A guide on the importance of inclusive learning.
Apart from providing qualitative academics and results, it is also necessary for schools to address their pupil’s psychological wellbeing. One such concern is attention deficiency. Parents also grapple with this challenge at home, to improve the attention span of their children in terms of educational proficiency. Attention deficiency can cause difficulties for children at school; concentrating in class, interacting with fellow students, daily routines and academic performances and so on.
Keep reading to learn about attention deficiency, symptoms and causes, and how schools and parents can effectively work with it.
WHAT IS ATTENTION DEFICENCY?
Attention deficiency refers to challenges in maintaining focus, staying attentive for extended periods of time, organizing tasks, managing time effectively, and avoiding distractions. It can impact performance in school, work, or daily activities, varying in severity and symptoms among individuals. Children with attention deficiency don’t notice details and occasionally make errors in schoolwork, or at any other requiring tasks. It can be a widely common struggle with allocating work, time management, and meeting deadlines for academic students.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES:
Common symptoms of Attention Deficiency include neglect to details, forgetfulness, consistently beginning new tasks without completing current ones, lack of focus or prioritization, disorganization, constant daydreaming. Hyperactivity can also be seen in some kids through behaviors like tapping, fidgeting, squirming, restlessness and constant movement.
Hereditary is a dominant causal factor in attention deficiency. Research studies suggest that attention deficiency tends to run in families, through defects in genetic components. Differences in brain structure and function, particularly in regions involved in attention, such as prefrontal cortex have been observed in individuals with attention deficiency. Abnormalities or delays in brain development during critical periods in childhood can affect attention regulation. Imbalances or irregularities in neurotransmitters such as dopamine, and norepinephrine can also contribute to attention difficulties. Stressful life events, inconsistent parenting practices, neglect and abuse are some of the psychological factors contributing to attention deficiency.
Contributors to Attention Deficiency:
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Food Habits: The effects of junk food on attention deficiency, can exacerbate symptoms and contribute to difficulties in concentration and behavior. Junk food is often low in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain function and development. Poor diet quality from junk food may impair cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and decision-making, which are important for academic and daily functioning.
- Screen Time & Social Networking: Phones, with their constant notifications from apps, and entertainment options, can easily distract children from their course works. Excessive phone use can detract from completing tasks efficiently, as individuals may frequently switch between tasks or lose track of time.
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Parenting & Lifestyle: Children learn through observation and imitation. If parents demonstrate distractibility, disorganization, or lack of focus, children may adopt similar behaviors. Avoidant parenting can affect children’s ability to regulate emotions effectively, leading to emotional dysregulations that can impact attention and concentration.
HOW SCHOOLS AND PARENTS CAN ACT UPON ATTENTION DEFICENCY?
Educators must work on skillfully to break the developmental barriers and social barriers faced by their students. Emphasizing on inclusive learning is necessary, and the education industry must take consistent and rigorous action to bring it into practice.
For Schools: Schools should stress upon providing a diverse curriculum, including visual, auditory and tactile learning systems. Sensory learning is a great method for students with attention deficiency to understand concepts and theories. Allowing kids to think and explore the education provided is still a concept in many schools, but not practiced.
Creating a supportive environment for students is necessary. Teaching aids in classroom, Science Park equipment within school campus can occupy students in learning as well as add playfulness and creativity. Schools can also implement multi-sensory approaches and interactive activities to engage the child in learning. Fostering the need to think outside the box can make the child concentrate more on a particular concept for a longer period of time. Teachers can share observations and insights about the child’s behavior and learning in the classroom with parents.
For Parents: Parents should make it a priority that their off springs engage in healthier habits, such as regular exercise, sufficient sleep, that can improve their focus and attention. Providing balanced meals and limiting screen time shall promote their overall well-being. Instead of allowing screen-time, give them ideas for DIY experiments with simple home ingredients. Uplift their mood once they complete their daily routine with positive reinforcements like decorative stickers, tokens and candy. Teaching specific social skills through role-playing and observing appropriate behaviors can be beneficial for children with attention deficit. Be emotionally available to your children
Inattention can be excruciating for children, in a classroom set up or at family dinner. It is the elder’s responsibility around them, to aid with proper intervention. Shifting from customary schooling to inclusive learning practices, like STEM or STEAM education, can empower kids with wider knowledge on subject and strengthen individuality. If the severity of symptoms present is higher, in such a case, do not hesitate to consulate a professional psychologist or occupational therapist.
