1St Grader Has Trouble Focusing in Class/need Advice

My son was also artistic, a 'daydreamer' and had trouble focusing. 3 consecutive teachers mentioned ADD at parent/teacher conferences. He was evaluated & diagnosed with anxiety~no ADD. This was in 3rd grade!
I believe some children are just more sensitive and are challenged by an inability to ignore all the activity that goes on in a classroom and even outside the windows.
Some of the things we did to help support him:

enlist the teachers support by asking that he be seated among the more quiet focused students

allow him to prop up a folder on his desk as a barrier to outside stimuli

offer him opportunities to take responsibilities that allow him more physical movement like collecting or passing out papers

schedule regular physical activity or get him involved in a sports program

My son's school performance so improved when he joined the track team that he made the honor role.

You already know what means the most to him; SPORTS. Take all forms of them away until you hear from the teacher that's he's behaving. No t.v. sports, book sports, playing sports, etc. Be tough now mom and dad so you don't have problems later.

You mentioned that his teacher says he can focus when he is interested in something. Well, in my opinion she should be doing something to help him get interested in all subjects. It is important that he feels motivated to listen- does she have a good reward system in place? He may need a little extra motivation in the classroom. Children learn in all different ways and most boys aren't programed to just sit and absorb information. Good Luck.

You have described my son 100%. He's in the gifted program in school. Tested in the standardized tests and is in the top 1% of the district for math and reading. He has these challenges to keep up with the program, but he also has "Inattentive ADD" Google it---it sounds that your son may have the same issues.

Our society needs to remove these notions that children are still ok, and still perfect, even with little imperfections. My son is very bright, but has a little problem with inattentiveness. Talk to the school psychologist and his teacher---get reports on his progress and take it to the Dr..

I recommend you read a few books. They gave me some insight to what's going on with my kid.
Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your Add Child and Driven to Distraction.

Here's another resource: http://www.adda-sr.org/reading/Articles/mooreinattentive.htm

I went through the same thing but I had the principal, teacher and my son's speech therapist pretty much gang up on me trying to convince me my son had ADD or ADHD. Ironically all of their children had either ADD or ADHD and were on prescribed medications. What they are simply trying to do is make robots out of all of our children to make their lives easier. Too bad. Children's are God's precious gift to us adn are only temporary as are all things. Each and every child is different and is going to behave differently. Moreover, boys and girls learn differently and act differently. It is a proven fact. Girls will sit still and behave and learn how the teachers want but boys don't typically. They have more energy, want to discover, climb things, knock down blocks, etc. Girls and Boys think with opposite sides of their brains so it stands to reason that they will learn and behave differently in classrooms. The sooner schools, teachers, educators, etc get on board with this and figure out a way to incorporate these differences, both mentally, physically, intellectually, socially, etc, the better it will be for both them and us. Perhaps talk to the teach to let you son run an errand which might take all of 5 minutes and help get some energy out of him so that he can settle down again. Read the book by Michael Gurian, Boys and Girls learn differently. It is very illuminating. Also, if they are bored they will lose focus and perhaps blurt out things to bring attention to themselves. I don't know what else to say. Good luck.

Hi A.,
I had a first grader just like yours. First thing I did was get his hearing tested. When that was ok, I started working with his teacher to see what could/should be done. We discovered that he seemed to find first grade work too easy for him. So, she gave him extra "work" to do after assignments were done correctly. To keep him quiet while the others worked, she also encouraged him to draw pictures related to what he just finished. Some of the pictures were pretty elaborate. As a result, he has become a pretty good artist - enough so that he got some scholarship money for it! He also did something similar with the class reading books. They were too easy for him so his way to compensate, he took ones with lots of pictures and few words. When I asked him about this, he said that he liked to make up his own stories to go with the pictures. Looking back, I think he should have been moved up a grade as during the later years of school, he had difficulty learning how to study as he didn't have to before that time. Oh well, I hope this helps you.

I wish I had better advice for you, because my two sons, ages 8 and 10 have gone from mild boredom to acting out. They have been seeing a therapist, and the younger one has been put in a day treatment program and been given meds. The best I can tell you is that there may be a combination of factors, some environmental and some psychological. With the supportive and creative mother that he has, do not back down in seeking firm, confident support for his creative energy. Look at his diet first, and keep giving him projects he likes, while explaining why focusing on the task he is supposed to be doing is part of good creative control. Keep punishments very small and age appropriate. Probe a little to see if anything is bugging him, and keep directing him, because your example will matter most. I am not going to recommend any outdated books, but I would seek out books by very educated professional over trendy ones.

Sorry, I didn't read all the advice but I skimmed them and didn't see this idea. One thing you can do it tape a simple little thing (bright colored circle, smiley face etc) to the top of his desk. The intent is to remind him when he sees it to focus. It is hard for a little child to remember all day, especially if he is bored. This little reminder may help him during the day when you are not there to say "are you focused?"

