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When we are busy with something, our attention, in the vast majority of cases, is focused on this process. And, of course, ability is one of the most effective and necessary skills for a person. Indeed, thanks to it, a person can completely immerse himself in the task being performed, and all extraneous stimuli pass, as if by him, in no way distracting him. But what to do in situations when our attention is absorbed by obsessive thoughts, some object, or we simply cannot tear ourselves away from some process? The importance of a person's ability to switch attention is no less than the ability to concentrate, and sometimes he needs it much more. How to learn to switch your attention and develop this skill in yourself? Before answering this question, we should say a little about what attention is in general.
Attention is the process of selective perception of an object, which is characterized by changes in the intensity of experiences, their clarity and content. As a rule, attention is expressed in a person's attitude to something, and behind this attitude there are already his attitudes, needs, interests and mental orientation. The focus is always on a certain object, and everything else is secondary and not so clear. But the process of attention itself is not independent and can be controlled.
Attention performs a number of special functions, it can be of several types and forms, and also has its own properties. For clarification, it is worth noting that the main functions of attention are the following:
- Selection of current this moment information
- Ensuring concentration on a particular object or any activity
- Activation of primary and inhibition of secondary mental processes
You can learn more about attention and its features in more detail by reading. Now we will turn our attention to the main topic of today's conversation - switching attention.
Attention shifting is, basically, a conscious and purposeful shift of the focus of perception from one object (or activity) to another. Figuratively, this process can be represented as a light beam emanating from a flashlight: for example, you walk at night and illuminate the space in front of you with this beam, but then something rustled away from you and you direct the light beam towards the rustling to find out more about its source. This ray of light is the very attention that we all use in everyday life. True, there is one nuance here: the rustling distracted you, i.e. your attention shifted automatically. Switching attention should always be done consciously. This is the difference between mere distractibility and purposeful switching of attention, which depends on the actual this moment tasks.
In addition, factors such as previous and new activities of a person, as well as his personal qualities. For example, if you just watched interesting videos on the Internet, but you urgently need to start hard work, then the switch will be more difficult than if you switched from hard work to watching videos. The fact is that conscious switching of attention always implies the work of some kind of volitional effort, and much easier and faster happens from an object (or activity) less significant and interesting to more significant and interesting.
Switching attention always reflects the individual mental characteristics of each person. So, for example, there is a category of people who are able to quickly change the focus of their perception, and there is a category of those who do it slowly. But be that as it may, this process has a direct impact on everything that a person does, even on how he perceives the world around him. After all, the direction of our attention, in many ways, forms our worldview, beliefs, direction of behavior, mood, etc. That is why switching attention must be learned. And the most interesting thing is that it is quite simple to do this.
Ways to switch attention
Method one
Knowing that the main factor for focusing our attention is information coming from outside, we can apply a simple technique that allows us to, albeit not completely, but still protect our attention from unnecessary information - this is ignoring. First, do not attach undue importance to what does not concern you and your life. Try to take care of only your own affairs and what is important for you. Of course, this does not mean that you should become "stubborn" and be concerned only with yourself - just adequately perceive what is happening and do not complicate your life with what you really do not need. And secondly, limit the flow of incoming information - both many media outlets and many people constantly “load” us with an excess of negativity: something terrible happened somewhere, someone has difficulties and problems, etc. And we take it all in. You need to stop doing this: stop watching TV, avoid constantly complaining people, protect yourself from the flow of negative energy that is transmitted from all this. Focus primarily on things that directly affect your life.
Method two
Cultivate a positive attitude: do not take everything too seriously, learn to laugh at yourself and accept any events with a smile, do not take on overwhelming or meaningless tasks. Remember that everything goes its own way, and in case of troubles, repeat to yourself a very powerful saying: "Do what you must - and be what will be." Simply put, you need to give up on everything. Let everything be and freely go through life. Only in this way can you learn to shift your attention in a positive direction, regardless of any extraneous stimuli.
Method three
It's no secret that attention is a reinforcing force for any state. Therefore, as soon as you feel that your attention is switching to the negative, immediately try to switch to something opposite or at least neutral. For example, if you have been standing in line for a very long time to finally pay for an apartment, but the number of grandmothers not only does not decrease, but in a strange way continues to increase, you should not be indignant about this and mentally curse them and mail, and the whole wide world. Move your attention to something else: observe what is happening, explore the environment around you or someone's appearance, think about plans for the evening, or remember joyful moments in your life. After some time, you will notice that your condition has changed, in fact, everything is not so bad, you are in a pretty good mood, and you are next in line. The situation at the post office, of course, is just an example. The method itself can be applied anywhere and anytime.
