Ill definitely try this a home!
Im happy to try all the tests and experts that the swiss school system seems to have at there disposal but its the practical tips and exercises that I should be trying at home that I wanted to learn. This is a great one.
They are still young, and it's easy to forget that not all kids evolve at the same rate and speed. I often have other kids at our house for babysitting/playdates, and while the Troll can be a complete airhead and manages to dream himself away, he is more independent than lots of his friends and shows real understanding of complicated questions if you get a discussion going. Many of his peers are really conscientious and autonomous (I tend to envy their mothers at homework time), but they all have other areas where they aren't as mature. It's really not linear at all, based on my observations.
In agreement with his principal we decided not to have him tested for ADD just yet. She'll tell us if she feels it's necessary, but so far the school manages him quite well and she thinks that the longer we can adapt to him rather than the other way around, the better. But I'm pretty sure that in a public school I would welcome any help I could get from specialists.
It's tough though. I can see myself in him, except I had fantastically high grades so nobody cared if I was in my private little world as long as I was an overachiever.
There's also the Time Timer, which is quite dear but there is an app if you want to give the concept a try first.
We moved to Switzerland when my child was 5.5 years but had endless issues with the usual daydreaming bla bla from the teachers and that he cannot progress etc like this. I was really surprised as my son is more tuned in than I was then if I recall 30 years ago and I did not do so badly in life I think.
At the beginning we agreed with checking his brain at doctor, psychomotoric etc etc and all said he was fine. The school also wanted to keep him back a year but I put paid to that.
In the end I just had to be a little rude to the teachers and explain as my son is half Irish and speaks four different languages he takes a more relaxed attitude to life than his Swiss counterparts but in reality you the teachers, education system are the problem.
Fast forward 3 years and he is doing just fine and far more advanced than most in his class.
To cut a long story short they find any issue with foreign children who might just be a little smarter than the Swiss or their blinkered system.
Just carry on and don't listen to their " Oh but this is Switzerland rubbish"
The school teacher described her as withdrawn and physically present but not mentally present. We had to have her hearing checked too, which was fine and the doctor mentioned the possibility of Attention Deficit Disorder without Hyperactivity. I'm not one for wanting to put big names to things but I felt that a referral to the psychiatrist wouldn't hurt, I could simply hear their opinion and see how I can possibly help her to focus better.
The first appointment is in 2 weeks time and I'm very interested to see what that involves.
I don't have any tips for you OP, but I wish you good luck with your little daydreamer 😄
We encountered our problems not in the Swiss system, but in the French one (Lycée français in Zürich), it's actually a very Swiss Montessori school that saved the day. From what I've heard of friends in Norway, our son would probably be under scrutiny right now over there as well, he wouldn't fit 100% within the Norwegian norm for a 7-year old boy.
Piano is the same; he freaks out when I suggest he quits but I have to keep fighting with him about practice.
to think they call it attention DEFICIT disorder! The sand timer idea wouldn't have worked with me... I am unable to take my eyes off them.
1. Tackle the most boring/non-interesting stuff first - the reward of more fun stuff and daydreaming time later is huge motivation.
2. Budget for daydreaming time! No matter how busy I am, I leave time for that. I know that's my time and it makes me happy/keeps me motivated throughout the day when I think about it.
3. Always something else going on at the same time: I cannot focus on a task unless there is something else going on in the background - I always, always have music playing in my headset when in the office and/or a video when working from home. When on the phone, I always take notes and/or answer an email. I'll write a quick blog/EF/FB post/text/whatsapp for 5 minutes - all of this dramatically increases my focus/brings me back from my daydream, believe it or not.
4. Sports - I alternate martial arts or other "high focus" activities that keep me on the ball to the gym, walking, etc. where I exercise but at the same time, they don't require great focus so I can daydream at leisure.
5. Lists, post-its, timers. I do things better when I have a time constraint/deadline.
6. Doodle - A LOT!
Good luck!
At the end of the day if you agree with the teachers or director they will walk all over you, once you document the steps and put your foot down all problems dissapear.
I know you know this but kids all focus differently and perhaps too much emphasis is placed on the "average, normal" child when in reality there is no such thing. Schools need to be more reactive/ adaptive to individual needs.
http://www.negifted.org/NAG/Spring_C...Brilliance.pdf
Mimi1981, I've just seen this post, apologies for responding all out of whack, but it's absolutely not for any teacher to attempt to give such a diagnosis! Rude. It's for trained professionals to assess and even then.... Your girl sounds more like she should be in the Gifted and Talented stream (if they have G and T here? I don't know what it would be called) and stretched accordingly.
What does she like to do best of all (academic-wise I mean!)? What kinds of books is she reading? Not needing an answer, just maybe something to consider
There's too much teaching towards the middle... grr...
There's a Context Comprehension reading test that gives reading ages between 9 and 14 (basically more than 14 is adult level) but I can't find my copy - all I have is the answers! If I can find a hard copy in my files I can scan you a copy if you'd be interested. I can't find an online copy and Amazon are out of stock. Below the age of 9 there's a SPAR test, but to be honest, I'm betting she's reading at an advanced level.