I really enjoyed my fishing time last weekend.  I wandered out into the water and fished an incoming tide. The incoming water brought with it lots of small fish, crabs, some banjo rays and a couple of eagle rays. I watched as the small channel changed. How the weed changed which way it was leaning and how the birds changed from foraging in the shallows to flying around and fishing. It occurred to me how rarely I stop and immerse myself in my environment. It brought to mind an article I read several years ago from an educator who raised his concerns about how our children are experiencing literature. He argued that we are at risk of raising a generation of children who do not  get to dive deeply into the literary experience. If something doesn’t grab them in the first 10 or 20 seconds, they want to click next and move to the next site or page, or even video. He used the analogy that where we were once trying to develop scuba divers, in a literary sense, but instead we are now ending up with Jet Ski riders. In other words, rather than readers who want to dive deeply into a book, they skim across the surface and then move on to something else that catches their attention.

I don’t think we can blame our children for this. Have you ever tried to read something on your computer, ipad  or phone? There are notifications, pop ups and messages coming in regularly, that make it hard to concentrate and delve deeply into what is before you. It is important that we give our children (and ourselves) the skills they need to focus and be comfortable with stillness and thought. I read an article recently that gives some practical suggestions for doing this. I hope you find it helpful.

“It can be difficult for some children to stay focused and pay attention (how many adults are struggling with this, too?...)

Our children are constantly doing something. So to develop the skill of focusing and paying attention to one thing, they need to practice just being and observing.

How do we help our children develop the ability to just be, listen to the silence, and relax?

Create a "sit spot" for your child.

A "sit spot" is a spot outside where they can sit and observe. Give them a journal and pencils. Their task would be to sit and look around and draw pictures of what they see or think about.

Older kids can also write about things they see, hear, or think about.

Initially, you can do it together with your child. Sit with them and say “Let's be quiet for a bit. What can you hear? What can you see?....” and go through all the senses.

Then explain that when we're always so busy doing something or talking, we miss those things they've just noticed.

Another thing you can try is to sit together facing away from each other. When time is up you can turn and face each other to share your drawings or writings.

As your child practices sitting on their sit spot, they will get better at paying attention and focusing.” (Eidens,2021)

Have a great week with your kids and find some time to begin practicing being still.

Mark B

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46: 10