Method four
If you are bothered by an obsessive experience, and you can’t get rid of it, try to literally consider and study it. Concentrate on the experience itself: try to physically feel its presence in the body and find its location, see its color, feel the vibration, determine the size. In many cases, this method automatically neutralizes the undesirable state and brings the person back to normal.
Method five
This method helps to switch from one task to another. If you notice that you can’t stop doing something, and it’s like something is holding you back, but you realize that you need to switch, and it’s extremely difficult to do this, just think about your attention and where it is now directed. Tell yourself firmly and clearly: "STOP!" Set priorities for yourself and determine what is more important to you now.
That part of your personality that is used to succumbing to weaknesses and indulging yourself will insistently tell you: “Everything is fine, just a little more, and I will get on with things,” thereby trying to get you back on track. Don't give in to it! No matter what, do not go back to the previous occupation and do what needs to be done. Literally 5-10 minutes - and your attention will enthusiastically switch to new job. At first, this technique is likely to be difficult, but with practice it will become easier and easier. In addition, thanks to this method, you will also train self-control.
Method six
Any time you realize that you need to switch your attention from one object (or activity) to another, be aware of everything that is happening in currently: your thoughts, feelings, physical condition, what you are doing, what you are concentrating on, etc. This technique will relax your concentration on something previous, free your thoughts, have a calming effect, help you understand the essence of what is happening, set priorities and give strength to switch your attention to the desired object (or type of activity). If possible, close your eyes - this will have an additional effect.
It is easy to see that very simple techniques are used to switch attention. They are within the power of absolutely every person and do not require anything for their implementation, except desire and regular practice.
Now you know the ways to switch attention, and the matter remains small - read this article and purposefully direct the "beam of your flashlight" to something else, for example, to write a good comment.
Instruction
Take tests that determine the degree of concentration and the level of distribution of your attention. Usually they are tables with numbers of different colors or pictures that need to be grouped in a certain order or found behind limited time. Find out the results. If the results are not very impressive, practice before taking another series of similar tests. But even in the event that, according to the results of the tasks, you have exceeded the wildest expectations, you should not stop there.
Switching attention is directly related to the ability to distribute it in accordance with the task. It is also known that the body begins to protest if a person thinks only about something negative or problematic for a long time. In order not to oppress your body, try switching to short term thinking about the good.
As soon as you feel that your mind is overshadowed by thoughts of something unpleasant, imagine all the problems in a different light. Think about how some cartoon or comedy character would solve them. Or, if you cannot show all your imagination at the moment, think about children, your hobby, an interesting movie. In general, about everything that causes you positive emotions.
If you are engaged in mental work, it is useful to take a break from business for at least 5 minutes once an hour and do some physical exercises, gymnastics for the eyes, or just take a breath of fresh air by standing by the window. You yourself will notice that it is as if strength and the necessary concentration have returned to you again. Refusal of such "five minutes" can lead to a deterioration in memory, attention and fatigue, which will not have the best effect on business.
Focusing on business does not always require complete silence. On the contrary, quiet music, the noise outside the window contributes to the concentration of attention, which from time to time “switches” on its own, for example, if you hear some kind of sharp sound or a beautiful musical passage.
To be "like Julius Caesar", who, according to legend, could do several things at the same time, it is enough to practice through a simple exercise. Try writing with your left and right hand at the same time first, for example. numbers in order, and then - through one or in reverse order. Practice this for a few minutes, noting the number of mistakes along the way. Then do something else, and after 5-10 minutes, try to do this exercise again. Alternate exercise and other activity for an hour. You will notice that each time the number of errors decreases. From time to time, train in such a way that you learn to distribute attention and switch from one activity to another.
Teacher GBOU secondary school No. 379
Toropynina T.V.
When you need to switch attention from one type of work to another. Completion of quick-witted tasks at a high pace of work.
Attention is manifested in any conscious human activity to a greater or lesser extent. Attention is the concentration of consciousness and its focus on something that matters to a person. Attention improves the result of other mental processes - such as memorization, thinking, imagination, but does not exist by itself. Attention properties include:
Stability (the ability to maintain a state of attention on any object for a long time), - concentration (the ability to concentrate one's attention on one object while distracting from others), - distribution (the ability to disperse attention over a significant space, simultaneously performing several activities), - volume (the amount of information that a person is able to keep in the area of increased attention).
