What Should I Know If I Have Been Told That My Child Is Distracted?

When someone says that our children are distracted, have trouble staying still, and easily interrupt classes and conversations, resulting in low academic performance, the first thing we feel is doubt—about how to address the situation and why these behaviors persist. Being parents brings many challenges, and in the midst of them, it is normal not to know whether what we observe in our children is part of their age or behaviors that require professional attention and support. The idea is to understand what is happening, not to become alarmed, and to have strategies that may work as a first step in accompanying the child.

In some cases, behavior changes depending on the place or the person the child is with. If it only happens in certain specific settings, we may need to modify parenting guidelines regarding how rules are established at home and the structure of our children’s routines. It is important to be attentive to changes in behavior, as this will guide you in reviewing strategies to use, such as communication, being specific with instructions, supervising how they are carried out, and highlighting the completion of a task as an achievement before giving a new instruction.

However, if when observing the child you notice difficulties concentrating on the execution of any activity, following instructions, or if they constantly fail to finish what is asked of them, frequently lose objects, are restless, show disproportionate behaviors, get bored easily, and do things very quickly without considering the result, it is recommended to be accompanied by professionals who can provide specific tools to work with your child.

In addition, establishing structured activities with short breaks can help your child more easily regain concentration on the task. It is also useful to reduce distractions and promote activities related to recognizing emotions, such as frustration or irritability, which will allow you to better understand the impulsive behaviors the child may display.

And most importantly: spending time with them and strengthening the emotional bond is essential to understanding their needs.

Finally, constant communication with the educational institution makes it easier for teachers to continue the routines established at home and, at the same time, allows you to learn about the strategies they use that are effective in the classroom.