With students everywhere preparing to return to their schools, I wonder how we can help our children achieve more in their educational careers. Recently I re-read an article that may help some parents who have questions about their child’s ability to succeed in school.
Researchers at UC Davis conducted a study that shows a direct correlation between attention problems early in the child’s life (as young as kindergarten), and their performance in high school. ”The Impact of Childhood Behavior Problems on Academic Achievement in High School” analyzed 700 children beginning at age five until the age of eighteen. They found that of all the characteristics that were present in the child at a young age, inattentiveness was the biggest factor in poor performance later on in life.
Lead study author Joshua Breslau, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine and a researcher with the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities said, “By identifying attention problems as the most consequential for academic achievement over the long term, this study helps us decide where to put our clinical resources.”
Co-author Julie Schweitzer added, “The message for parents and teachers is to not ignore signs of inattentiveness in young children.”
I realize that we all hope for the best when it comes to our children and we want to believe that all things will work out in the end, but sometimes it is better to take action early. If you suspect your child has attention issues that go beyond most children their age, please see your pediatrician to discuss your options. While I do hope you will trust the Total Learning Center to help with the evaluation, what is most important to me is that your child receives the best assistance possible, regardless of who offers it.
The full article is available here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526093928.htm