Switchability (transfer from one object to another, from one type of activity to another),
Attention is the ability of a person to concentrate his "cognitive processes" on one object in order to study (cognize) it. Attention, like all other mental processes, has lower and higher forms. The former are represented by involuntary attention, while the latter are arbitrary. A person's attention is formed from birth, and in the process of its formation, an interconnected development of memory, speech, etc. takes place.
In our work, we encountered a problem in the area of attention switching, so we will consider this issue in more detail. Let's consider in more detail.
Switching attention is performed by a person consciously. A simple transfer of attention to another object cannot be considered a switch: it must be associated with the setting of a new goal. Initially, it was believed that the ability to switch attention is innate and available to few people. Later it was proven that special training can improve attention span.
With a high concentration of attention, its switching is difficult.
How to learn how to quickly switch attention. How to learn to switch your attention and develop this skill in yourself?
The success of switching depends on the characteristics of the previous and new activity and personal qualities of a person. If the previous job is interesting and the next job is not, then switching is difficult, and vice versa.
Switching attention is a conscious and meaningful movement of attention from one object or action to another, restructuring of attention, its transition from one object to another in connection with a change in the task of the activity.
Switching attention is always accompanied by some tension, which is expressed in volitional effort. From this it is clear why it is difficult for a student to start a new job, especially if it does not evoke pleasant feelings, and the previous activity, on the contrary, was more interesting. For example, switching attention to the lesson from the things that the children were doing during the break. Frequent change types of work in progress learning activities can cause great difficulty for students. And this should be taken into account when developing lessons.
If, being distracted, a person changes the object of attention involuntarily, then, switching attention, he consciously sets a goal to do something new. Attention quickly and easily switches from a less important subject to a more significant one.
In switching attention are clearly manifested individual characteristics human - some people can quickly move from one activity to another, while others - slowly and with difficulty. Different types activities require different forms of attention.
tasks
Name
exercises
Target
Time
holding
Instructions and tasks
"Method of Münsterberg".
Formation in children of concentration and stability of attention; development of selective attention.
5-10 minutes.
Words are inserted into a meaningless set of letters (more often nouns, but there may be verbs, adjectives, adverbs). It is required to find them as quickly as possible and without errors. The child is given a form with printed lines of randomly typed letters, following one after another without spaces. Among these letters, students must find the words and underline them. Then the students exchange a notebook with a desk mate and check the assignment (correct mistakes, underline words not found).
The indicator of success can be the number of correctly found words.
rewrite the following lines without errors:
a) AMMADAMA REBERGE ASSAMASA
GESCLALLA ESANESSAS DETALLATA
b) ENALSSTADE ENADSLAT
ETALTARS USOKGATA LIMMODOR
CLATIMORE
c) RETABRERTA NORASOTANN
DEBARUGA CALLIHARRA
FILLITADERRA
d) GRUMMOPD
e) WATERPROOFETTA
SERAFINNETATSTOLE
EMMASEDATONOV
e) GRASEMBLADOVUNT
g) GRODERASTVERATON
CHLOROPHONIMATE
DARRISWATHENORRA
h) LIONOSANDER
i) MINOSEPRITAMATORENTALI TELEGRANTOLLIADZE
j) MASOVRATONILOTOSLAW
k) MUSELONGRINAVUPTIMONATOLIG RAFUNITARE
m) ADSELANOGRIVANTEBUDAROCHAN
m) BERMOTINAVUCHIGTODEBSHOZHANUIY
MSTENATUREPVADIOLUZGLNICHEVYAN
o) OSTIMARE
"Correct Exercises"
The development of concentration and self-control in the performance of written work.
5 minutes (at least 5 times a week) for 4 months.
Within 5 minutes you need;
Option 1. Cross out all encountered (or circle) the letters "A": both small and capital, and in the title of the text, and in the author's surname;
Option 2. "I" underline, "L" cross out;
Option 3. "E" circle, "D" cross out;
Option 4. "O" underline, "K" cross out;
Option 5. Letters are circled on one side, ticked on the other, and so on.
Checking the completion of the task is carried out by the students themselves from each other (they look for errors, correct them).
The game "Inverted words".
Developing the ability to concentrate in children.
10-15 minutes.
Students are given a set of words in which the letters are reversed. It is necessary to restore the normal word order.
