Nordman (2020) makes the point that sustained attention is a critical component of reading success. Maintaining focus can be particularly difficult for students with weak executive functioning, ADHD or reading difficulties. She suggests the following tips:
- Reduce visual and auditory distractions
- Act out scenes from the story
- Break the activity into smaller steps (e.g., read one paragraph, page or chapter)
- Include tactile cues (e.g., manipulate action figures or cut-out characters on a story board)
- Take a visual vacation (e.g., imagine a relaxing or fun scene)
- Use non-verbal refocus signals
- Discover student interests and include at least some of these texts
- Start with a small amount of time in which students are expected to maintain focus and gradually increase over time
- Use active reading strategies (e.g., sticky notes)
- Include a mystery to solve (e.g., ask a question before reading)
- Allow sharing time as talking through a text can increase comprehension
- Take an activity break
Reference
Jenny Nordman, J. (2020). Increasing sustained attention in distracted readers. Literacy Today. 38(30), 40-41.