ADHD makes it difficult for children to pay attention and sit still in school. Distractions are often too much to ignore. If children can’t focus and sit still in school they are at a significant disadvantage. ADHD is a leading obstacle for learning in schools.
CDC States ADHD is on the Increase
The Center for Disease Control suggests that greater awareness and stepped-up screening efforts explain the increase in ADHD statistics. [1] However, many believe that the excessive use of electronic toys contributes to the increase in ADHD. Attention spans are decreasing with too much technology. Children that spend excessive time playing on their computers, game boys, or other electronic games, are more likely to have attention problems in school. When this is added to food dyes and sugars, students find it difficult to focus even more.
Television and Video Games Blamed for Attention Problems
An Iowa State University study in Ames, Iowa found a correlation between times spent watching television and playing video games and the ability to focus in school and outside of school.
Researcher Edward Swing, a graduate student at Iowa State University, led the study including 1,300 third, fourth, and fifth graders and 210 college students. Teachers participating in the study were noting when students had problems staying on task, were paying attention, and were interrupting peers while working. The study concluded that is students watched television or played video games for more than two hours a day, they risk having “twice” the rate of attention issues.
David Elkind Links Technology and Attention Problems
David Elkind, author of several books about children being pushed too quickly toward maturity, is professor emeritus of child development at Tufts University. He agrees that there is probably a correlation between the times spent watching television and attention problems. “There may well be a relation between television viewing and attention problems. But, teacher ratings of attention deficit have been shown in other studies not to be consistent over time. It makes a difference what kind of show or computer games the child is playing.” [2]
Teachers Challenged in Classrooms with Attention Problems
Teachers are challenged daily to raise scores and to keep students focused. Administrators are focusing on teacher accountability but teachers are focusing on keeping children engaged so they can teach. Students no long sit ready to learn. The challenge for teachers is to keep students interested in what is being taught through white boards, partner discussions, think & write, and think & discuss methods. Students no longer sit on the edge of their seats waiting for knowledge. The challenge is tremendously difficult for classroom teachers when the brain has actually changed.
[1] “Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. Kids Have ADHD, Study Finds.” The Wall Street Journal, November 10, 2010.
[2] Doheny, Kathleen. “Too Much Screen Time Can Threaten Attention Span.” Yahoo News, July 5, 2010.
Barbara Pytel - Email me Experience Although I was never particularly fond of going to school as an ELL student, I ironically became a teacher, ...
