Any ideas on how I can improve...

Lance's ability to attend & focus? At this point I know he understands what I am saying, but for whatever reason he does not listen most of the time.

I'm doing hand over hand, making him complete tasks, etc... Any other ideas? Activities? Supplements? TIA!

ETA: He is 25 months old.

Message edited 1/25/2009 9:29:34 PM.

Re: Any ideas on how I can improve...

I always found that Johnny focused the most at dinnertime and bathtime. He is really engaged with us during those times especially in the bath. Maybe because he is in one concentrated area and relaxed?? I don't quite know. I do know that its hard for ANY 2 year old to focus and engage a lot when they want to play....

I also know that when we were doing sensory work with him (swinging in a blanket, bouncing etc...) he was more engaged when we were done. I guess it calmed him. ALSO.....best thing we did was to buy a tent for the living room. He loves to go in there with books/puzzles and he really is calm and focused. Our OT recommended it months ago and it helped..

Good luck!!! Also remember...as they get older, the attention seems to get better..Johnny is more focused now at 28 months than he ever was (although he has MANY moments of tuning out, lol!)

Re: Any ideas on how I can improve...

If you are playing a fun game with him, and he stops to look at you to continue the game, then that s a GREAT way to teach him to focus - so, in the middle of a chase game, stop - he will look at you to see what's going on, and then chase him again.

Make looking and attending the "key" that he needs to continue a fun interaction - build blocks, than have him look at you briefly before you knock them down (that's a fun one )

Does he like songs? Finger-play songs are a good way to work on attending and joint attention... Also, throwing a ball - rolling it back and forth with you and DH....

Re: Any ideas on how I can improve...

Thanks so much ladies, those are great ideas.

I am really starting to worry about preschool in September. I know we still have 8 months, but I want to do everything I can to get him ready now.

I have to say that he does really well with most things that are play related. He can play a game for 3 hours with me, but when it's something he is not interested in, forget it.

It's the everday simple things that I can't get him to do. For example... "Come in your room for a diaper change, we have to go inside the house now, no more play, toys, bounce, whatever."

I know he understands me because sometimes he does listen, just not often enough. Am I making any sense at all?

I'm going to try the things that you both mentioned with things that he does not like to do. Lets see if that helps his ablility to follow my directions.

Thanks.

Re: Any ideas on how I can improve...

I understand 110% what you are saying! Believe me, lol!! When Johnny wants to do something, he will do it all the way and follow directions. But when he is fixated on playing, forget it...it's hit or miss.

You will be amazed at how they adapt to school...I NEVER EVER thought in a million years that my son would sit and attend to 1/2 hour activities at a time throughout a morning...but he does everything he's asked and they say he's so sweet at school. I've observed him without him knowing I was there and it was incredible how engaged he is with his teachers and all going on. You are going to love having him in school!!

Re: Any ideas on how I can improve...

Good luck!!! Also remember...as they get older, the attention seems to get better..Johnny is more focused now at 28 months than he ever was (although he has MANY moments of tuning out, lol!)



Maureen, that is exactly what he is doing. Tuning me out when it's not fun for him. I know because I can ask him to hand me something 10 times and he wont even acknowledge me. Then he gets mad and throws whatever it is at me, or throws a tantrum.

He does listen better to other people. When he goes to school he's not going to be able to pick and choose what he does.

PS- I'm glad Johnny is doing so well!

Re: Any ideas on how I can improve...

Re: Any ideas on how I can improve...

If I can add, Cailen does the same thing with me, and he is an angel in daycare - I ask them all the time "does he do this" and they can't believe it when I tell them how he can act at home.