Hello there. I'm needing some advice regarding my 7 year old nephew. Please bear with me: Background: At 7 and 4 months, he's had a tough year- has moved from middle England to a Scottish housing estate, into a house fit to bursting after his mum came back up north for health/career reasons. His dad's military and has not only moved to the south coast, he's currently deployed in Afghanistan. His younger sister started ballet this year after much pestering. I suggested we go to karate together to get fit, make friends and he jumped at the chance. We both started Shotokan karate 2 weeks ago and are both still enthusiastic as we're doing a beginners course which is pitched at a good level for the pair of us. We're due to join the main group in another 2 weeks. Problem: Although he's perfectly bright and his hearing is ok, he has a habit of 'switching off' very often. He does this at home and school. Especially if something isn't engaging him fully. And he's doing this in karate class too. He's zoning out and missing instructions, has to be called back to focus and/or is standing fiddling with his hair or belt or feet although he understands that this makes it appear he's not listening and is rude to the instructor. Class is only 1 hr. Question 1: We'd hoped that karate would help with his concentration but he sorts of fades in and out through the class. Has anyone else had a kid who did this? Are there any techniques for keeping his attention? Or that he can learn? Question 2: When we're in class, the instructors will call his name to get him back, but there are times I get so exasperated at his behaviour I give his sleeve a quick tug myself. Should I butt out totally, or 'help him out' if he's next to me and fidgeting? Any advice would be gratefully received.
