October – Can’t you just focus!

By NIU STEAM Educator Jess Winn

In this episode of Winning Ideas, we explore ADHD Awareness and consider ways we can be friends even if people are different than us.

* Here at NIU STEAM we are not medical doctors trying to diagnose your child. If you believe your child struggles with a mental health condition, please seek professional help immediately. *

ADHD – Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder is one of the more common diagnoses thrown around with children who are impulsive. However, in my household it’s simply called “our child.” They are working on their impulsivity, but, man, sometimes it is a struggle.

ADHD can manifest itself in a variety of ways with children (and adults) and there is no one solid way to identify if a person struggles with ADHD or not. Doctors have commonly noted that patients with ADHD struggle with paying attention, showing inordinate amounts of energy (both with moving and talking), and general impulsivity. We all know that people who present with ADHD may appear to be careless in their tasks, and struggle to focus or pay attention. They may have a hard time listening, may be disorganized or even lose things frequently. Our biggest struggle with our child is completing tasks that need focus for long periods of time. They are easily distracted by literally anything else that pops in their line of sight or into their brain.

While it becomes overwhelming constantly reminding them to complete tasks or asking them to focus, we have taken a different approach. We know they struggle. Heck, we struggle too! Instead of getting angry or frustrated, we have begun working as a family on being more mindful and slowing down the best we can. We work really hard to help our kiddo build skills they may find useful later in life, knowing this world is not yet built for neurodivergent people.

If you have someone in your life who is neurodivergent, consider things from their perspective. Oftentimes they aren’t trying to be distracted or unfocused – they simply cannot focus. Here are a few tips and tricks for working with people who may struggle with ADHD – especially children in your family or classroom. 

Mindful Activities to Incorporate into Your Day

1. Play a mindful game. Students who struggle with impulsivity benefit immensely from games like Red Light, Green Light or Simon Says. Give them opportunities to find success in following instructions and taking their time.
2. Include fidget time. With all people, ourselves included, we need to get up and move. Build a few minutes of silly dances, a lap run around the playground or even a stretching session into each class. When you structure time into your day to intentionally move, you will find that students can work to focus until that time. Break up your day and lessons. It’s better to build movement time into your day than to fight for every minute of instructional time!
3. HAVE A STRUCTURE! There are so many benefits to having a structure for students who are ADHD and who have impulsivity issues. If they can see what’s coming, they can prepare themselves. It also helps to have a consistent schedule. If I know what is coming consistently, I know how to act in those situations.

* Yes, variation and being able to handle any situation that arises is important, but if I can’t handle the schedule, it’s even harder for me to think about unstructured time too. *

• Incorporate resetting breathing into things you do. Deep, focused breathing allows your brain to relax and helps you to focus. The extra oxygen provides your brain with the additional fuel to be able to complete the tasks at hand. Take at least 3 deep breaths, breathing in for a count of 6, holding for a count of 3, then slowly releasing for a count of 6.
• Another idea is to build a friendship train where we all learn and grow together. When I was a child, we built those connections in the kitchen. Cooking with people is one area where, if I was distracted, someone else had my back and we made delicious food together. Friendship bread is easy to make, encourages people to come together, and warms your soul with good conversation, a little mess, and a whole lot of fun! Try making friendship break with your students or kiddos. Don’t forget – the whole point of friendship bread is to share with others!

Friendship Bread – An act of learning about each other

While you make this bread, be sure to spend ample time sharing in the love and joy of each other’s company.

You will need:

• 1 packet active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water (about 110^oF)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk

How to make it:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water – allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.
2. In a gallon sized zipper bag shake together the flour and sugar.
3. Slowly add the milk to the water/yeast mixture.
4. Gently add the milk/water with the flour and sugar mixture and mix well.
5. Let all of the air out of the bag before sealing it and leaving it at room temperature. Let the air out of the bag everyday!!

Daily Schedule:

• Day 1: Do nothing.
• Day 2: Mash the bag.
• Day 3: Mash the bag.
• Day 4: Mash the bag.
• Day 5: Mash the bag.
• Day 6: Add to the bag: 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk. Mash the bag.
• Day 7: Mash the bag.
• Day 8: Mash the bag.
• Day 9: Mash the bag.
• Day 10: Follow the directions below: Add 1 1/2 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup sugar, 1 1/2 cup milk. Mix well.
• Get ready to share!

Once you have cycled through “waiting” and “checking” period, you are ready to share! Place a cup of starter in a gallon zipper bag with instructions and share it with your friends. You’ll end up with 4-7 portions depending on how active your starter has been. Make a letter with instructions for them and a note. Don’t forget to save a little bit for yourself to make a delicious loaf of sweet bread or sourdough!

At the end of the day, whether a child is diagnosed with ADHD or any other disorders or different abilities, they are still children who want to learn and grow in a manner that meets their needs. We can help each other through communication, listening, and recognizing that we all have differences and strengths that lead to a better world.

* Here at NIU STEAM we are not medical doctors trying to diagnose your child. If you believe your child struggles with a mental health condition, please seek professional help immediately. *

As always, don’t forget to share your projects with us! Tag #NIUSTEAM and @NIUSTEAM for a chance to be featured in our weekly newsletter. And as always, do good things, be good people, and make yourself better than the day before.

Hey friends! Don’t forget to check out our upcoming events!

• Are you looking for a fun engaging field trip? Reach out to NIU STEAM to learn about our new field trip experiences.
• We are hosting the Engaged Learning Conference on January 24, 2025, down in the Bloomington Normal area. We would love to see you there to learn along with us! (If you can’t make it to Normal, watch for the next iteration of the conference on June 20 in Naperville.
• If you are looking for a place to build your network and contacts, consider signing up for a Learning Network with NIU STEAM. Our first will be a STEAM Stories Network for creating content that includes literacy goals, STEAM content, and connects to a wide range of student ages.
• NIU STEAM Summer Camps will be back this year with a whole new feel!

We look forward to seeing you on campus again really soon! Contact us at niusteam@niu.edu to learn more.

References

Amish friendship bread – a recipe and a way of life. Friendship Bread Kitchen. (2021, June 2). https://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: What you need to know. National Institute of Mental Health.