How can I improve his attention span?
Jun 07, 2011
MY nephew who is nearly seven years and in Primary One seems to be a very bright boy. However, he has a very short attention span. It takes him long to do his homework and requires constant reminders to finish it.
Ask Mwalimu
Q: MY nephew who is nearly seven years and in Primary One seems to be a very bright boy. However, he has a very short attention span. It takes him long to do his homework and requires constant reminders to finish it. He always complains about class work yet he tends to do well only when promised a reward or after being threatened with caning. How can we handle this?
Carol
A: Carol, it is common for a seven-year-old to be distracted. You only need to understand your nephew’s situation, says Ruth Motoya, a child counselling psychologist. To help him, you need to find out things that motivate this young boy and what he enjoys doing. These could be his favourite subject, hobbies or anything else. Use these to encourage him to do his homework because it will make it more interesting for him. You should also establish a routine for this child to follow when it comes to doing homework. Let him follow this routine strictly so that it can register in his mind. That way, he will follow it easily. Lastly, reward his efforts and avoid threatening him.
Q: I have a 14-year-old daughter in Senior Three who attends a boarding school. Lately, her character and mood have changed. During holidays, I discouraged her from attending a school party. She got so angry and has since stopped communicating with me. How can I let her know that such parties can turn her life upside down? Where can I find a place where students of her age can go and have a good time and socialise without worrying parents?
Samantha Abimanya
A: Joseph Musaalo, a counselling psychologist says you need to understand that at age 14, your daughter is at a critical stage of development. You need to appreciate the characteristics, needs and challenges of a person at this stage. This is when she gets moody, tends to want independence, wants to be treated as an adult and is often influenced by peers. As a mother, you need to listen to her, talk to her in a friendly way and educate her about the dangers of going out under unclear circumstances. Take her for counselling as well.
Q: How can I control the friends and peers my primary school daughter gets at school?
Joshua. N
A: At her age, your daughter knows what she wants in a friend. Therefore, controlling her in this regard is not helpful, says George Sebanenya, the head of department of guidance and counselling at the Young Men’s Christian Association. He adds that many parents err by trying to control their children on what they can or cannot do.
He advises you to talk to your child and inculcate into her an attitude of speaking out her mind. Engage her into dialogue by asking her: “Who is your best friend and How are they going to help?â€
Share with her your ideas about friends and let her tell you her own ideas.
Encourage her to bring her friends at home for you to meet them. This will help her to open up to you and be accountable. You should remember that your daughter will always choose friends. You cannot buy your way in and out of her preferences but you can bribe her feelings through dialogue, positive motivation and sharing.
Compiled by Stephen Ssenkaaba
Q: MY nephew who is nearly seven years and in Primary One seems to be a very bright boy. However, he has a very short attention span. It takes him long to do his homework and requires constant reminders to finish it. He always complains about class work yet he tends to do well only when promised a reward or after being threatened with caning. How can we handle this?
Carol
A: Carol, it is common for a seven-year-old to be distracted. You only need to understand your nephew’s situation, says Ruth Motoya, a child counselling psychologist. To help him, you need to find out things that motivate this young boy and what he enjoys doing. These could be his favourite subject, hobbies or anything else. Use these to encourage him to do his homework because it will make it more interesting for him. You should also establish a routine for this child to follow when it comes to doing homework. Let him follow this routine strictly so that it can register in his mind. That way, he will follow it easily. Lastly, reward his efforts and avoid threatening him.
Q: I have a 14-year-old daughter in Senior Three who attends a boarding school. Lately, her character and mood have changed. During holidays, I discouraged her from attending a school party. She got so angry and has since stopped communicating with me. How can I let her know that such parties can turn her life upside down? Where can I find a place where students of her age can go and have a good time and socialise without worrying parents?
Samantha Abimanya
A: Joseph Musaalo, a counselling psychologist says you need to understand that at age 14, your daughter is at a critical stage of development. You need to appreciate the characteristics, needs and challenges of a person at this stage. This is when she gets moody, tends to want independence, wants to be treated as an adult and is often influenced by peers. As a mother, you need to listen to her, talk to her in a friendly way and educate her about the dangers of going out under unclear circumstances. Take her for counselling as well.
Q: How can I control the friends and peers my primary school daughter gets at school?
Joshua. N
A: At her age, your daughter knows what she wants in a friend. Therefore, controlling her in this regard is not helpful, says George Sebanenya, the head of department of guidance and counselling at the Young Men’s Christian Association. He adds that many parents err by trying to control their children on what they can or cannot do.
He advises you to talk to your child and inculcate into her an attitude of speaking out her mind. Engage her into dialogue by asking her: “Who is your best friend and How are they going to help?â€
Share with her your ideas about friends and let her tell you her own ideas.
Encourage her to bring her friends at home for you to meet them. This will help her to open up to you and be accountable. You should remember that your daughter will always choose friends. You cannot buy your way in and out of her preferences but you can bribe her feelings through dialogue, positive motivation and sharing.
Compiled by Stephen Ssenkaaba