A Quick Guide On Ways to Boost Your Child’s Attention Span
Our Schools
Table of Contents
Introduction
“Are you a busy professional or a full-time homemaker struggling to keep your child focused in a digitally advanced world?”
Then this article is for you!
Children are high-energy beings who enjoy jumping from one task to another. They are naturally curious, constantly seeking new things to discover, learn and experiment with. However, they often feel constrained by the limited time in a day to explore everything they desire. They gradually increase their attention span as they age, although it varies from child to child.
Observing and allowing your children to naturally develop focus and sustained attention is essential. Simultaneously, it is beneficial to establish a suitable environment for them to grow into it. Creating the right space doesn’t necessarily require out-of-the-box techniques. It simply involves channelling the energy you already spend in your daily life towards enhancing your child’s attention span.
Strategies for Succeeding Through Punctuality in Education
Not only children but also parents find themselves at a crossroads navigating a world that has forgotten deep focus. Struggling to find a balance while fulfilling the demands of the modern world makes it challenging for you to serve as strong role models for your children.
Following is a short exercise to help you experience how limited focus has engulfed lives:
Did you begin reading this article
going through each paragraph sequentially,
OR did you
skim,
focusing mainly on bold headings and key points?
If you did that, here are some reasons why:
1. Fast-Paced Lifestyle
Engaging in numerous tasks within a tight timeframe due to the high activity level often poses a challenge for maintaining complete focus on a single task.
2. Multi-Task Culture
As a consequence of a fast-paced lifestyle, frequent switches in focus between various activities and inputs can lead to attention deficit.
3. Short Entertaining Content
Constant overflow of quick bursts of infotainment has accustomed us to follow similar patterns in our daily tasks, even those requiring a longer attention span.
4. Know-it-all Culture
Instant access to information and expertise has contributed to fleeting attention as we rely on quick answers and surface-level knowledge.
All the above-mentioned factors permeate your daily lives, creating a challenging environment for maintaining focus. It is essential not only to recognise the direct influences on your children but also to be mindful of certain indirect aspects affecting them.
Direct influences on your children affecting their attention span:
Brimming with curiosity and innocence, children are eager to explore the world by wholeheartedly immersing themselves in it. It is fascinating to witness their firm intention, enthusiasm and commitment to attaining their goal of achieving the privileges of being a “full-grown adult,” regardless of future consequences, making them solely reliant on adults to guide them.
Yet, here are a few aspects that may have affected children’s ability to develop focus naturally:
1. Easy Access to Gadgets: All the entertainment applications in a gadget is designed solely for high engagement. Therefore, its constant usage encourages fragmented focus among children, leading to frequent distractions.
2. Instant Dopamine Hit: Online games, fun YouTube shorts and Instagram reels offer quick, instant dopamine hit in all of us. Children exposed to this have poor tolerance for longer tasks that don’t provide immediate contentment.
3. Instant Gratification: Playing games is not just graphically attractive and eye-catching, it also provides instant gratification through rewards and achievements. Our young gamers develop a taste for immediate rewards, hampering the patience required for focused tasks.
4. Lack of Creativity in Daily Tasks: If there is an abundance of engaging and fun online content floating around, the attraction for sustained focus/attention would appear monotonous and dull or, in Gen Z terms, “lame”.
5. Rote Learning: Children accustomed to memorisation-focused education or learning may reduce interest and engagement in tasks requiring deep work.
Simple ways to transform your home into a focused atmosphere:
1. More Play Time
Contrary to common belief, the best way to observe children naturally focusing for more extended periods is by letting them fully engage their high energy outdoors. After substantially expending their energy, they naturally settle down and enjoy focusing on what’s in front of them, much like during play-time.
2. Wake-up Music
Various researches on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) recommend music therapy to promote attentiveness and improve focus among children. This is the simplest way to elevate little ones’ focus effortlessly. Play focus music before they wake up, filling their environment with attentive energy. Here are a few songs you can begin with right away: Morning Music, Buddha’s Flute, and Study Focus Music.
