Minti - Recent Comments on Question "a child that won't stay on task"

a child that won't stay on task

sallygay — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 14:05:22 -0800

hi i have the same trouble with my son who is ten. he has the same trouble at school also. i have read the other comments. iwas told to have him checked for adah but did not have that. i have tried all the advice that has been written and none seems to work. if you find anything useful please let me know. i have meeting on friday with his teacher. he also goes to high school next year which worries me also. its hard because i know that he can do it all he just says that he finds it boring.when he does do his homework he flies throgh it.

a child that won't stay on task

zj — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 13:50:56 -0800

I hate to be bias but is that an 11 year old thing or a male thing - he sounds just like my husband!

a child that won't stay on task

elizabeth — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 12:46:34 -0800

Is that true attention defecit hyperactive disorder. My understanding of this now very common condition is that with the hyperactivity, the kids can not keep still and are very diruptive. With true ADHD there is a chemical imbalance in the brain. I hope your son is doing well now.

a child that won't stay on task

Dawn — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 06:27:11 -0800

I would suggest, thatyou ask your son's school to test him for ADHD. Child who have this are usually very brillant, but cannot concentrate on a simple task without being instructed over and over again, it is also background noises that they cannot filter out thereby diverting their attention and making their minds wander. I speak to you from personal experience as my 11 yr old son has the same problem, and although it is frustrating it is treatable. Mind you, I am NOT say ing that your son has this, I am suggesting that you consult your doctor and have testing done through him as well as his school. If this is frustrating you think of how it must be for him! Good luck and keep me posted

a child that won't stay on task

BecB — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 04:43:24 -0800

I have found with my two girls if I offer a reward like when we get all the jobs done we will go to the park or beach even just going for a walk works You just need to find out what he likes to do and work it into a reward for good behavior and make sure you tell him and anyone around what a great job he's doing or done will help alot I mean we all like to be praised for our work I hope that helps

a child that won't stay on task

elizabeth — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 19:56:50 -0800

I worked it out. I found this advice to be very useful too.

http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1751/Homework-Hell-7-Tips-for-Getting-Back-on-Track/

a child that won't stay on task

cheleinkal — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 19:56:40 -0800

Have you tried timing hm using pehaps an egg timer. He has to try and beat the timer. Maybe he just needs to feel more challenged.

Has he been checked out for attention defficite dissorder?? Omega 3 fish oil is supposed to be good for that.

He may also have any number of food allergies as the symptoms of such allergies are many and varied, lack of concentration being rather a common one.

I suggest you take him to a dietician specialising in diagnosis of allergies or a naturapath if you want to check out this avenue.

In the mean time I wish you the best of luck and strength of perseverance.

a child that won't stay on task

elizabeth — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 19:52:35 -0800

This sounds like my daughter. A change in diet, a timetable and encouraging her to be self motivated seems to have worked. Her homework timetable is divided into half hour slots. What she doesn't finish in that half hour she has to leave for the next day. If she still has not completed her homework by the weekend, she has to spend time on that before doing what she wants to do. It has been remarkable how well this has worked. Also excluding junk food, or junky snacks from her daily menu has improved her general demeanour and even the teacher has noticed that she doesn't daydream as much. She also has affirmations on her desk that she changes about once a month. With chores, I suggest that for a little while, maybe reduce what he needs to do, just until he does that chore well and within an exceptable time frame. It may be unfair to other family members and you, but I think it would help. With my daughter's room, I have told her that as long as there aren't clothes on the floor, I am not too concerned as long as Sunday evening, her room is ready for a good week at school.

Also, ask your son what he wants help with and how he thinks he can be helped to move quicker. When I asked my daughter this question, she stated that she didn't want me to tell her to hurry up any more, to just ask her or tell her that she needs to move a bit quicker. I hope some of this helps. What ever you do, you need to be consistent, and it will take some time to see soem improvement. There is also some advice on homework issues here in minti. I can't work out how to place the link for it though.