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How to Get Kids to Pay Attention

By Touchpoint Media, 05/05/16, 11:15AM CDT

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At the end of a long season (and school year) any hockey parent will tell you that it gets even tougher to get young hockey players to pay attention and stay focused on whatever task is at hand.

For months, our kids’ attention has been on sticks, skates, homework and tests. Now that summer’s in sight, it’s our job as parents to offer the right mix of structure, free time and support – which will go a long way to helping them relax, recharge and have fun.

“Recovery time is very important for sustainability of motivation in sport for the long run,” said Dr. Justin Anderson, a sports psychologist with the University of Minnesota and owner of Edina-based Premier Sports Psychology, PLLC. “I work with a number of professional athletes and they all scatter as soon as the season ends. They’ll take several weeks to rest physically and mentally – they want that down time to keep their motivation high.

“They actually get through that time and want to come back,” he continued. “Nothing is more important to growth and performance than intrinsic motivation. Otherwise, burnout is likely to happen.”

Kids Are Different

Although that strong mental approach is key for success in professional athletes, kids just don’t have the same capacity to absorb so much information and intensity, said Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, director of Mankato’s Center of Sport and Performance Psychology and associate professor in sport and performance psychology at Minnesota State University.

“Remember, your children are kids,” she said. ”Studies show that a normal child’s attention span is 3 to 5 minutes per year of their age. That means the average 8-year-old should be able to concentrate on a task for around a half hour (give or take a few minutes).

“So, as parents, we need to support our children having fun,” Kamphoff continued. “It might be easier to treat them like mini-adults, but they are not – they’re still learning, growing, and their brains are continuing to develop.”

So What Can We Do?

Anderson said that 8- to 12-year-olds don't tend to focus on consequences or outcomes, rather what’s right in front of them.

“There’s a lot that we, as parents and professionals, can do to help 8- to 12-year-olds learn more about training their minds to pay attention to the things they want and things that are constructive to their well-being,” he said. “When they do, they’ll often be healthier and more successful.”

That’s difficult for a parent to remember – especially if the summertime blues have your kids bouncing around aimlessly from task to task, or worse, the dreaded “There’s nothing to dooo!

Make Time for Downtime

So, experts agree that it’s essential to make time for downtime, too. That way, our kids have a chance to re-energize and they’ll be ready for school – and hockey season – again.

“Off the ice, there are ways you can help improve focus, such as puzzles, card games, concentration grids,” Kamphoff said. “But remember, it can be exhausting for kids to go from activity to activity.

“Let them veg out and relax,” she continued. “One of the best ways is to support your child’s intrinsic motivation is to help them have fun. Be patient, and kindly direct your child’s attention back to the task at hand, whether it’s practice, homework, or anything else.”

Using the ADM to Our Advantage

One way we as parents and coaches can maximize our kids’ attention spans is by simply embracing the principles of the American Development Model. Small-area games and station-based practices are designed to keep kids active and engaged throughout entire practice sessions.

No lines, no laps, no lectures – that’s what will keep sport fun.

At the end of the day, hockey’s fun, and a sport that truly builds skills and relationships that its youngest players will carry with them for life.

“It's a small probability that any kid will be the next NHL great.” he said, “However, giving them the skills and tools to become self-motivated and resilient is a great way to help your kids become more successful in the long run – not just in hockey, but in any area of their lives.”

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At the end of a long season (and school year) any hockey parent will tell you that it gets even tougher to get young hockey players to pay attention and stay focused on whatever task is at hand.

For months, our kids’ attention has been on sticks, skates, homework and tests. Now that summer’s in sight, it’s our job as parents to offer the right mix of structure, free time and support – which will go a long way to helping them relax, recharge and have fun.

“Recovery time is very important for sustainability of motivation in sport for the long run,” said Dr. Justin Anderson, a sports psychologist with the University of Minnesota and owner of Edina-based Premier Sports Psychology, PLLC. “I work with a number of professional athletes and they all scatter as soon as the season ends. They’ll take several weeks to rest physically and mentally – they want that down time to keep their motivation high.

“They actually get through that time and want to come back,” he continued. “Nothing is more important to growth and performance than intrinsic motivation. Otherwise, burnout is likely to happen.”

Kids Are Different

Although that strong mental approach is key for success in professional athletes, kids just don’t have the same capacity to absorb so much information and intensity, said Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, director of Mankato’s Center of Sport and Performance Psychology and associate professor in sport and performance psychology at Minnesota State University.

“Remember, your children are kids,” she said. ”Studies show that a normal child’s attention span is 3 to 5 minutes per year of their age. That means the average 8-year-old should be able to concentrate on a task for around a half hour (give or take a few minutes).

“So, as parents, we need to support our children having fun,” Kamphoff continued. “It might be easier to treat them like mini-adults, but they are not – they’re still learning, growing, and their brains are continuing to develop.”

So What Can We Do?

Anderson said that 8- to 12-year-olds don't tend to focus on consequences or outcomes, rather what’s right in front of them.

“There’s a lot that we, as parents and professionals, can do to help 8- to 12-year-olds learn more about training their minds to pay attention to the things they want and things that are constructive to their well-being,” he said. “When they do, they’ll often be healthier and more successful.”

That’s difficult for a parent to remember – especially if the summertime blues have your kids bouncing around aimlessly from task to task, or worse, the dreaded “There’s nothing to dooo!

Make Time for Downtime

So, experts agree that it’s essential to make time for downtime, too. That way, our kids have a chance to re-energize and they’ll be ready for school – and hockey season – again.

“Off the ice, there are ways you can help improve focus, such as puzzles, card games, concentration grids,” Kamphoff said. “But remember, it can be exhausting for kids to go from activity to activity.

“Let them veg out and relax,” she continued. “One of the best ways is to support your child’s intrinsic motivation is to help them have fun. Be patient, and kindly direct your child’s attention back to the task at hand, whether it’s practice, homework, or anything else.”

Using the ADM to Our Advantage

One way we as parents and coaches can maximize our kids’ attention spans is by simply embracing the principles of the American Development Model. Small-area games and station-based practices are designed to keep kids active and engaged throughout entire practice sessions.

No lines, no laps, no lectures – that’s what will keep sport fun.

At the end of the day, hockey’s fun, and a sport that truly builds skills and relationships that its youngest players will carry with them for life.

“It's a small probability that any kid will be the next NHL great.” he said, “However, giving them the skills and tools to become self-motivated and resilient is a great way to help your kids become more successful in the long run – not just in hockey, but in any area of their lives.”

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