3. Redefine Tasks
Always refrain from labelling homework as boring. Instead, embrace a positive approach by redefining tasks children might typically dislike. For instance, instead of presenting studying or homework as a chore, refer to it as a focused, fun exploration period. This method of transforming perspective simply by positive and enthusiastic words encourages engagement and enthusiasm among young ones.
4. Right Nutrition
Prioritising nutritious food is crucial because your diet shapes you. Opting for energising choices like fruits and nuts during the mornings enhances clarity and focus. Including spinach and other greens in their afternoon meal supplies vital daily nutrients. Lastly, a dinner platter with lean protein such as paneer or tofu paired with roasted vegetables and a whole grain roti or quinoa pulav, with fewer spices, is ideal for a peaceful night’s rest.
As you create a focused environment within your home, finding a similar one outside is crucial for your children. This could involve enrolling them in performing arts, visual arts and sports classes such as dance, painting, swimming, or karate, among others. These activities help them channel their energy and build a life of discipline. Selecting a school that genuinely nurtures and amplifies their natural development is of utmost importance.
Creating an enriching learning environment outside your home:
Schools are the best place to enrich a child’s learning experience, an opportunity for them to learn and grow with like-minded ones. It is crucial for you to find schools that discourage outdated learning methods, such as rote learning, and encourage a well-rounded, learner-centric experiential curriculum at par with global standards.
Ekya Schools empathises with parents’ concerns and addresses the need of the hour by seamlessly integrating diverse methods of learning into the curriculum to help our young ones exponentially build sustained focus. The educators at Ekya have taken several initiatives, such as creating a positive classroom, promoting physical movement during class, imparting important life skills, and teaching the right nutrition.
Our technology-rich immersive learning experiences constantly embrace the challenges of the new world to foster – structured routines and consistency, introduce mindfulness and mind-body connection and continuously encourage and challenge inquisitive young minds.
Your children will embark on a reformative journey with Ekya Schools, a pioneering IGCSE, ICSE & CBSE institution nestled in Bengaluru’s heart. Join us across our five vibrant campuses: Ekya Byrathi, Ekya ITPL, Ekya JP Nagar, Ekya NICE Road, and Ekya BTM Layout.
Let’s help our children to find a world beyond the boundaries of the classroom and digital cage!
Explore more
Ekya / April 03, 2024
The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education
In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.
At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.
Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.
Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.
In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
By Sweta Pradeep Rao
Senior English Educator
Ekya School JP Nagar
Ekya / April 02, 2024
Gadget-free Summer Break
With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.
Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others. When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.
I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds) with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.
This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.
Mathangi R,
Head of School,
Ekya NICE Road.
Ekya / April 02, 2024
The Eye of the Storm
In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.
And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.
Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy
Grade 8C
ChatGPT And Beyond: How To Handle AI In Schools
"Some people worry that artificial intelligence will make us feel inferior, but then, anybody in his right mind should have an inferiority complex every time he looks at a flower," says Alan Kay, the most renowned American computer scientist, and some of them consider him the father of the personal computer.
What is AI?
Before dwelling into ChatGPT, in simple terms, let us understand AI or Artificial Intelligence."Artificial Intelligence is the science of making machines think like humans," says Aruna Pattam, an AI and Data Science expert. says Alan Kay, the most renowned American computer scientist, and some of them consider him the father of the personal computer.
AI can process large amounts of data, similar to humans but slightly more efficiently. It reads the data, understands its underlying pattern and structure, and provides relevant and refined outputs.
Unveiling ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a conversational language model. In simple terms, an AI that answers questions or performs text-based tasks. All the results produced by ChatGPT are text-based. Other AI models can create images, audio, and video outputs.
How is ChatGPT different from Google
Google is a search engine, i.e., it continuously collects and updates a vast collection of information from various sources on the internet. This information includes audio, video, images, and text, and it covers a wide range of topics contributed by people from different fields.
ChatGPT's Large Language Model (LLM) is trained on an extensive and diverse dataset, including books, articles and websites. Unlike Google, it does not rely on external internet sources to generate answers.
What Role Does AI Play in Education?
The topic of AI in education has sparked numerous debates, particularly concerning its impact on the population that relies on rote learning and memory-based assessments as the primary means of cultivating creativity and cognitive intelligence. "The traditional education systems centred around these practices are on the verge of becoming obsolete as the demand for progress in dynamic, immediate learning experiences is set to surge significantly."
