KEYS TO SUCCESS

Parents can find a myriad of websites available today to find information on success in school. We all know, parents and teachers alike, that probably the number one key to success in school is actually being at school. Not only does that mean being in attendance but also being "present" while in attendance. In other words, students must be focused on the information being learned. How many times have we, as adults, listened to a speaker, perhaps even in church or in a company meeting, where we sat through the entire presentation but when it concluded, WE DID NOT HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS SAID? I have to admit that I have done that, and I am sure you have too. I wasn't listening to what was being said. I was thinking about how much laundry I had to do at home or what I needed to pick up at the grocery store on the way home.

I think the single most important thing that we can teach our students is to stay focused on the job at hand. A friend of mine told me recently that he liked to call it, "Wherever you are, BE THERE!" If you are spending time with your kids, then be there with them. Focus on them and don't be thinking about something else. If you are writing email at work, then stay focused only on that. If you are talking to a friend who is telling you about her troubles, then be there with her. Don't allow other things to enter your mind.

If you have fallen out of the habit of focusing your attention on the task at hand, then getting back into that habit will take some work. Just know that everyone in your life will profit from the effort that you put into this activity. Work on this habit, then teach it to your kids.

I have heard many students say, "I did not know we were having a test today." Even though, that test had been announced every day for the past week and it was written on the board three days ago. So what happened. Did they forget?? Not likely. Instead, when we were going over the test, their minds were somewhere else.

So how do we focus our minds? Research has found several things that may help. People who are active are more focused than their sedentary peers. We should all make sure that we perform some type of physical activity every day. Walking for only 15 minutes can really enhance a person's ability to focus. Practice with your child at home. It will probably be just as difficult for you at first as it will be for him or her. Spend 10 minutes listening to your child discuss his or her day. Ask questions about what they did or learned. Afterwards, repeat what you think you heard. You may be surprised at how well, or how little, you listened. Junk food is not a cardinal sin in my book, but it may be affecting how your student is learning at school and focusing on his or her work. Even though we think caffeine is an energizer, it actually may make matters worse in the long run. Its effects are short-lived. If consumed in large quantities, people can overdose on caffeine. The result is a harder time focusing your thoughts. Make sure your entire family eats foods and drinks items that are good for them. Make sure students get enough sleep. One reason for the daydreaming may be that the student is tired from lack of sleep. Turn the TV off at least one hour prior to bedtime. This will enable your student to fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer. TV right before bed has adverse effects on many children.

Remember, not all things work for all people. The key to being able to focus your attention is to try several things and see what works for you. If you try one thing and it has no effect on your attention, then go on to something else. Do some research yourself on how to focus your attention. Much information is available for your consideration.