A-Z - A for Attention

A – Attention

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it. - Thich Nhat Hanh (Buddhist Monk)

Paying attention to the moment is an intrinsic part of spiritual practice. This is something that adults can really struggle with never mind children. However, we have all seen a child be completely absorbed for ages in a seemingly inane activity. As children get older, there are more demands on their time and their awareness becomes more external until as an adult multi-tasking is seen as an essential ability and they are checking their emails, whilst making dinner and talking to their

partner. This inhibits one's ability to pay attention to one thing or moment at a time.

Advice and activities to practice attention with your child at home

Do one thing at a time – put one toy or activity away before bringing the next one out. Take a moment of quiet between activities to mentally put one away before starting the next.

Don't have the television on in the background whilst your child is playing.

For younger children mind jars or snow globes are great as watching the snow or glitter settle holds attention and quiets the mind.

For older children an activity that they find challenging but not too difficult will hold their attention. If it is too difficult they will become frustrated and attention will stray. A puzzle of some description is good. This could be any kind of puzzle from an ability appropriate jigsaw to word search or crossword.

Instructions to Make a Mind Jar

Take a clean jar and fill ¾ with warm water and ¼ glycerine (available from chemists)

Add a teaspoon of glitter, a teaspoon of salt, food colouring (optional) and two drops of dish soap.

Screw on the lid and shake thoroughly.  Add more glitter or food colouring to your personal taste.  

When you are happy with your jar, glue the lid on.  There is little peaceful about damp glitter all over the carpet.

It should take up to two minutes for the glitter to settle depending on the size of your jar.

 

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