One thing, change it monthly or he will tend to overlook it after if becomes part of the scenery. Simply change the color or something to make it stand out in his head.

Hello, I am also a birth instructor too and Doula in the process!!! Anyway, I would always keep the positives up and make them sincere. Try not to harp on the past on what he has done negatively. Talk with him and see why it is happening. See it from his level. Maybe he needs to sit in the front of the class away from peers who may "egg" the behavior on. At home he can have a "good deed" chart (I know it sounds superficial, but they do work), in which all the good deeds he does in his classes that are reported by his teacher earn him a point towards a weekend reward. With holding things until that happens can work during the week such as tv, video games, hanging out with friends. He has to learn early that this behavior will not be tolerated as this could start to impact his school work and then there is another spiraling problem. Please let me know if you have more questions as I am also an Early Childhood Educator.

it sounds like he has a learning disability. My son tested negative with ADD/ADHD but still struggled. It was heart breaking because you could tell he wanted to learn. It crushed his self esteem etc... after awhile we finally had him evaluated for OT and they found that despite his 20/20 vision he had binoccular vision and occular vision. We are now almost done with vision thereapy. Think of a pair of binocculars- thats how he would see and he couldnt copy off a board etc... people do not understand its not wont or lazyness its he can not do it. with this we see a vioson therapist who has been so awesome at helping me understand dyslexia. we also paid for our own neuropysch outside of school. it was them who adv are son has tourettes. I beleive many people are misdiagnosed with add/adhd and treated when there are so many more things going on and if my son did test positive for add/adhd we would have never found out about his dyslexia and tourettes and helped him with therapy. good luck!

I love the last part. I have a 7 year old son and you could have just as well been describing him. Some kids just have a harder time than others, this is his first year of all day school and 6-7 year olds just go through an adjustment period. try not to get upset and maybe try using rewards at the end of the week i. i.e. movie night his choice, mcdonalds, the park, his favorite dinner you get the point. this has helped my son some. we do 4 good days inside fun thing and 5 good days a fun outing. If he doesn't get any then we just try harder next week. good luck.

Schools are geared towards teaching girls. Sit quietly and learn...for six hours! Boys need the outlet, they need time to let go of their built up energy. Two 15 minute recesses & 25 minute gym class isn't enough time each day. Be sure to let him and his brother/friends have the time to be active, very active.
My boys are 6 and I let them go 'crazy' with wresting each other, playing ball, running and anything else they need to do IN OUR HOUSE. Now granted, not everyone has the room to allow this however, if they don't let go of the energy, it will be released in school or at the store or other friends/families homes.
Teach them the difference between fun at home and at time at school with occasional reminders. Reward verbally as much as possible.
My guys are in floor hockey, flag football and gymnastics only during the week. The weekend is family time. They have plenty of time and place to 'let go'.
Develop a 'good report' chart. My son is happy to get 1 penny for every paper he writes his name neatly. You'd be surprised at how quickly he learned and changed his ways all on his own. Not exactly acting out, but he rushes so much to do school work that it's not neat. And he loves money! Find what your son loves and be sure to tie that into the rewards no matter how small!
Good luck!

Kirk Martin/Celebrate calm

I went to a free workshop last month and learned alot. He will be back in the Chicago area in Dec I think. They are on his website. He does have CD's that cost money, but if you can at least make it to a free workshop it may help you a little. He stays as long as it takes and answers alot of questions. I went thinking I was going to maybe get information on my four year old but instead learned alot about my seven year old. There are some tools that can be used to help satisfy sensory, without disruption to others that will give him what he needs to be able to concentrate.

If your son is reading already, I tend to doubt you have a case of ADD or ADHD. More likely, you have a very bright, bored child. He can focus, if he's motivated. So what your teachers need to do is challenge him. If they can't, I'd try to find another school, or change him to another class... My oldest daughter was bored to tears from 1st-3rd grade, because she spent 2 years in a Montesouri(sp?) Kindergarten program for daycare. She was reading chapter books when she started public school in 1st grade. I was able to get her into a gifted program in 3rd grade, and that kept her motivated almost all the way through 6th grade. By then, I had to pull her out of school and homeschool her. Good luck!

