Tips for Working with a Child Who Is Easily Distracted

Friends, Family and Home

• Ask that family members not label him as having attention problems.
• Make sure that family members are patient with her.
• Keep mealtime and other family routines short.
• Change a baby's position and location often.

Learning, Childcare and School

• Have him complete a small part of a project, do something else, and then come back to finish.
• Reward her with breaks or other treats when she finishes each part.
• Provide him with shorter books and books with bright illustrations.
• Remind childcare providers that some babies may need extra time and breaks to finish a bottle.

Activities and Television

• Play games and encourage her in activities away from TV and in a quieter room to lessen distractions.
• Provide him with games and activities that build on his favorite way of doing things, such as using sounds, movement, or looking at things.
• Limit television, as that could decrease her ability to pay attention to other things.

Guidance and Discipline

• Compliment what he does rather than complaining about what he doesn't do.
• Give her instructions one step at a time, such as "Put the blocks in this box," rather than "Clean your room."
• Provide alternatives (quiet books and small toys) to keep him busy during situations where he will have to sit for long periods, such as religious services or appointments.