Leveraging Neuroscience to Boost Attention BY DR. REBECCA JACKSON
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HEN YOUR CHILD STRUGGLES to focus or stay on task, you may find yourself uttering, “Come on, try harder. You can do this.” While those words are well-meaning, they can do more harm than good. Struggles with attention are usually not from a lack of effort. This child often has to work harder throughout the day to accomplish the same tasks others can do easily. And with this knowledge that they are trying, yet still falling short of expectations set by parents and teachers, can come with feelings of self-doubt and shame.
To counteract the frustrations attention challenges can create, implementing strategies to optimize and improve attention can help reduce stress and build confidence.
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CREATE A ROUTINE THAT SIGNALS THE BRAIN THAT IT’S TIME TO FOCUS. Start by creating a dedicated space for kids to do their work that minimizes visual and noise distractions. Pick a space that is not far from where you are but is quiet and calm. Next, engage the sense of smell to engage the brain and support memory. Diffusing
essential oils during homework time will not only be pleasant, but a recent study out of the University of California at Irvine saw a significant increase in cognition by leveraging the power of the connection between olfaction (smelling) and memory. Finally, begin homework time with ten minutes of vigorous exercise. While it may sound counterintuitive to have your kids move before sitting quietly, you’ll quickly notice the benefits of this routine. Studies have shown that in as little as 10 minutes, individuals who engage in physical activity score higher on cognition tests, including attention and memory.
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YOU STRENGTHEN WHAT YOU PRACTICE. Sustained attention is the ability to block out distractions and maintain focus for an extended period. This aspect is needed to sit through a math class, a work meeting, or to write an article. This differs from the type of attention used to play video games or scrolling social media. When it comes to muscles and the brain, you strengthen what you use. It’s important to find balance in the types of attention kids use each day. People often gravitate to tasks that do not require sustained attention, such as playing video games or scrolling social media (these tasks utilize short bursts of attention that differ from sustained attention). Ensuring kids practice
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O R E G O N F A M I LY M A G A Z I N E
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WINTER 2024
