| Children with attention deficit disorder often struggle in | | | | another activity. Gradually try to increase the amount |
| school because of their short attention spans. Many | | | | of time spent reading. |
| quickly decide that they are "dumb" or "stupid" when | | | | Play a Game with Your Child |
| the simple truth is that their condition is causing them to | | | | Another way to improve ADD with educational toys is |
| fail in the traditional school setting, which requires | | | | to play games with your child. Any game that your |
| children to focus on one activity for an extended | | | | child can understand is a great way to improve |
| period of time. If you are a parent of a child with ADD | | | | attention span. Your child will love the play time, as she |
| or ADHD, you can actually use toys to help improve | | | | likely relishes special time with mom and dad. Be sure |
| your child's attention span and, in turn, performance in | | | | the games require some thinking or concentration, |
| school. Here are some ways to use educational toys | | | | rather than just allowing the child to move a piece |
| to improve attention deficit disorder. | | | | after spinning a wheel or rolling a pair of dice. |
| What Your Child Needs from You | | | | Pretend with Your Child |
| As you consider toys to use to help improve your | | | | Because pretend play allows them to get up and |
| child's attention span, keep in mind that your child needs | | | | move while focusing on one thing, it is perfect for |
| to be able to focus on one activity or task for about | | | | children with ADD. Buy educational toys that will |
| 25 minutes in order to survive the first year of school. | | | | encourage your child to pretend. Fake food, doctor's |
| This number increases as the child advances through | | | | kits, and dress up clothes are great additions to the |
| the educational system. If your child is a preschooler, | | | | ADD child's toy box. These do not have to be |
| take the time now to help her increase her attention | | | | complicated. Simply choose toys that will get his |
| span so that she can succeed in kindergarten. If she is | | | | imagination flowing. |
| an older student, talk to her teacher to learn what her | | | | Puppets are more great toys to use with these kids. |
| attention span should be, and work slowly towards | | | | Because they allow the child to use his imagination and |
| that goal. | | | | create crazy scenarios, puppets are very appealing to |
| Remember, your child needs to feel as though play | | | | an ADD child. Also, you can stretch your child's |
| time is play time. While you can, and should, reward | | | | attention span with puppets, as it takes time and effort |
| good attention, you need to avoid making play time into | | | | to put on a puppet show. Be a good audience and |
| school time. Keep it fun, even as you focus on | | | | reward and praise the effort! |
| improving the signs of attention deficit disorder. | | | | Parenting a child with attention deficit disorder is |
| Use Books to Help with ADD | | | | frustrating at times. The energy level of these children |
| One of the best educational toys to use with children | | | | is simply exhausting for most adults. By finding ways to |
| with ADD is a book. Choose books that are interesting | | | | play with your child that require him to focus for longer |
| to your child. Even if you do not like a particular book, | | | | and longer periods of time, you can help curb the |
| use it if it appeals to the child with ADD. Even if your | | | | energy a little while still enjoying one on one time with |
| child is old enough to read, read aloud to him. Read as | | | | your child. In this way, both of you win, and your child |
| long as his attention allows, and then let him move to | | | | will also benefit from increased performance in school! |