Example: MAIZ - WINTER, NYANAAV - BATHROOM.
a) SHIAMNA- b) LABOSAK- c) SYUB-
TEEVR- DAUM- LOCHDO-
FEKRI- TRKO- LOR-
EZEZHOL- RMEO- META-
AKSHA- NALEP- VORK-
The task can be used when studying the topic: “Noun”, where it is additionally given to determine the gender and declension. noun.
"Join the halves of the words."
Development of concentration and stability of attention.
5-10 minutes.
Words are divided into two parts. Then, the first halves are written in discord in the left column, and the second in the right. It is necessary to connect these halves with each other so that whole words are obtained.
Option 1. Option 2.
SAMO LYAR ROD RAST
BUK VERT WHEN RIDING
FOOT VAR WHO INA
BAL VAR RAZ GOROK
CAP CON BY POINT
CON NAL SOR BOR
WA KA STEAM WHO
CA GON WATER FOR
GON KANG SEM TA
Children write down the composed words in workbooks, then check. Can be given Additional tasks not only on the topic of the lesson, but also as material for repetition.
"Find words".
The development of concentration.
5-7 minutes.
Words are written on the board, in each of which you need to find another word hidden in it and underline it.
Laughter, wolf, pillar, braid, bison, regiment, fishing rod, stranded, kit, injection, road, deer, pie, tunic.
Formation of switching attention in children.
5-7 minutes.
Students work in workbook.
Option 1: Fill in the blanks to make an offer. To do this, solve examples. Replace number answers with words. Insert the first letters of these words instead of a dash. The number 1 can be replaced by the words "one" (0) and "one" (E). The number of the block of examples corresponds to the number of the word in the sentence.
Example: ---and
Answer: CHILDREN, since 18-8=10 (D); 22:22=1(E); 18:6=3(T).
Option 2. Insert missing letters instead of dashes to make words. But first, solve the examples, and in the answer, instead of a number, write down the first letter of the word denoting this number. Keep in mind that 1 is both "one", and "one", and "one".
Example: - - - YX
We insert the received letters instead of gaps and get the word COCK.
64:8= - - - - 8+8=
5x4=
b 4x4 \u003d - - A - - b - 49: 7 \u003d
The task is carried out at the beginning of the lesson in the form of an oral account. Gradually the task becomes more difficult.
"Guess the word".
Development of concentration and switching of attention.
10 minutes.
Examples are written on the board. If you count correctly, you will get a word that is “encoded” with letters.
L B O N R A C W T H
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
122 7112 8679 777
+334 + 1136 - 7141 -326
456 8248 1538 451
CANCER CAKE BOW RAB
The task gradually becomes more difficult. This task helps children not only become more attentive, but also quickly and effectively master the rules for adding and subtracting numbers in a column, as well as multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers within a million.
Work can be carried out both at the beginning and at the end of the lesson. Observation showed that the guys perform this task with great interest and desire. Calculation errors have been significantly reduced.
"Edible - inedible"
Developing Attention Switching
The host takes turns throwing a ball to the participants and at the same time names objects (edible and inedible). If the object is edible, the ball is caught; if not, it is discarded.
Development of concentration of attention and its stability
A form is given with letters printed in random order. Looking through the letters, the child must find the lost words.
fpitzmkunzniakotelmartpomballv
trpmsmoke
quialipshubayvakrtyamamaoyipsazsh
otshmlororvstormstralgpalkani
dyrametlakayogubusschgm
"Fly "
Development of concentration and switching of attention
This exercise requires a board with a nine-cell 3x3 playing field drawn on it and a small suction cup (or a piece of plasticine). The sucker acts as a "trained fly". The board is placed vertically and the host explains to the participants that the movement of the "fly" from one cell to another occurs by giving commands to it, which it obediently executes. According to one of the four possible commands ("up", "down", "right" and "left"), the "fly" moves according to the command to the neighboring cell. The starting position of the "fly" is the central cell of the playing field. Commands are given participants in turn. The players must, relentlessly following the movements of the "fly", prevent it from leaving the playing field.
After all these explanations, the game itself begins. It is held on an imaginary field, which each of the participants represents in front of him. If someone loses the thread of the game, or "sees" that the "fly" has left the field, he gives the command "Stop" and, returning the "fly" to the central cell, starts the game again. "Fly" requires constant concentration from the players.
How to switch a child from one activity to another
Children, especially very young ones, find it difficult to leave one activity (especially if it is interesting) and switch to another. Do it in a playful way - and there will be no whims and protests. And you are saved from...
