Tools of Learning for Attention Deficient Children

Attention deficiency in students has become more prevalent in classrooms over the past few years. There has been an increase in the number of students being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and this may be connected to teachers and parents knowing and recognizing the symptoms associated with this disorder. Although many children still remain undiagnosed, it is important for teachers to cater to students who show signs of this disability. Attention deficiency is characterized by behaviors such as poor listening skills, an inability to complete tasks and the inability to stay still, resulting in repetitive body movements.

Minimizing distractions

It is the teacher's responsibility to make sure that the classroom is arranged in a manner that is effective and conducive for student learning. Students with ADHD tend to become overstimulated when placed in groups and may get distracted easily if placed at the back of the class or near a window. For these reasons, it is best to arrange desks in a way that allows the student with ADHD to sit in the front of the class. An effective desk arrangement would be to organize the desks in pairs and columns so that the student is not left out of group formations.

Keep it short and sweet

With technology becoming increasingly important and relevant for today's students, teachers should develop interactive and innovative computer-based projects and tasks. These computer lessons provide interactive methods to keep students involved and motivated, and could be completed in short durations a few times a week. According to Dr. Geoff Kewley, author of "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Can Teachers Do?," having shorter tasks allows students with attention deficiency to remain more focused and prevents distraction. By incorporating frequent, shorter-length computer tasks into lessons, the teacher can make learning interactive and enjoyable for all students.

Repeat frequently

Teachers need to repeat instructions frequently and clearly, as well as review tasks that were previously completed. Dr. Kewley explains that this will cement the correct behavior of what is expected of the student by providing task cues. Rewarding children with attention deficiency through preferred activities can be more effective than concrete rewards by allowing the students to choice their tasks. These preferred activities could include working on a computer or playing a game, and should be reinforced when the student exhibits positive behavior.

Teachers can encourage positive behavior in students with attention deficiency by adjusting the way they teach different tasks. Teachers should avoid repetitive tasks, break down tasks into short steps, give clear, concise instructions, and build on the complexity of tasks once the student tackles each task. Initially, assignments should be relatively short to retain attention. Once the student has been successful with shorter assignments, the teacher can start administering more complex tasks. These steps also enhance the child's self-esteem and confidence, which encourages positive behavior.