Attention and Communication
Written by Sarah Snider, M.A., CCC-SLP
Attention can be tricky for kids and adults. In this blog, we will discuss more about attention and some ways you can help support your child’s attention skills at home.
Presenting Cookie Monster in “The Biscotti Kid!”
In this fun video, Cookie Monster learns that he must practice the core principles of Whole Body Listening - “eyes watch, ears listen, voice quiet, body caaaaalm” - to become a true master of Biscotti Karate.
Much like our beloved Mr. Monster, every day our kiddos are practicing the art of paying attention so they can master new skills.
Attention is “the act or power of carefully thinking about, listening to, or watching someone or something” (Miriam Webster).
There are many different types of attention:
Focused: think or listen to what’s important and ignore the rest (listen to Mom and ignore younger sibling in the background, the dog barking, or the dishwasher going).
Sustained: also called vigilance. Maintain attention for a prolonged period of time (Example: listen to a long story)
Divided: involves working memory as well. Being able to do two tasks at the same time (Example: listen to a string of numbers and letter, but count only the number of letters, have a conversation while unpacking a backpack and deciding where everything goes)
Selective: able to stay focused and not get distracted (Example: concentrate on a worksheet while others in the classroom are talking)
Alternating: shift attention between tasks. (Example: listening to a teacher and taking notes)
Ways to Encourage Strong Attention
We get information from our world in many different ways, and using our attention helps us to make the most out of these learning opportunities. So, how can we set our kids, and ourselves, up for success? Well, it turns out that there are LOTS of ways to support attention at home.
As adults, we use many of these strategies without even thinking about the fact that we really are supporting our attention and memory systems. Different types of attention may need different strategies. Different places, such as home versus school, may also require different strategies. Some children may need a little more help determining which supports are best for them, and there may be some trial and error periods to find what works best for you and your child. Speech-language pathologists are trained to help add these supports when working on speech, language, and literacy.
Whole body listening: eyes are watching, ears are listening, mouth is quiet, body calm. This helps your child get the most clues- auditory information through the ears, visual information (like pointing, showing, or demonstrating) through the eyes, and removing extra noise with a “quiet mouth”. Just like Cookie Monster in “The Biscotti Kid”!
Self-Talk: Talk to yourself quietly or inside your head “I need two things: get my shoes and my backpack.” This works best after a direction is given and the child is trying the task independently.
Focus attention:
Attent-o-scope: Help your child really focus on key information by asking them to “put on their attent-o-scope”. You might say, “Cup your hands around your eyes (like binoculars). Switch it on! Put it down (but pretend like it’s still there.)”
Visuals: Things like charts or checklists may help your child check-in to see if they have finished a task.
Written calendars/checklists: I can’t even imagine what my life would look like without my calendar and checklists to keep me on track!
Watch alarms: Sometimes a little “buzzzz” on my wrist is all I need to leave the house on time.
Attention is critical in learning language, particularly for reading and writing. If you would like to learn more, one of our team members would love to chat with you about ways to support your child with this important skill set!
