Focus

Focus is one of the critical skills children need to thrive now and in their future.  Focus is the ability to pay attention, remember rules, think flexibly, and exercise self control. In today's distracting world, the ability to focus is not only important, but also quite challenging.  "Researchers talk about young children being “alert” and about “orienting” (being able to focus on achieving what they want to achieve) -- think of a fourteen-month-old trying to get Cheerios onto a spoon in order to feed herself or himself). For older children and adults, focus includes those two aspects, plus being able to concentrate." (Mind in the Making)

As I watched Nathaniel during freeplay, his ability to focus was clear.  He approached the table, oriented himself by finding the materials he needed, a scrap of paper and a thin marker, and began to write the letter R.  The busy classroom swirled with action all around  him, yet Nathaniel continued to pay attention to the task at hand, working to achieve his goal.  He made a series of Rs, and then paused, seemingly to consider his work.  Opportunities to engaged in such self directed projects at school are helping our children to learn to  focus and preparing them for success.