Are you looking for strategies to help students who have trouble working in the presence of distractions? If so, keep reading.
1. Praise the student for functioning properly in the presence of distractions in the classroom: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
2. Converse with the student to explain (a) what they are doing wrong (e.g., failing to attend, getting out of seat, fighting with a peer, talking, etc.) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., keeping self-control in the presence of distractions in the classroom).
3. Get the student to question any directions, explanations, instructions they do not understand.
4. Praise those students in the classroom who function properly in the presence of distractions in the classroom.
5. Praise the student for functioning properly in the presence of distractions in the classroom based on the duration of time the student can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.
6. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., keeping self-control in the presence of distractions in the classroom) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.
7. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Complete assignments quietly. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.
8. Connect with parents to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for functioning properly in the presence of distractions in the classroom.
9. Select a peer to model functioning properly in the presence of distractions in the classroom for the student.
10. Assess the distractions in the classroom to ascertain the level of stimuli the student can respond to appropriately.
11. Minimize distractions to a level at which the student can successfully function. As the student shows that they can successfully tolerate the increased levels, slowly let distractions increase.
12. Place the student so that they experience the least amount of distractions possible.
13. Give the student a quiet space in which to work, where distractions are reduced. This is used to lessen distracting stimuli, not as a form of punishment.
14. Consider using assistive technology designed to help students to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to concentrate. Click here to view list of assistive technology apps that we recommend.
14 Ways to Help Learners Ignore Distractions While Working
Are you looking for ways to help students ignore distractions while working? If so, keep reading.
1. Place the student away from those peers in the classroom who create the most distractions.
2. Make the student be productive in the presence of distractions for short periods. As they become successful, slowly increase the duration of time the student is required to be productive.
3. Make sure that all distractions in the classroom are reduced as much as possible for all students.
4. Give the student the chance to move to a quiet space in the classroom any time distractions interfere with their capacity and ability to function successfully.
5. Get the student to practice a new skill or task alone or with an aide, the teacher, or a peer before the entire group attempts the learning experience or before performing for a grade.
6. Take the student away from a learning experience in the classroom if they are unable to function properly in the presence of the distractions involved in the learning experience.
7. Teach the student appropriate ways to respond to distractions in the classroom (e.g., moving to another part of the room, asking others to be quiet, leaving the group, etc.).
8. Give the student shorter tasks that do not require expanded attention to be successful. As the student shows they can be successful in the presence of distractions, slowly increase the length of the tasks.
9. Get the student to take part in small-group learning activities (e.g., free time, math, reading, etc.) to lessen the level of distractions in the group. As the student can function successfully in the presence of distractions, slowly increase the size of the group.
10. Embody appropriate behavior in the presence of distractions in the classroom (e.g., continuing to work, asking for quiet, moving to a quieter part of the classroom, etc.).
11. Let the student close the door or windows to lessen distractions from outside the classroom.
12. Give the student earphones to wear if oral stimuli interfere with their capacity and ability to function. As the student can function more successfully in the presence of oral stimuli, slowly lessen the use of the earphones.
13. Give the student a carrel or divider at their desk to lessen distractions.
14. Consider using assistive technology designed to help students to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to concentrate. Click here to view list of assistive technology apps that we recommend.
