As adults we seldom welcome interruptions and one doesn’t choose to interrupt someone in the middle of a busy task unless they can help it. In the adult world there is untold form of communication, you wait your turn, you wait till the person has finished whatever he or she had to do. But do we extend that same courtesy to our children. Though as parents we are always in a state of constant interruptedness, actually as I write this article I have had to stop to find someone’s shoes, court marshal a couple of warring siblings and help another with her choice of wardrobes, five years can be extremely picky. Thus my initial good mood at finally being able to crack the blank page is slowly disintegrating into chaos, my thoughts are a mess and my good humor has vanished to the point that whoever next yodels for my help shall severely be punished, whatever the problem is!

Therefore it goes without saying that no one likes to be interrupted. But we never give a second thought as to how our baby feels whilst they are busy staring at their pop up book or tinkering with their little Tomy truck or even staring adoringly at the label of one of their toys (Every baby I have met, has some fascination for the label that sticks out on the edge of any stuffed toy), we march on in and instantaneously take them away, breaking their level of concentration. Of course, we ask  seriously what were they really doing, staring at their little automated truck going round and round is not really anything to interrupt, but we are crucially breaking that moment when they are learning to concentrate, when they are learning to hold a single train of thought and give it their full attention.

Then in later years we hold our hands up in despair when our children won’t settle down to do one task set before. This is because that fostering of concentration, the ability to concentrate should be nurtured from a young age. Here are some ways to strive to encourage concentration in children from a young age:

1. Minimal entertainment and stimulation: Of course it goes without saying that putting a child in front of the T.V is not going to build their concentration. Infact the constant changes in picture on the T.V causes the child to lapse into a state of absorption minus active use of their mind. As parents also we feel that babies and toddlers might be easily bored and we strive harder to make their days entertaining. But infact according to the experts, it is infact the parents who are bored and children are never instinctively tired of their surrounding. All that is around them, including themselves are new to them and they are quite happy just being.

2. A safe and cosy place: It is always best to provide a separate, safe place for the baby to play. A place where they are not interrupting to you or getting into the general affairs of the house. In this place the baby can explore without parental interruptions and without the constant “NO” ringing in their ears.

3. No need for complicated toys: As toddlers, they are inquisitive about everything, from a piece of cloth to any shiny things-a-ma jeebs. A cardboard box offers them inopportune ideas to have fun. So it is safe to say that one does not have to rush out and break the bank by buying every screeching, colorful toy out there. Infact these toys are a bit frowned on, since they offer the child minimal room to think on their own, like the T.V everything is infront of them, all they have to do is to push a button. This does not help to stimulate the mind that is thirsty for knowledge at this young age.

4. Observe and never interrupt: Allow your child to spend time in their safe place, playpen, crib etc uninterrupted. Observe rather than offer a form of entertainment. If they are engrossed in whatever has grabbed their attention, let them wallow in it wholeheartedly.

5. Don’t encourage distraction: Experts also recommend that babies not be discouraged from the task at hand. For example, when changing a diaper we are all guilty of distracting them so we can get the job done less messier and quicker. But experts encourage that we involve the baby in these minimal tasks. In this way we are ascertaining at an earlier age for babies and later children to be involved in their activities.

Making an effort to keep your children focused from an earlier age will help later in life when your children are in school. In the first year of a baby’s life they are constantly learning and if we curtail and direct this learning in the fashion that we desire, my job later in life will be much easier. Therefore next-time when your baby is nose deep in their fluffy bedtime book, thick twice before you interrupt them!!!

By Mayuri Jayasinghe