A.,
It sounds like he's a bright kid who's bored in his class. If he's not listening, but doing well in school, then he is listening, but the level of work might not require his whole attention in order for him to get it. I would discuss with the teacher how he might need more challenge and see how she can accommodate him. Do they have small groups for reading or math, so that kids at the same level can get instruction at their level? At this school, do they do walking reading or walking math, where students can join a higher or lower grade to get the instruction that matches their skill level? Both of these strategies (grouping and going to another grade for certain subjects) could be helpful and might be in use at the school. If the teacher can not accommodate, then I'd ask if you can accommodate, by allowing him to bring a book of interest to school that he can read when he's done with work.
At home, I do think that it's important to support and reinforce his being respectful to the teacher and following classroom rules. But you don't want to get in a situation where you make school a negative thing, when the root of it could be that the school is not meeting his needs.
As for ADD/ADHD, if there is a focus problem, it usually pertains across the board, vs. in certain circumstances.
Finally, if this continues to be a problem and the teacher and principal don't seem to want to partner with you to solve it, then you might consider another school. CPS has many schools that do differentiation well and also has gifted and classical schools for kids who need instruction 2 grade levels above. It takes research, b/c each school is different, but a change in school might be a viable option in the end if it seems like the whole thing is creating negative feelings about school and learning.

SMB
Mom of 6-y.o. and 4-y.o.

Hi A.,
Maybe your son is bored and therefore tunes out because the work is too easy for him. If I already knew the material or found something so easy, I'd tune out, too. Wouldn't you?

Does the teacher seem boring.... does she present material in a fun and stimulating way? Is she meeting his needs by challenging him with higher level thinking questions? Does she engage him and others who are above grade level with activity extensions?

This is just my hunch, but from what you described about your son, and the fact that I am a former primary teacher, I feel I might be right about his issues with staying focused since you said ADD/ADHD has been ruled out. I know it could be other things causing him to be unfocused... just my guess.

Good luck,
J.

My oldest was like this in kindergarten (reading chapter books independently). I even sat in on his class and it made no difference. The school tried to label him ADD/ ADHD, but was unsuccessful. I wasn't buying it anyway (I was a practicing OT for many yrs). I pulled him out of that school and put him in private school. He excelled there as well, but still would not close his mouth and tried to be the class clown. His teacher and I worked closely together. His grades were all excellent. When I decided to home school him, his teacher supported me 100%. She said that although she gives him work above grade level it was difficult to give him the attention he wanted. Other children needed help with basic grade level work. After they tested him, his teacher said that home school would be perfect. His scores were in the 7th grade level for reading, post high school for word concepts and in the 5th and 6th grade level for the rest of the subjects (he was in 2nd grade). It sounds like your son is bored and isn't being challenged.

A.,
that is tough because academically he is doing okay. my first thought is that he may be bored. do you think that he knows a lot of the things they are teaching? if that is the case then i would talk to the teaher about things he can do to keep from getting into trouble all teachers want to cutomize their teaching to meet all the different needs of the learners in their classroom. if that is not the i would continue to use incentives to help him pay better attention and be sure to set up a system with the teacher to give you a daily notification of how his attention was that day so that you can accurately praise him and folow through on your incentives. good luck.

Does he do anything reptitively? Like maybe tapping over and over while he works.

My brother's son jumped in front of the tv for hours while he watched Disney movies when he was young. Then he started tapping his feet while he worked. He had trouble focusing unless it was something he found very interesting like media of some kind or hands on. He sometimes had big meltdowns over things we would think were silly. He didn't like to show affection even to his mother and often had trouble keeping or even making eye contact.

He didn't listen well in class but he always heard what was going on.

He is extremely smart. He can quote the oddest figures and statistics. He can read at a high level and do math like a champ. But he doesn't learn like the other kids and has trouble sitting still when he's bored.

Turns out he is considered a highly functional child with autism. Asperger's I think it is called.

Don't know if any of that applies to your son, but just in case.

Reading this reminds me 100% of my oldest son, who will be truning 6 in a few months. He is very similar - very smart academically ("at the top of the heap" the teacher said at conferences) but has such a hard time with paying attention unless it's something he's particuarly fascinated with. He constantly talks out of turn and just don't listen to any of the adults at school. He's not big into the sports stuff like your son, but similarly has a huge interest in trains and anything science-related.
We have also been told his is not an ADHD issue, although my son does have a Sensory Integration disorder - which we thought might have been the problem. The teacher and occupational therapist, along with other school staff, are all fairly sure that the sensory has nothing to do with it.

So I am left to question, just as you are, how can my child be so incredibly smart and yet have such a hard time listening to simple instructions?

Above all don't lose hope- keep talking to him and encouraging him every morning, even if you don't feel like its working...one day it may just click!

Sounds like me when I was in elementary school. My parents got reports that I would just talk away and waste time while we were supposed to be working. Turns out I wasn't challenged enough. I knew I could get the work done very quickly, so I spent time gabbing (and getting in trouble for it). I too was above the class reading level and could totally focus when it was something that piqued my interest. I ended up entering the Gifted Program here in Rockford in 4th grade. It was the best thing for me. I was with other kids who learned at an accelerated rate and the teachers understood that and kept us occupied with new things. I would seriously look into the Gifted Program or at least talk with the teacher about extra work for your son to keep him occupied. I really do think it sounds like he learns at an accelerated rate and given the opportunity, he could excel in that program. Good luck!

