Attention and self control
Attention and self control are linked.
- Attention is the ability to keep one task in mind despite distractions. (eg ignore other things in the classroom)
- Self control is the ability to ‘delay gratification’, sticking to a task which will only have benefits long term. (eg ignore the urge to shout, eat cake, walk out)
In both cases the student needs to suppress distractions and focus on the task in hand.
Attention and the brain
Brain development starts as a baby by stimulating the five senses. Simple visual cues trigger networks of brain cells to link and enable recognition to occur. Using structure, repetition and imitation, neural networks are made and established.
Developing Executive Function and Self-Control
The Executive is an area right at the front of the brain which you might call your ‘sensible guide’ as it often knows what should be done while other areas, such as the emotional brain, are dragging you off to poor behaviour. Until recently we believed that the brain was fully developed by age 18, but scanning now shows that areas such as the Executive are not mature till age 25.
- Working memory
- Attention
- Cognitive flexibility
- Reasoning
- Problem solving
- Planning
Behaviour
Poor behaviour can result from poor development of executive function, resulting from underdevelopment of the pre-frontal cortex. (Interestingly, this area of the brain is most susceptible to alcohol with the resulting effect being loss of inhibitions.) Behaviour strategies that work best are those that do not assume that the badly behaved individual is capable of controlling their own behaviour voluntarily. They are strategies which put in place routines and structures, sets of rules, which they student learns to follow.Like any set of skills, some children learn self-control easily from their home environment. Others need more practice.
Attention deficit
ADHD and ADD are both severe versions of the inability to stay on task, keep attention on one thing. Drug treatments such as the use of stimulants, (eg. Ritalin) inprove attention skills by stimulating the areas of the brain which control attention.