Advanced attention
Watch a spinning pen for 10 seconds without looking away. What did you notice?
Tracking / Visual Focus – following moving objects helps attention. Alternative: watch a toy or finger movement.
Stand up and touch your toes slowly or do another stretch. Notice your body.
Mindful Stretching – combining movement and attention improves focus. Alternative: reach arms slowly instead.
Ill show you five small objects on my desk for 5 seconds then ill cover them can you tell me what objects were there
Recognition memory - noticing and recalling items without worrying about order trains your brain to recognize details quickly
You're building something but you keep making mistakes. How can you stay focused when you are frustrated?
Challenging hard thoughts "ill never get this right -> I will keep trying" take breaks, remove distractions, set a timer then take a break
Rip a piece of paper while counting to 10 aloud or bounce a small object while counting
Hand-eye coordination / focus practice
I’ll clap this rhythm: clap, clap, pause, clap. Repeat it.
Sequencing Practice – remembering patterns trains attention and working memory. Alternative: use tapping or foot stomping.
Walk slowly across the room, paying attention to each step.
Mindful Walking – noticing steps keeps your mind present. Alternative: walk outside or on a line on the floor.
Im going to tell you 3 short things 1. the girls name is Maya 2. She has a blue backpack 3. she lost her lunchbox. imagine this in your mind
This is called making a mental snapshot - picturing one frozen image with things you have to remember strengthens recall because your brain remembers pictures more easily than facts - u can do this with things you have to bring home from school
You are finishing a puzzle but the TV is on, how do you keep your mind on the puzzle?
Task prioritization and providing yourself with rewards to delay gratification - go somewhere else or turn tv off finish puzzle then reward yourself with tv time
stand still for 30 seconds notice your breathing your feet on the floor and any sounds around you
mindful awareness - paying attention to your body and environment helps you notice distractions and calm your mind
I’ll give this list of words: apple, dog, car. Name them backward.
Working Memory Challenge – holding information and reversing it strengthens focus. Alternative: try letters or numbers instead.
Pretend you’re holding a cup of water. Move carefully without spilling while staying quiet. Alternative: balance a small toy on your hand.
Slow Movement Focus – coordinating mind and body improves concentration.
Ill say six words: tree, plant, ball, toy, hat, scarf
group them together to remember them better
Categorical memory - organizing items into groups helps memory
You need to clean your room, what are ways to do this while keeping motivation and getting it done
1. break it into small tasks (put away socks, then shirts, then pick up toys, then vacuum)
2. break it into chunks (10 minutes then a break)
3. write a list down of what you need to do check it off as you go
4. provide yourself with reward for when you finish
Clap a small rhythm and then try to repeat it backwards
working memory and sequencing - remembering and reversing sequences trains memory and focus at the same time
Count silently to 20 while I make small noises. How do you stay counting?
Sustained Attention Practice – staying on task despite distractions improves focus. Alternative: whisper counts or write them down.
Stand on one foot and notice your breathing.
Balance and Focus Exercise – attention plus balance strengthens focus. Alternative: use both feet if hard.
Ill tell you a short sequence of body movements repeat them in order clap stomp touch your head
Kinaesthetic memory: remembering actions strengthen memory through movement
Youre learning a new skill but its hard and you feel frustrated how do you stay focused?
Keep trying in small steps and notice progress without giving up
Close your eyes visualize your favourite place then describe it aloud
visualization and focused attention - creating mental images improves concentration and memory by practicing sustained focus
Imagine completing a puzzle in 5 minutes. How do you stay focused?
Focused Task Practice – uninterrupted attention strengthens focus. Alternative: take small breaks if mind wanders, or divide the puzzle into sections.
Imagine walking through a small obstacle course in your mind, step by step.
Mental Rehearsal / Visualization with Movement – imagining actions while focusing trains attention and planning.
I will show you three pictures of animals can you tell me a story combining all three?
Story linking - connecting items into a story helps recall
Youre doing quiet work time but a friend keeps distracting you in class, what can you do?
Tell friend politely that you need to focus, time or task chunk, utilize a fidget, do a grounding technique to bring yourself back to present moment
Pick an object near you - spend 1 minute noticing every detail about it - its colour texture shape smell how it makes you feel then explain it in as much detail as you can
Focused observation - concentrating on a single object trains sustained attention and strengthens the brains ability to notice details