help with student

[lwag14]

I teach kindergarten in a private school. This year I have a boy that can't focus on doing his work at all. He doesn't play all that much, he just sits there and doesn't do it. It will take him a half hour just to get his name on the paper and that's with me and my assistant constantly reminding him. This is a highly academic school and even in kindergarten there will be 3-6 pages of work to do a day. I do think he might have a learning disability, something that has to do with cognition or metacognition, but it's just the second week of school and I want to try and work with him. Has anyone ever dealt with a child that was this severely inattentive? Or know of any thing that might help him focus on his work more.

[Paigelady]

Hello Iwag14-
I have taught for many years in that same type of academically driven enviroment with Kindergarteners. He may have a learning disability, but not to jump too quickly on that. How is his hearing? Does he respond to loud noises? Does he have trouble seeing the board? When reminding him to focus, he may need direct contact when reminding, not just auditory direction. That may also be a reason why he is not interacting with the children. You should try to rule out all the basic 5 senses review. Be sure all of his 5 senses are in good working order. Then find a way to connect with him. Be consistant....it may take a while & communicate your concern with the parents. See if they admit he acts similar at home. Let them know what you will do in class with him so everyone can work with him & it is not ALL on you. There is no quick fix & each case will be unique every time. That is what makes US so important in children & families lives.

[mkcornflower]

If you end up ruling out the 5 senses..you might check home life too. Maybe he is stressed about something or, theres always the possibility that he is just bored.
Just a few thoughts that went through my head when I read your post.

[lwag14]

Thanks for your input. The parents are aware of my concerns and claim he does the exact same thing at home, somehow they still expect him to succeed in a highly academic school though. I'm thinking about starting a check sheet with him to get him through some of the simpler procedures like where to put his homework, writing his name on a paper, or making sure everything is off his desk.

[Paigelady]

Iwag14-
Great start with the check list. Also, maybe subtle rewards would encourage him to move forward faster as opposed to moving at his own pace. Again, really try to "connect" with him, find his interests & apply them to the way you approach him when you want him to get things done quicker. He will be the one in your class this year you will grow to love by the end of the year. He will show what your teaching talent really is come June. Those are the children who make GREAT teachers. Don't give up on him.

[mkcornflower]

I agree with paige. My only concern would be, if you reward him for those things...what will the other kids do? They might either expect to get rewarded for every little simple thing, or they might take it out on him...teacher's pet, etc. Maybe it's not that way in your school, but it was in all of my schools growing up(and I, too, went to a private school :( ). But, if you can do it without it causing a problem with your other students, that's great! But, he will be the one you fall in love with and you will see such a great improvement over the next few months..you probably won't want to let him go at the end of the year! :) Don't give up!

[Boxcar]

Can you teach him to talk himself through it? Sit down with him after you hand out the worksheets and say "What is the first thing we do when we get our paper?" Then after he puts his name on the paper, ask him "What is the next thing we do?" Hopefully, he will begin to internalize these conversations.

My other question is whether he talks a lot to you when you attempt to engage him. It may be that he is highly imaginative and spends much of the time daydreaming. Perhaps if you provide him with an outlet for this creativity he will be able to get down to business. You might try a picture/writing journal that he can use.

If you think he is just bored by the sheets, can you arange a hands-on activity to go with them. For example, if the children are doing a counting sheet, can you actually set up stations that match the worksheet? You put this many apples on this table, this many coins on that one, and so on. The physical movement from spot to spot might keep him more focused.