As we gear up for the holidays, things can quickly get overwhelming for grown-ups. There are so many things demanding our attention — holiday get-togethers, gift purchases, travel, and hosting —  that we can quickly feel frazzled. 

In October, I talked about how Attention is a Limited Resource. This time of year, it is easy to feel it. This is what children with attention challenges can struggle with all year. This is particularly true in a school setting where they are expected to maintain attention on non-preferred tasks for much of the day.

When children who lack strong attention skills spend a whole day working really hard to maintain attention on schoolwork, they can become emotionally and mentally exhausted. They are more likely to lash out at home or be really impatient with others. 

Two different parents have shared with me how attention training helped their children be kinder to siblings and more patient overall. Once a child does not have to work so hard to maintain his or her attention, they have more capacity for patience and kindness (it requires attention skills to put yourself in someone else’s shoes). 

So, if you are looking for a little more patience and kindness from your child this holiday season, this may be a good time to try out some yoga with your child. There are plenty of yoga programs for children of different ages. The focus on mindfulness along with precise movement is good for improving attention and being more present. 

May your holidays be filled with peace and kindness!