Attention, learning, and brain function.

Attention is a super important component of learning for children, but it is not often discussed or understood.

Attention sits alongside other important factors for learning such as memory, language, visual perception.

Sustained attention (also known as “vigilance”) refers to the ability to maintain attention over an extended period of time.

Attention may be influenced by main factors such as arousal, sensory processing, or motor overactivity, and may be important in conditions such as ADHD, and sensory processing disorder.

There are three main parts of the brain responsible for attention including orientating systems in the side part of the brain (parietal brain), alerting/arousal systems in the brainstem (located just above the upper neck), and the “executive” brain located at the front area of the brain.

These parts of the brain all develop at different times starting from infancy, right up and beyond age 10. Advanced executive function includes factors such as working memory, planning, switching and inhibitory control.

In the practice we can tests various aspects of attention in children. This may include short term auditory memory, visual memory, attention to tasks, visual spatial orientation tests, gross motor and fine motor tests.

There are also many things which may include attention, such as improving sensory processing, gross motor skills, learning pathways, visual treatments, auditory treatments, brain therapies and nutrition.