How can I help her with this?

Question

My 6 year old daughter is having a problem in school. She’s not getting her work done. Her teacher tells me that she’s very smart, but she‘s very easily distracted and daydreams a lot. When she has someone to keep her focused, she gets the days work done in less than an hour. How can I help her learn to ignore little distractions?

Answer 1

Music can be an aid to concentration, it works on my two boys when I want them to concentrate on homework. You need 'Baroque' music. Ask her teacher if you can have it playing quietly in the background, it will benefit the whole class and the teacher will love you or maybe your daughter can use an mp3 player. Less T.V. will aid her concentration skills as well. Does she play well on her own? Use Baroque music in the background then too to make new concentration pathways in her brain. A supplement like omega 3 will help as well or just eat fish a couple of times a week. Consider not worrying so much, she sounds like a normal little girl to me. There is no ADHD here, if there was she wouldn't be sitting still daydreaming! Make a deal with her to be allowed to do all the daydreaming she wants as soon as all her work is done. Remember, dreaming is just another way of thinking- she is still using her brain. She could be the next H.G.Wells!!

Answer 2

Sometimes it's just a maturity thing, and sometimes it can be an ADHD thing, but either way, it's best just to treat it as a positive thing you want to enforce (i.e., start focusing more) instead of a negative thing you want to stop (i.e., stop daydreaming), because a little time and maturity may lead to her outgrowing it. If it's lack of motivation, reward her for good days, and no reward when too much distraction happens. You can even put a chart on a fridge, with a prize on top of the fridge, and if she does well each day for five days in a row she gets the fantastic prize up there!

Answer 3

Part of this is maturity. In our fast paced lives, we tend to forget that 6 is really very young. And school demands a lot more from kids now that it used to. Think about it.... an HOUR of concentrating on academic work? That is a LOT for a little one.

Research shows most kids do better with more physical time and the little ones have so little recess now. Maybe ask the teacher for more frequent times for your daughter to move about.

I'd also evaluate the class environment and see if it is best for her. Perhaps a different one, like a montessori, might better serve her creative little spirit.

Answer 4

You should ask your daughter's teacher to see if you can go to her class and observe her without her knowing it. See if it is the teacher's fault, maybe she is too boring and not intelectually stimulating enough for your daughter. If that is the case, then transfer to another school. You can also try some medication, but to me that seems a little unnatural. One thing you can do, though it might make your daughter feel embarassed, is to ask her teacher to keep calling on your daughter to ask questions. If she doesn't answer correctly enough times, maybe it will trigger something in her mind to pay attention so that next time she won't daydream and then be humilated the next second.

Answer 5

A bit early, but sounds like symptoms of ADHD to me. Mine did the exact same thing. If he wasnt getting one on one attention, then his mind was out the window. He's also very smart---easily bored. Lots of kids are getting diagnosed with this, but it is a true condition that can be treated with meds. 6yrs does seem a bit young to be worried yet though. Unfortunately there is no way to "teach" her to ignore distractions. (other than following her to school and constantly reminding her every 5min. to pay attention) It's the teachers job to keep her challenged enough. Maybe she should be in more advanced type classes? good luck

Answer 6

Sometimes it has a lot to do with the teacher and what grade they are in. Kindergarden is pretty easy for most kids.1st on ther hand is a bit harder.Because the whole time they are in first grade they are preparing the students for second grade.If your daughter likes to day dream maybe it might be a good idea to get her a journal.Ask her to write out stories and things like that.My 8 year old is having a hard time adjusting to third grade and basically its because the teachers bless their hearts dont get paid enough and sometimes they just dont make learning fun.When it comes to children these days school is boring to those who have good imaginations.Because as i said earlier the teachers dont make the learning fun.they are just trying to pour whatever information into your kid they can in the time alotted.Make learning fun for your child .Get her to write stories ,sit with her while she does her homework,let her read to you her favorite book.Make learning fun:)Hope that helps.

Answer 7

First of, I have no personal problem with medication when it is necessary. That being said, don't immediately fall into the trap of drugging your child. Unfortunately many schools and therapists assume this is the first and best recourse. Your child may need more outlets for her creativity and intelligence. I myself was a gifted child who lucked out to have parents that recognized this and supported me. I was allowed to skip a few grades in school and participate in extracurricular activities that kept me occupied. However, don't overdo it and take away her childhood.

Answer 8

Hi, I have a 7yr old son with the same prob. I asked the teacher to move his desk so he's sitting on his own. Apparently that has helped alot. Also keep reminding her to ignore people talking to her. Goodluck!

Answer 9

I think its not a serious problem...children in this age normally concentrate on playing than studies generally as their mind in class also thinks about last day wat they played and today who n all will come to play when they reach home and so many things related to their innocent minds. So as a mother u shld ask her wat she thinks and say day dreams when she is in class...u shld try to understand root problem...like if she thinks of playing and chocolates etc. U shld tell u will leave her to play half an hour early or buy her chocolates if she does her work on time...and also show some example urself ...if we dont do certain things in time wat problems we face...i hope she will surely understand this fast becos she is smart as u mentioned above so try to understand her more...and make her realise these things...all will become right.

Answer 10

I wouldn't worry about it so much at that age. A wandering mind at 6 years is not such a bad thing. However, maybe if she buddies up with someone with a longer attention span it will help her to concentrate more.