Sunday Post: Focused Attention…Does Your Child Get Yours?

Posted on January 26, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is FOCUSED ATTENTION.

Photo by Sven Zarek for National Geographic

Birds do it!

Photo by Malou of the Netherlands

Bees do it!

Even precious little kids do it!

Have you ever watched young children coloring a picture? Head close to the page, crayon gripped in their fingers, tongue clenched between their lips…they are focusing every fiber of their attention on what they are doing.

Observe your children next time they are learning a new task or playing ball or dancing…you will see how their entire body is involved.

Do you give your children YOUR focused attention when you are reading a story with them or participating in some activity or just listening to them tell you about something that happened at school?

So often, parents are busy and listen with ‘half an ear’.

All dressed up in her Easter finery…Carrie at age 3.

I remember, years ago, when our daughter was about 6 years-old. She had come home from school and her father, who was sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper, asked her how her day had gone. Carrie began telling him what she had done in school. After a minute or so, she stopped. “Daddy” she complained. “Listen to me!” “I am listening to you” replied her father. “No, Daddy!” our pig-tailed poppet responded as she pulled the newspaper away from him. “You have to look me in the eye when I talk to you!”

Five Tips for Great Parent-Child Interaction

1. Give your child your focused attention

2. Maintain a positive up-beat attitude

3. Choose an activity that is age-appropriate for your child

4. Communication is a two-way street…TALK AND LISTEN

5. Have FUN!

If you need a book that will give you and your young children many positive, age-appropriate quick and easy activities, please buy a copy of my award-winning parent-teacher resource, Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.

And, if you didn’t see the video of Ray Bethell, grand world-champion multiple kite-flyer, you MUST watch this: http://youtu.be/E69flRylQRo His performance is a perfect example of FOCUSED ATTENTION.

You will be entertained for five minutes…and inspired for the rest of your life!

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

SUNDAY POST : Focused attention (jakesprinters.wordpress.com)
Focused attention (artifactsandfictions.wordpress.com)

28 thoughts on “Sunday Post: Focused Attention…Does Your Child Get Yours?”

Playamart - Zeebra Designs on January 26, 2013 at 9:09 pm said:

hey!
thanks for the pingback! trek to town!

‘look me in the eye!’ children can say the funniest things, and oftentimes are quite wise for their years!

thanks for the pingback!

lisa/z

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 2:53 pm said:
  
  You have a great blog, Lisa…I’m always happy to link back to you.:)
  Thanks for stopping by…yes, I think kids are inherently honest…it’s only with ‘education’ from parents, life, etc. that they learn to evade, lie, etc.:)
  
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patientdreamer on January 26, 2013 at 9:23 pm said:

So cute what your daughter said to her Daddy, so cute!

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 2:56 pm said:
  
  She was always the most assertive (in a good way, not the aggressive way) of our kids…I love being with her because she is also loving, generous and nuturing…great combination.:) Maybe it’s a good starting point for a picture book story, Diane.:) I’ll have to think about it.
  
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Marylin Warner on January 26, 2013 at 9:51 pm said:

The perfect picture of focus was the fishing…so intense and intent and wonderful!

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 2:58 pm said:
  
  That’s my granddaughter…quite a focused young lady…she’s been ice-skating for several years and has won competitions in her age group…who knows, maybe the Olympics one day.:) You are right, Marylin…and you can see the focus in every part of her body.:)
  
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Perfecting Motherhood on January 26, 2013 at 11:22 pm said:

Haha, what a cute story! My kids say the same thing when I’m in the kitchen doing something and they come over to talk. If I’m not looking at them, I’m not listening. Apparently we can only listen correctly with our ears and our eyes. Kids really get it.

I just finished my post for this theme in my photo blog, going out tomorrow morning. That was a fun theme.

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 3:02 pm said:
  
  You know what is amazing, Milka? That you and I have connected on several different ‘platforms’…Nancy’s Spirit Lights the Way (witty and thoughtful and writerly look at life), Susanna Leonard Hill (children’s books and writing), Jake’s Sunday Post (photographic look at life)…and probably more. The internet is like a spiderweb…interwoven. And you are right…kids do get it.:)
  
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  - Perfecting Motherhood on January 27, 2013 at 4:22 pm said:
    
    They don’t call it the web for nothing! It really works like one.
    
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    - viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 4:56 pm said:
      
      🙂
      
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cyclingrandma on January 26, 2013 at 11:47 pm said:

Good post. I think I’ve ranted already about focus and parents/caregivers who are constantly on their phones or plugged into headsets– ignoring toddlers and children.

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 4:02 pm said:
  
  And we have to keep on saying it, Lisa.:) I know that parents are overwhelmed at times and so very busy…but one of the saddest things to me is seeing a mom pushing her 2 or 3-year-old in a shopping cart at the grocery store…iPad taped to the handlebar so the little one can watch a video or cartoon or whatever and mom is talking on a cell phone and placing the items in the cart…such an unnecessary disconnect during an activity that could be fun and educational and help create a life-long parent-child bond. I truly appreciate your thoughts, Lisa!
  
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Susanna Leonard Hill on January 27, 2013 at 4:36 am said:

So true, Vivian, that kids need our undivided attention. So often we are busy, trying to get things done and listen at the same time, and it’s so important to make them feel that they matter, and that we care about what they have to say, and to spend time with them doing what THEY want to do, because so often they do things they must do – go to school, get dragged along to the grocery store, etc…

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  Hahaha…yes, Susanna…see my response to Lisa’s comment…all about the disconnect that takes place at grocery stores. Grocery shopping used to be a favorite activity with my kids…like a lesson in science (food groups, where each food comes from), shapes and colors, literacy (reading the signs), math (weighing the fruits, buying multiples of something…how much would it cost)…oh my goodness…such fun! Now many parents barely speak to their children while shopping (too busy on the phone) except to yell and scold.:(
  
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Tracy Campbell on January 27, 2013 at 4:18 pm said:

You’re so plugged in. Lovely photos!

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 4:56 pm said:
  
  That is sweet, Tracy! So are you (plugged in to what is important and to the beauties of life and people).:)
  
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  - Tracy Campbell on January 27, 2013 at 5:01 pm said:
    
    Ah, you’re so sweet! 🙂
    
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jakesprinter on January 27, 2013 at 6:17 pm said:

Stunning images Vivian I really love your Focus shots here,
Thanks for sharing my friend 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 10:31 pm said:
  
  If you are happy with them, Jake…so am I.:) Have a beautiful week!
  
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Patricia Tilton on January 27, 2013 at 8:21 pm said:

Precious pictures Vivian to go with your theme. Love your Sunday posts.

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- viviankirkfield on January 27, 2013 at 10:32 pm said:
  
  I appreciate your kind words, Pat! Have a lovely week.:)
  
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thiskidreviewsbooks on January 28, 2013 at 6:49 am said:

I really like your message. My parents 95% of the time pay attention to me. 🙂 I think they try a lot with my sister and me.

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- viviankirkfield on January 28, 2013 at 12:43 pm said:
  
  I’m glad to hear that, Erik! I think it’s important for kids to be able to play and work independently…but, when they have something to say, parents need to listen.:)
  
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