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Connections
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| Posted: July 20 2011 at 1:18pm | IP Logged
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How do you pull off short lessons? Do you set a timer? Sometimes I feel like a lesson should be short if my child would give his full attention but it seems to go on too long. I just haven't figured out the best way to remedy this- especially when I am distracted by my fabulous, wonderful, toddler, or by another child working on lessons.
Tips for full requiring full attention are most welcome (and needed).
Thanks,
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: July 20 2011 at 1:43pm | IP Logged
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I know what you mean about the lesson being more likely to stay short if you had your child's full attention. Interesting, CM's recommendation for short lessons is based on that idea. If the child knows that the lesson is going to be short, he'll be able to focus for a short period of time, fully absorb what the lesson is about, and then be free to move on. No boring yawning falling asleep lecture.
Do you think it would help if you told your child directly that you want to show him something or talk about something for just a short time and then you'll be able to do something else? One of my dc always assumes that whenever I start with a lesson I intend to drone on for a couple of hours.  Understandably, this meets with resistance. BUT if I say I have only 3 brief points to make, I get the attention. Now, this is a teen I'm talking about, so if your child is younger, you might present only one point, or even part of one point. For example, if your lesson is about robins, just talk about their color one day, their size another day, etc.
How old is your child? What have you tried so far?
Peace,
Nancy
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ekbell
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I use a timer for dawdling children. "If you pay attention/work well for this long then you're finished subject x (or chore y)for the day." I've found that my children generally haven't needed the timer for lessons for very long (although they still need the reassurance of a set period of time for some chores)
BTW timers that can be paused are useful when dealing with major interruptions, serious inattention or bathroom breaks. I even have an iPod app that allows for multiple, pauseable timers if necessary.
An egg timer where you can see the time pass also helps with older toddlers and preschoolers (waiting is easier when you can see the end). This w
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ekbell
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I use a timer for dawdling children. "If you pay attention/work well for this long then you're finished subject x (or chore y)for the day." I've found that my children generally haven't needed the timer for lessons for very long (although they still need the reassurance of a set period of time for some chores)
BTW timers that can be paused are useful when dealing with major interruptions, serious inattention or bathroom breaks. I even have an iPod app that allows for multiple, pauseable timers if necessary.
An egg timer where you can see the time pass also helps with older toddlers and preschoolers (waiting is easier when you can see the end). This enables rules about interrupting (if mommy says that she's busy with so-and-so you need to wait until she's finished or the timer goes off)
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Mackfam
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I use a timer as well, or list the time expectations for the short lesson clearly on my lesson plans (for older students). I time a short lesson with the expectation of best effort...if that gets me two words of copywork, I'm fine with that!!! As long as it is the child's best effort. The shorter the attention span, the shorter the lesson...and we stretch from there. The goal is to end the lesson or work BEFORE the attention dwindles.
My favorite timer.  I reviewed it here.
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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 20 2011 at 3:52pm | IP Logged
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Connections wrote:
| I just haven't figured out the best way to remedy this- especially when I am distracted by my fabulous, wonderful, toddler, or by another child working on lessons. |
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Ugh. I have one of those toddlers that have gazillions of questions at EXACTLY the moment you sit down to work with another child! 
There are a few things you can do:
** Employ another child to work with the toddler while you work with a child one-on-one.
** Judicious use of videos (Leap Frog is a favorite here) at particular times when other students need focused attention.
** Save special educational activities, games, puzzles to do only at certain times so that they are fresh and engaging and (hopefully) give you 10 minutes to work with another child.
** Headphones and Wee-Sing!!
** Save timed short lessons which you'll need to really be present for (copywork, dictation if you have olders) for naptimes or quiet times.
** If your toddler is on the young side - wear them for a little while!! Unfortunately, you can't do that with an older toddler, but raise your hand if you've considered something involving duck tape and a little wooden chair!! My hand is raised!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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ShannonJ
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| Posted: July 23 2011 at 10:07am | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
| If your toddler is on the young side - wear them for a little while!! Unfortunately, you can't do that with an older toddler, but raise your hand if you've considered something involving duck tape and a little wooden chair!! My hand is raised! |
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At least I'm not the only one!
