Because children are constantly exposed to fast paced technology like cell phones, text messaging, email, and video games, many find it difficult to stay focused and pay attention in today’s slower paced classrooms.
Teachers and parents are often challenged to keep kids focused and on-task. Learning is more difficult with a short attention span. “Short attention spans seem to pervade today’s classrooms,” says veteran classroom teacher, Peter Freer, MEd. Freer spent two decades researching and developing attention training technology to counter today’s distracted, short-memory students. He found that NASA had used feedback technology to teach pilots and astronauts to pay attention in the cockpit.
NASA’s research inspired him to create Play Attention, a helmet lined with sensors that allows students to control computer exercises by mind alone. The comprehensive learning system not only empowers students to move objects on screen by concentration, but also teaches them to finish homework and filter out distractions. “Educators are being forced to teach differently because kids are exposed to so much. But education does not equate to entertainment. We should expect students to attend to all levels of stimulation.�
Play Attention is easy-to-use and highly motivating. It also includes methods that help reduce self-distracting behaviors like calling out or fidgeting. The unique system monitors brain activity through the sensor lined helmet. The fun exercises teach skills necessary to be successful in the classroom. Improving attention is important for a variety of fields, so Play Attention is used world wide by parents, teachers, psychologists, hospitals, learning centers, and even the US Olympic Women’s Bobsled Team.
“Training people to pay better attention is what we’re focused on,� says Freer whose Play Attention learning system is used in over 450 school systems in the US alone. “60% to 70% of children will carry their attention problems into adulthood – so poor attention is a problem for corporate America, not just America’s schools.�
To learn more about how and why Play Attention works, visit www.playattention.com.
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