The class may me moving too slow for him. If he is very smart and more advanced than his age, you may want to think about putting him into an accelerated program or talk to the teachers to see what else can be done. He probably has a high IQ and is just bored with items that are challenging to the others, but come easily to him. Ask him if he thinks the class is helping him learn or if it is too easy. I was the same way as a child and actually started school a year early and was also in the advanced classes. This helped keep me interested. I think your problem is your son is very gifted and smart! That's a good problem to have! :) Good luck!

A.-

Depending on the servarity of the problem. Check into Montessori schools. I don't know where you live, but it is always an option. Some kids just learn different.
Good luck

Same issues with mine now in 3rd grade. 1st grade teacher was a nun and dealt with him in her own way. 2nd grade teacher stressed great concern to have him tested for ADD. 3rd grade teacher not so much but did see problems like your son has. What am I doing? I am looking at my son thinking he's a boy. That is what some boys do. As long has he is not failing academically I don't worry so much. I will not put my son on ADD meds. I haven't gotten him tested and don't plan to. I think he will grow out of it. We'll see. That's my way of dealing with the same problem you have. I remind him to listen to the teacher and pay attension.

As a teacher, my suggestion would be to start with the simplest explanation first. Could it be that his eyes need to be checked? Sometimes when kids can't see the chalkboard, book, calendar, etc., they will act out in this way. It might *not* be this, but it's good to start ruling out any and all of the possible reasons for his current behavior. Good luck!

your son is bored his level of learning is higher than that of his peers. see if his teacher is willing to have him help teach other kids who need help in his class this job may help keep him focused because he would be in charge of helping one of his peers learn something they need to learn. my daughters teacher tried this with her and it has been working since kindergarten. when she was in pre-k she already knew how to write her name knew her abcs and basicly knew everything she should be learning in pre-k so sometimes she would become disruptive. so when i went to see what was going on i noticed she was bored so we began talking and she said why should i go there i know this already. i'm in school to become a teacher of children who are bright so i understand the challenges they are up aginst. i myself am abright person i was in all ap classes 4-12 and i am on the deans list currently at my school i have been offered a chance to bid on going PHI THETA KAPA but am reluctant because i feel i would neglect her studies. i always try to make homework our #1 priorty then she has friends who come over to study with her and shes only in third grade if u need any more ideas let me know

Your child might have visual or auditory sensory challenges - JUST a wild guess, based on my kid, who has both and sounds a lot like yours (has a photographic memory; reads well above reading level; great sense of humor). My boy also has mild ADHD, but the sensory issues are what challenges his attention span at school. If he is interested in something and the environment is right (library, art rather than music class, gym class - where there are multiple sounds and movements), he can focus for HOURS.

Ask your pediatrician for assessment help. Also look into what your school offers - especially if you are in a public school, they are required by law to provide services that your child might need. Just don't let them force you into a category that you aren't confident your child fits. Ask the teacher to provide daily incentives - a tally sheet that she checks after every "good job" done during the day (earning as many as 5 tally marks a day!). "Good job" could simply be for writing something from the board, remembering to raise his hand, etc. This could help motivate him to focus, even if he has minor sensory challenges. Good luck!

Other than too much stimulation from kids close to him, he may just be bored and this is the only way he knows how to deal with it. Especially since you say he is doing great academically. I would see if the teacher can maybe pay a little closer attn to the times he acts out. Is there any specific time of day or specific subject they are going over? For my one daughter we found that she has to sit closer to the teacher. We had her tested and she came out as not ADD or ADHD. It is finding the best way to teach her. I am also looking for a counselor for her because she will argue with us to no end.

My first grader is also like this and was in a Montessori Kindergarten last year that kept him busy and challenged and now in regular Elementary school, he's bored, not as focused.

He sounds bright and possibly gifted (from the little that you mentioned) and needs more challenging work. I agree with Montessori - we're pulling our child out and putting him back in...

He could very well be board but if that is not the case A lot of doctors and counselors may try to label him with ADHD or ADD or one of the many other labels put on many children that really don't need to be there.
Before I get e-mails from moms telling me I do not know what I am talking about or if you only knew my child you would not say that.
Let me say that many nutritionists and well as holistic doctors are saying that many of the children diagnosed with attention disorders really do not need to be on medication they just need to change there diet. And it is not so much the sugars in our diets but the wheat flours, pastas, dairy products and other foods that a child may be allergic to. There have been many studies showing a big connection between unhealthy diets and attention problems. Yes, there is cases were children need medication but before giving the pills you may want to try an alternative.
There is a great doctor in McHenry
Dr. Hult
306 N Front St
Mchenry, IL 60050
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He is able to check anyone for allergies. he is a chiropractor with a degree allergies as well.