Baby UNINTERRUPTED

Low concentration or poor attention levels are a growing problem amongst school going kids. Have you realised though, sustaining those concentration levels start from the baby stage. As adults we loathe being interrupted when in the middle of a busy task, but we never give a second thought as to how our baby feels whilst they are busy staring at their pop up book or tinkering with their little TOMY truck or even staring adoringly at the label of one of their toys, we march on in and instantaneously take them away, breaking their level of concentration. Of course, we ask seriously what were they really doing, staring at their little automated truck going round and round is not really anything to interrupt, but we are crucially breaking that moment when they are learning to concentrate, when they are learning to hold a single train of thought and give it their full attention. Then in later years we hold our hands up in despair when our children won’t settle down to do one task set before. This is because that fostering of concentration, the ability to concentrate should be nurtured from a young age. Here are some ways to strive to encourage concentration in children from a young age.

Minimal entertainment and

stimulation: Of course it goes without saying that putting a child in front of the T.V is not going to build their concentration. In fact the constant changes in picture on the T.V causes the child to lapse into a state of absorption minus active use of their mind. As parents also we feel that babies and toddlers might be easily bored and we strive harder to make their days entertaining. But in fact according to the experts, it is in fact the parents who are bored and children are never instinctively tired of their surroundings. All that is around them, including themselves are new to them and they are quite happy just being.

A safe and cosy place: It is always best to provide a separate, safe place for the baby to play. A place where they are not interrupting you or getting into the general affairs of the house. In this place the baby can explore without parental interruptions and without the constant “NO” ringing in their ears.

No need for complicated toys: As toddlers, they are inquisitive about everything, from a piece of cloth to any shiny things-ama jeebs. A cardboard box offers them inopportune ideas to have fun. So it is safe to say that one does not have to rush out and break the bank by buying every screeching, colourful toy out there. In fact these toys are a bit frowned on, since they offer the child minimal room to think on their own, like the T.V everything is in front of them, all they have to do is to push a button. This does not help to stimulate the mind that is thirsty for knowledge at this young age.

Observe and never interrupt: Allow your child to spend time in their safe place, playpen, crib etc uninterrupted. Observe rather than offer a form of entertainment. If they are engrossed in whatever has grabbed their attention, let them wallow in it wholeheartedly.

Don’t encourage distraction: Experts also recommend that babies not be discouraged from the task at hand. For example, when changing a diaper we are all guilty of distracting them so we can get the job done less messier and quicker. But experts encourage that we involve the baby in these minimal tasks. In this way we are ascertaining at an earlier age for babies and later children to be involved in their activities.

Making an effort to keep your children focused from an earlier age will help later in life when your children are in school. In the first year of a baby’s life they are constantly learning and if we curtail and direct this learning in the fashion that we desire, my job later in life will be much easier. Therefore next-time when your baby is nose deep in their fluffy bedtime book, thick twice before you interrupt them!!!

Allow your child to spend time in their safe place, playpen, crib uninterrupted. Observe rather than offer a form of entertainment. If they are engrossed in whatever has grabbed their attention, let them wallow in it wholeheartedly