For preschoolers and up you might consider a "Busy Mommy Basket". Set up a folder or two of fun or interesting items. I like file folder games, puppets, puzzles, and solo strategy games. On the basket, or area where you choose to set this up, place a clip such as this. You can find a variety of these at the dollar store. When the child needs help with a something, but you are busy with another child, have them place the clip on your sleeve. This way you can finish what you were doing with the other child AND you don't forget that your guidance has been requested.
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 23 2011 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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ShannonJ wrote:
| For preschoolers and up you might consider a "Busy Mommy Basket". Set up a folder or two of fun or interesting items. I like file folder games, puppets, puzzles, and solo strategy games. On the basket, or area where you choose to set this up, place a clip such as this. You can find a variety of these at the dollar store. When the child needs help with a something, but you are busy with another child, have them place the clip on your sleeve. This way you can finish what you were doing with the other child AND you don't forget that your guidance has been requested. |
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This is a fantastic idea, Shannon!!! I'm so glad you shared your strategy! I've had something that sounds like a Busy Mommy Basket, but haven't refreshed it in a LONG time! Thanks for the reminder!
The clip is a really neat idea, and I'm going to do some thinking on it! I teach my older children that if they need me for something, and I'm talking with someone else, that they should put their hand gently on my shoulder. Then they stand patiently and quietly behind me until I can turn and give them my attention. I will know through their cue that they need my attention, and they understand that they can't interrupt. This is great when I'm having conversations with other Mommys. A local friend of mine shared this with me, and I love how it works! The combination of this and your clip idea makes me think that I should do some training with my toddler!!
So glad you shared your ideas and reminded me of my need to follow up on a few things, Shannon!!!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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herdingkittens
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Tracey, what about switching subjects? I find that when my child starts something, weither it be an independent subject or something we are doing 1on1, and I see the "glaze over" look (or one of defeat), I just stop and we switch to another subject (hopefully one that on the opposite end of the spectrum - i.e. from grammar to math, or math to violin practice, etc.). I'll say something like, "hey, would you like to put this away and come back to it later?" The answer is usually a relieved "YES!" and when we come back to it, they are ready for it. Honestly, I have never had this not work for my children.
Also, I play around with which subjects we start first in the morning (after our prayers and group stuff). I think they enjoy having things be a little different. Keeps things fresh.
Sorry if I am way off target. Oh, and we do not use timers, but I think C. Mason knew that 20 minutes is when children naturally "drop off" anyways...
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ShannonJ
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herdingkittens wrote:
Tracey, what about switching subjects? I find that when my child starts something, weither it be an independent subject or something we are doing 1on1, and I see the "glaze over" look (or one of defeat), I just stop and we switch to another subject (hopefully one that on the opposite end of the spectrum - i.e. from grammar to math, or math to violin practice, etc.). I'll say something like, "hey, would you like to put this away and come back to it later?" The answer is usually a relieved "YES!" and when we come back to it, they are ready for it. Honestly, I have never had this not work for my children.
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I find this to be so true ! AND completely against my personality. This was a huge area of growth for me to allow myself to see that it was okay to let go if things were not going well for that day (or week, or month)! Taking a break can do wonders!
herdingkittens wrote:
| Also, I play around with which subjects we start first in the morning (after our prayers and group stuff). I think they enjoy having things be a little different. Keeps things fresh. |
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That is a wonderful way to keep each day a bit different. I actually have found that a fairly set routine works the best for my dd, who trends on the add side . After a short couple of minutes for a family read in the morning, we start straight to seat work and get all math and writing done straight away. If we don't do this it can become unbearable, if not altogether impossible! Doing it straight away leaves the rest of the day where she can easily wiggle while she works and not be distracted!
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Short Lessons
