Why Can't Children Pay Attention During Online Learning?

I've heard many complaints about young children who aren't able to stay attentive during online classes.

Are you finding this to be the case?

 

Of course you are! Why? Because children were never meant to spend hours paying attention to a screen!

Yes, I know what you're thinking: but my kid can pay attention to a screen for hours when it's a video game!

Well, yes, there are hours of planning, creating, coding, and designing going into the constant stimulation of a video game. That's not realistic in an online classroom setting.

Plus, we know that's not in their best interest. (See this blog post: Avoiding TOO MUCH screen time!)

But paying attention to a teacher all day while sitting at the computer? Wow, that's a totally different story!

Here are a few reasons why it's hard for them:

 

 

Emotional Needs

Most teachers are familiar with the expression, "Maslow Before Blooms!" Maslow is known for his Hierachy of Needs. Besides those very basic needs of food, warmth, and rest, are the emotional needs of security and safety. Along with those are a need to feel important, included, and respected.

As much as teachers and parents are trying, with our crazy world these days, these needs are not always being met. Social distancing makes it all so much tougher!

 

Limited Attention Spans!

Research tells us that a child's attention span is roughly the child's age, plus or minus 5 minutes. That means the maximum attention span for a Kindergartener is ten minutes, tops! This maxes out at 20 minutes for teenagers and beyond. Yes, I'm sure your mind starts to drift after about 20 minutes, doesn't it?

 Distractions!

Sitting at a computer and paying attention to a lesson is even harder when there are a plethora of distractions about, including: a friend in the same Zoom, a sibling getting attention in the same room, the TV in the background, a pet, knowing the toys are right nearby, and the child's own thought process!

In school, a teacher simply could walk past a student's desk to bring them back into focus, but that can't happen online!

 

 

What can we do about it?

Yes, learning online is a whole lot harder than learning in class, but all is not lost. I certainly don't have all the answers, but here are some ideas:

 

 Develop Relationships

It's tougher to get to know children online than it is in class, but it's possible! I find morning meetings are a great way to get to know your students and build community. Just be careful: when sharing, don't make the little ones wait too long for their own turn. Remember those attention spans! (Don't forget to review rules of listening, including looking at the speaker and sitting still. Plus, review the rules of speaking, including speaking clearly and keeping it short!)

 

Some ideas for building relationships: Team Building, Ice Breakers, and Get to Know You Activities

 

 Respect Their Developmental Needs

 

Children need to move! Please don't expect them to sit still for long periods. There are plenty of brain breaks that can be done online. (Go Noodle, for one!) Plus, there are plenty of learning games that can be done online or in a socially distant classroom.

 

Incorporate the Arts!

If you've ever read my blog before, you'll know that I'm a huge supporter of the arts, and try to include these in my teaching in every way possible. (Yes, I have a master's degree in Creative Arts in Learning!) It's a great idea to include drawing or creating in many lessons, as these internalize learning, but don't forget the other arts! Art is considered any expression of emotion, and people express their emotions in different ways. 

 

All of these are considered arts: 

Examples of the Arts

This is just a partial list of my personal definition of the arts. I think you'll agree, both parenting and teaching are arts, aren't they? Seriously, any way that people have to express themselves creatively counts!  I'm sure you have things you are passionate about that you could add to this list!

 

Some related posts: 

• Dramatics in the Classroom
• Seven Strategies to Help Children Remember Spelling Words 
• Ten Tips to Help Learning Stick 
• Ten Key Points About the Brain 
• Twelve Strategies to Get from Working Memory to Long Term Memory 
• How Can I Keep My Active Students Learning? 
• Ten Classroom Management Tips With the Brain in Mind
  

Please remember!

This is a very challenging time in our world. I'm not sure all administrators would agree with me, but academics are not our priority right now. Our children are experiencing several levels of trauma. We need to be there for them. Academics will come later. Yes, I promise you, they'll all catch up!

 

 

Let's Start Rowing in the Same Direction

I don't know what your teaching situation is right now, but I know a whole lot of people are struggling to find the best thing for the children's education. A teacher in Long Island, NY was quoted by saying this: 

If you want to read more of that quote, see HERE: 

I saw this shared on Twitter from @TeacherGoals

I guess,  no matter how much experience you have in the classroom, no matter how hard you work, no matter how many tricks you have up your sleeves, this year is going to be quite a challenge! 

Here are a few thoughts I have about the  upcoming school year: 

 

It's not going to be perfect for anyone!

I know, after such a difficult spring semester, the kids need to go back to school. Online learning is difficult for kids. "Zoom fatigue" sets in. It's hard for them to pay attention. Parents need to go back to work. Children need socialization. 

Yes, these are all true, but the "back to school" we are seeing with Social Distance restrictions is a far cry from what school has been. Teachers won't be able to teach one on one or small groups. Children won't be able to work with partners or small groups. Children won't be able to get out of their seats at all.

Teaching remotely has been VERY challenging for teachers. I've heard it compared to "flying the jet while building the jet." That sounds pretty accurate to me!

Yet, remember the #1 rule of life that I hear over and over: Safety First! Yes, there is a very contagious disease out there. Yes, children are known carriers. Yes, many people are at risk because of underlying medical conditions. Yes, many teachers are afraid to go back to school because they're afraid of getting very sick and/ or dying.

 

They WILL fall behind... in some ways. 

Between last spring, when teachers were suddenly expected to "reinvent the wheel" in a weekend, and this fall, with lots of practice and professional development training, lot of improvements have been made to the world of remote teaching. Between remote learning, in class learning, or even a combination of the two, education won't be the same as it was in its "pre-covid" state.

Students have lost some momentum in their academic development. And yes, no matter what we do, more slowing of development will happen. It can't be helped.

 

We can help them make gains in other ways. 

Teachers will try to keep the students moving forward academically. You can count on that. That's the nature of teachers. 

But we also need to keep them moving forward in other ways. Whether they are in school or working remotely, there will be gaps. They won't be getting the social development that students normally get in school, talking to their peers every day. Creative teachers can use a variety of ways to get children to talk about their social needs, their feelings, and their fears. I hope morning meetings are a part of everyone's day, as this is the place for team building and building social relationships. 

And take the time to work on some of these life skills.

 

As you know most of these skills can be developed through Morning Meeting.In class or through remote learning.

 A positive attitude is essential!

 No matter how tough it gets, no matter how challenging it is to keep up with all the technology, no matter how negative people are around us, no matter how scared we are, that positive attitude will get us through. Hold your head high, and give it your all for the kids. After all, it's all about them!

 

 It WILL Get better.

Yes, it's going to be tough, but it's not forever. I don't know when, but we'll have classrooms full of children, and they'll be able to talk and laugh and get out of their seats. They'll go to lunch, and Phys. Ed. and Music class. It will be OK!