The transition from one activity to another becomes exciting and interesting if you use funny sentences. For example, these are:
Trali-wali, trali-vali,
We have already drawn
And now…
Trali-wali, trali-vali,
We played with you...
Trali-wali, trali-vali,
We collected all the toys ...
Trali-wali, trali-vali,
Washed hands for a long time ....
We wore boots...
We walked with you...
When you need your child to leave one activity and start another, pick up some toy, such as a calf, and say: “Moooo ... moooo ... Sasha, I want to eat (swim, walk), feed me (bathe me, let's go for a walk, dress me ...). And the kid will willingly go to fulfill the calf's request.
Warn the baby that as soon as the alarm rings (music starts), he ends “this” and begins “that”. It may not work the first time, but - repeat, and soon he will get used to such a signal. After all, it does not sound like an order or guidance, but simply as a reminder: “it's time, the time has come!” Set the alarm clock together in advance. It is even better (for older children) to use an hourglass for this purpose.
Why does the child insist on
Is this alarm clock old?
No, new.
Can I make it old?
Do you remember that in the first years of life, children decide the question of trust-distrust. It started when the baby was defenseless and completely dependent on you. Now, standing on his feet, the little one suddenly realized that he could not only wait and ask, no, now he felt that he himself was able to own something (o). For example, the world that surrounds him. And at the same time to study and test it for endurance. Who will win.
In the second year of life, exploring this world, the baby learns to exercise his will.
Here he is concentratedly laying out of the mosaic either a flower, or a tree, in general, something yellow-green. Then you come up and correct: the flower, they say, is done wrong, but the grass in general ... The kid screams and throws the box and ... he won’t touch the mosaic anymore, no matter how you persuade. I just want to put him in his place: “Don't be self-willed, look, what a stubborn (harmful, stubborn) one!” But - take your time.
Many parents are frightened by such ardent children's self-will, self-will and try to short-circuit the child (just in case, so as not to be spoiled). But it is still worth separating the wheat from the chaff. Figure out. If the baby, when we interfere in his activities, insists on his own, gets angry, screams, even quits the lesson - this is not a simple harm. You will be able (if you want) to understand when the child is stubborn “on business”, and when it is because he was really spoiled.
Please note: skirmishes occur most often due to our incorrect interference. The whims begin when you interfere in the process of his work, trying to direct and remake in your own way? He is indignant not in vain.
We would call such a protest “an expression of will”. So the young man defends his right to autonomy (independence). He learns without you (on his own!) to explore the world and himself: walk, eat, take and discard things, make his choice and even realize it (to the best of his ability). Do not shorten it, but rejoice: a person is growing. And it's not so easy: to break through to the new and at the same time prove that he can, wants, is able to do something without you - completely independently.
True, parents can easily prove to a little person that the cat has wept for independence in him and he is no good for anything without them.
Here the little one is climbing the ladder (by himself). The ladder is steep, but what if it falls? What will a smart mother do? She will not scream and hold, and will not even support if the baby does not want it. She will simply come up and stand next to him, and will insure, but unobtrusively, imperceptibly for him. So that the baby, having risen and descended, feels like a winner. He could! Myself!
From here, from such “little things”, faith in oneself, initiative, perseverance, and the ability to defend one’s point of view originate. Those are the traits that make a person successful in life.
When parents constantly say “do it this way”, “learn from me”, they seem to show that he, their baby, is good for nothing, that they do not trust him. And what is the result? Only one thing: the baby will also begin to doubt his abilities. And here it is not far from the lack of will.
The ability to show one's will and do something by oneself is necessary for the baby, otherwise he will begin to doubt his abilities.
At the age of about one and a half years, the baby defies all external parental control. And the sign of this is a short word "no". Children's "no!" - a loud statement about their right to stand on their own feet, to use with my own hands. Two and three-year-olds struggle so fiercely for their independence that hearing “yes” from them is as unusual as seeing a cat with a green mustache. Protest to the point of absurdity.
Arina reads poetry with her mother (“We are going, we are going, we are going to distant lands ...”). Mom starts, daughter continues. It turns out like this:
Mom says:
Tra-ta-ta, tra-ta-ta, we carry with us ... Arina picks up:
NOT a cat. Mother:
Chizhik ... Daughter:
NOT a dog, NOT Petka bully ...
A monkey, a parrot, here ... Daughter:
NOT a company!
But this amusing and absurd protest, these endless “no” and “no!” are in fact the road to your own “I”.