Ekya Schools has always believed in preparing students for future challenges and equipping them with skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our response to the challenge posed by AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Perplexity, Curipod, and Slides AI.io impacting assessments and learning methods has been to embrace digital transformation in education. This proactive approach benefits both educators and students.
AI for Educators
Our passionate educators and curriculum designers are eternal learners, constantly finding ways to manage time while improving lesson plans, presentation skills, and curriculum by integrating the newest pedagogical approaches and technology in classrooms.
"The role of AI in education is simply as a tool to augment and not replace human skills."
At Ekya Schools, we see AI as a complementary educational aid for both educators and students.
Top AI tools for better classroom teaching:
1. gotFeedback by gotLearning - to generate personalised feedback for students
2. Conker - to quickly create multiple choices, read and respond, and fill-in-the-blank quizzes.
3. ChartGPT - to convert texts into charts and graphs.
4. Expontum - a quick way to identify knowledge gaps and previous research projects.
5. Magicschool.ai - assists in various tasks such as lesson planning, differentiation, assessment creation, composing Individualised Education Programs (IEPs), enhancing communication clarity, and more.
6. ChatGPT - allows the exploration of new teaching methods, provides quick answers, generates resources and ideas to conduct interactive activities and more.
Educators benefit by establishing a creative and profoundly interactive classroom environment through AI-based software. Such sessions undoubtedly enhance student engagement, effectively boosting their ability to apply their skills to real-life challenges.
AI for Students
Significant aspects of students' learning process, such as cognition and comprehension, retention and memory, application and transfer, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and innovation, collaboration and communication, self-regulation and more, are addressed and met in experiential classroom learning.
"Undoubtedly, AI has opened up a new avenue and learning methods for students."
Key learning developments using AI:
1. Personalised Learning Paths - Learning can now be tailored for the success of each student based on the skills, talent and versatility they possess.
Example: ChatGPT, Knewton Alta & Stepwise Math
2. Focused Practice for Improvement - AI will tailor quizzes and other practice exercises for gradual improvement based on a student's learning pace.
Example: Yippity
3. Visual Mapping - Visual learning, the most effective method for understanding and retaining information, is now possible across all subject areas, significantly enhancing children's learning capacities.
Example: SlidesAI.io & Curipod
4. Collaborative Learning - Students can now collaborate with anyone from anywhere in the world, breaking down geographical barriers and fostering a global exchange of ideas and perspectives.
Example: Kailo Edu
5. Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Learning - AI's ability to simplify complex concepts and ideas has allowed students to learn from and understand renowned published work from across the globe.
Example: AskYourPDF, Perplexity
"Text-based AI like ChatGPT has simplified and enriched students' learning process."
Using diverse AI tools has allowed them to re-analyse and restructure their learning pattern, expand and correct their knowledge, and elevate their ideas through beautifully visual and simplified text-based content.
ChatGPT and School Assignments
With the introduction of ChatGPT, simple assignments such as "Write an essay on Pollution" or "Briefly elaborate on the life and works of Shakespeare" no longer pose a challenge for students. To truly encourage the imaginative capacities of those young minds, educators must venture beyond the confines of what ChatGPT can easily and quickly generate.
"ChatGPT allows students to leverage vase databases to improve their learning."
Here's how students can use ChatGPT to optimise their assignments:
1. Factual Accuracy - Students can now be accurate in their assignments and learn beyond what is taught in class.
2. Enhanced Creativity - To get those extra points from the teacher or impress their friends, students can be extra creative in how they draft their essays.
3. Critical Feedback - Once they write an essay, they can upload it to ChatGPT, asking for constructive feedback, which improves their writing strategies, conversation style and tonality over time.
4. Improve Writing - Great writing exercises from ChatGPT allow children to hone their writing skills consistently. Even if children copy lines generated by AI, they unconsciously practise the most formal way of writing.
5. Ask Right Questions - Asking writing questions only improves one's critical thinking ability and problem-solving skills, and it is possible when children provide prompts to ChatGPT to generate answers.
