment assesses the teacher's performance and provides ideas of what changes both need to make to improve.

7. Flexible. Seventh, the best teachers use the community as their resource. They see education as more than what is done in the classroom. They belong to civic groups, participate in organizations, and use their contacts to enhance student learning. For example, they bring in guest speakers, seek donations from the community as needs arise, and allow their students to display their work for the citizenry to critique and enjoy. They use technology as an extension of the community and find new resources to make their lessons more attractive. They use a newspaper and current events to open a child's mind to what is happening in the world and at all times they search for a teachable moment (any instance where a child expresses an interest in something that could be used to stimulate their learning). This includes both negative and positive items and is the main reason lesson plans are never mentioned as a trait of good teaching. Superior teachers abandon them to follow more encouraging leads. This is why educators and education is so misunderstood by those who feel children are cans of soup, all alike and open, ready for knowledge to be poured in and sealed. Excellent teachers encourage student input and use the community to make for more invigorating teaching. In other words, a quality instructor is a master of flexibility.

8. Diverse. Eighth, a first-rate teacher provides an array of methods to learn. They integrate the lessons among several subjects; they use research papers, artwork, poetry and even physical education as part of the learning process. For example, when a child is studying an explorer the teacher shows them how many miles per hour they walk, how to create a graph of the calories they would need, make a map of the trip with legend, write a journal of what they saw, draw pictures of the flora and fauna, and make a presentation of what the student felt was the best and worst part of the discovery. In other words, the proficient educator offers children a diverse array of avenues to pursue excellence.

9. Unaccepting. Ninth, a quality teacher is unaccepting. They do not accept pat answers. They do not accept first drafts. They do not accept false excuses. They are not the easiest teachers because of this trait. Education is, in essence, the disciplining of the mind. A student who knows the rules knows what to expect and knows what is right. The best teachers are those that have appropriate standards and that build good habits. In other words, a superior teacher understands what a child needs now and in the future.

10. Unconforming. The tenth, and perhaps most interesting trait, is that a quality teacher keeps children off balance. The student is not bored, but challenged. When a child who has a skillful teacher comes home, they talk about what they did in class. They are riled up, they are motivated, and they know they need to be ready for the unexpected. A high-quality teacher can be dressed up in an outfit, show a video, take them to the library, have them work on a project, create lessons for one another, work on a computer, proofread a classmate's work, and invent a game to play at recess, all before noon. One day is seldom like the next. There is continuity, but diversity is everywhere.

11. A communicator. Of note that not one research paper said a trait of good quality teachers were their bulletin boards, tidy rooms, easy grades, ability to write neatly or dress well. All the traits dealt with the ability to trigger learning, and thus the most important trait of all is the ability to communicate.

by Alan Haskvitz

What is good teaching?

Great teaching doesn't just happen by accident. It requires dedication, a love of children, a love of learning, endless patience and enthusiasm just to name a few. Measure yourself against the top 10 list here to see how you measure up.
One. Good teaching is as much about passion as it is about reason. It's about not only motivating students to learn, but teaching them how to learn, and doing so in a manner that is relevant, meaningful, and memorable. It's about caring for your craft, having a passion for it, and conveying that passion to everyone, most importantly to your students.

Two. Good teaching is about substance and treating students as consumers of knowledge. It's about doing your best to keep on top of your field, reading sources, inside and outside of your areas of expertise, and being at the leading edge as often as possible. But knowledge is not confined to scholarly journals. Good teaching is also about bridging the gap between theory and practice. It's about leaving the ivory tower and immersing oneself in the field, talking to, consulting with, and assisting practitioners, and liaisoning with their communities.

Three. Good teaching is about listening, questioning, being responsive, and remembering that each student and class is different. It's about eliciting responses and developing the oral communication skills of the quiet students. It's about pushing students to excel; at the same time, it's about being human, respecting others, and being professional at all times.

Four. Good teaching is about not always having a fixed agenda and being rigid, but being flexible, fluid, experimenting, and having the confidence to react and adjust to changing circumstances. It's about getting only 10 percent of what you wanted to do in a class done and still feeling good. It's about deviating from the course syllabus or lecture schedule easily when there is more and better learning elsewhere. Good teaching is about the creative balance between being an authoritarian dictator on the one hand and a pushover on the other.

Five. Good teaching is also about style. Should good teaching be entertaining? You bet! Does this mean that it lacks in substance? Not a chance! Effective teaching is not about being locked with both hands glued to a podium or having your eyes fixated on a slide projector while you drone on. Good teachers work the room and every student in it. They realize that they are the conductors and the class is the orchestra. All students play different instruments and at varying proficiencies.

Six. This is very important -- good teaching is about humor. It's about being self-deprecating and not taking yourself too seriously. It's often about making innocuous jokes, mostly at your own expense, so that the ice breaks and students learn in a more relaxed atmosphere where you, like them, are human with your own share of faults and shortcomings.

Seven. Good teaching is about caring, nurturing, and developing minds and talents. It's about devoting time, often invisible, to every student. It's also about the thankless hours of grading, designing or redesigning courses, and preparing materials to still further enhance instruction.

Eight. Good teaching is supported by strong and visionary leadership, and very tangible institutional support -- resources, personnel, and funds. Good teaching is continually reinforced by an overarching vision that transcends the entire organization -- from full professors to part-time instructors -- and is reflected in what is said, but more importantly by what is done.

Nine. Good teaching is about mentoring between senior and junior faculty, teamwork, and being recognized and promoted by one's peers. Effective teaching should also be rewarded, and poor teaching needs to be remediated through training and development programs.

Ten. At the end of the day, good teaching is about having fun, experiencing pleasure and intrinsic rewards ... like locking eyes with a student in the back row and seeing the synapses and neurons connecting, thoughts being formed, the person becoming better, and a smile cracking across a face as learning all of a sudden happens. Good teachers practice their craft not for the money or because they have to, but because they truly enjoy it and because they want to. Good teachers couldn't imagine doing anything else.

by Prof. Richard Leblanc

Learning to Read : A Focus on Struggling Readers

Learning to read may seem like quite a natural process. However, step back and think about what it's like when you pick up a newspaper, book or label that is written in a foreign language. Think about the way Mandarin/Chinese print looks and then imagine reading it and disecting each of the written forms. This is what our alphabet often feels and looks like to a new or struggling reader. For these readers, 3 steps need to be in place to ensure learning to read is successful for them:

Step 1 is promoting self-esteem and confidence.
Step 2 is make reading a pleasurable and enjoyable experience.
Step 3 is to use a variety of approaches, after all, each learner is different.

Most importantly, be patient and see the small steps as big successes.

by Sue Watson