Students can utilise ChatGPT by OpenAI to guide themselves in creating the best and most creative assignments.
Merging Tradition with Technological Progress for Holistic Growth
Amid the march of technology, with generative AI models now at our fingertips, evaluating work and encouraging active student participation is challenging. Nonetheless, the vision and mission of Ekya Schools is to embrace digital evolution by integrating these advancements into the ongoing learning areas while reshaping and reThinking traditional schooling to foster a community of learners, thinkers, doers and changemakers.
A few heartwarming moments of progress in traditional learning that have taken place within and beyond classrooms:
- Design Thinking - to foster critical thinking, insight identification, collaborative ideation, learning from failures and risk-taking.
- Aryaman 2023 - Pushing boundaries for a cause.
- Collaborative Friendship Anthem - celebrating the harmonious melody of friendship with a song from our hearts
- Spell Bee - Young linguists weave a web of words!
Ekya is one of the best schools in Bangalore where children find a world beyond the boundaries of classrooms; 5 campuses spread across Bengaluru - Ekya BTM, Ekya Byrathi, Ekya ITPL, Ekya NICE Road, Ekya JP Nagar. To learn more about our pioneering education and learning philosophy, visit us at www.ekyaschools.com, find your closest campus here or reach us at 080-46809096.
#TeacherBlogger: Cultivating Positive Attitudes and Mindsets for Effective Learning By Ms. Michelle Clarke , Ekya School, Byrathi
As educators, we play a pivotal role in shaping the attitudes and mindsets of our students towards learning. The attitudes and mindsets students develop greatly influence their motivation, resilience, and overall success in the classroom. This blog post will explore the importance of fostering positive attitudes and mindsets for learning and discuss practical strategies to cultivate them in our students.
Emphasise the Power of "Yet":
One of the key mindsets to instil in students is a growth mindset. Encourage students to embrace the phrase "I can't do it yet" instead of "I can't do it." This simple shift in language opens up possibilities and fosters a belief in the ability to learn and improve over time. Help students understand that intelligence and skills are not fixed traits but can be developed through effort, practice, and effective learning strategies.
Promote a Positive Learning Environment:
Create a classroom atmosphere that supports and encourages students' efforts and achievements. Celebrate mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning rather than failures. Encourage peer collaboration, where students can learn from and inspire each other. Provide constructive feedback that focuses on improvement rather than highlighting shortcomings. By fostering a positive learning environment, you help students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and explore new ideas.
Set Realistic and Specific Goals:
Guide students in setting realistic and attainable goals that align with their interests and abilities. Teach them how to break down significant goals into smaller, manageable steps. When students experience the satisfaction of achieving their goals, it reinforces their belief in their abilities and fuels their motivation to continue learning.
Encourage a Love for Learning:
Nurture students' curiosity and intrinsic motivation by creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Connect the curriculum to real-life examples and students' interests. Introduce various teaching methods, including hands-on activities, group discussions, and multimedia resources. Please encourage students to ask questions, explore perspectives, and pursue their inquiries. Making learning enjoyable and relevant can instil a lifelong love for learning.
Teach Resilience and Perseverance:
Learning sometimes takes work, and setbacks are a natural part of the process. Teach students the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. Help them develop problem-solving skills, coping strategies, and a positive attitude towards failure. Please encourage them to view obstacles as growth opportunities and seek support when needed. Students will become more determined, adaptable, and confident learners by cultivating resilience.
Foster a Growth Mindset Towards Feedback:
Help students view feedback as a valuable tool for growth and improvement. Teach them to see feedback as guidance rather than criticism. Please encourage them to reflect on their work, identify areas for improvement, and set goals based on feedback received. By embracing feedback, students become active participants in their learning journey and develop a continuous improvement mindset.
Nurturing positive attitudes and mindsets for learning is a powerful way to support our student's academic and personal growth. By promoting a growth mindset, creating a positive learning environment, setting realistic goals, fostering a love for learning, teaching resilience, and embracing feedback, we can empower our students to become enthusiastic, self-directed learners. As educators, let us inspire and guide our students towards a lifelong journey of curiosity, growth, and success.
By Ms. Michelle Clarke English Educator Ekya School, Byrathi
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