Age of Distraction

It’s not just our kids. Parents can’t focus either. What’s the answer?

I have worked in schools for over 20 years, and I have never heard so much dismay about the inability to focus as I have the last couple of years. Mostly from parents. Talking about themselves. 

Or as Taylor Swift might say, “It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem. It’s me.”

Attention is the ability to direct our limited mental resources when and where we need them. The key word here is “limited.” Attention is a finite cognitive resource — a battery drained by overstimulation, multitasking, worry, distraction, pings and dings. 

For November’s Deseret Magazine, I talked to three of my favorite thinkers about what to do:

1. Ethan Kross, a neuroscientist and author of Chatter: The Voice in Our Heads, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It.”

2. Nina Kraus, a neuroscientist and author of “Of Sound Mind: How Our Brain Constructs a Meaningful Sonic World”

3. Barbara Oakley, learning expert and author of “Learning How to Learn” — a book I have used to teach middle schoolers more about their brain.

If you are having trouble focusing — like your attentional river has run dry — take a look.

You’ll learn more about the

• myth of multitasking

• why small noises are creating big challenges (did you know our phone dings activate our brain’s warning system?!)

• Attention Restoration Theory: or how time in nature can recharge our attention batteries

• plus my VERY FAVORITE TECHNIQUE for focusing on demand —a technique I am using RIGHT NOW to write this newsletter

Read “Age of Distraction” here

Image by Michael Driver for Deseret Magazine

Help for Mental Chatter

Speaking of Dr. Ethan Kross, I’ll be interviewing him live for a parenting event hosted by Parent Venture. He’s warm, engaging, and brilliant — and has practical advice about how to help our kids (and ourselves) make our inner voice a little more healthy. Because our mental chatter isn’t always kind, right?

December 8, 2022 (5:30PT/8:30ET)

You can RSVP and get a link here.

For Early Childhood/Elementary Educators

Turns out I have TWO events of December 8 — this one is at 9amPT/12pmET and hosted by the Kern Family Foundation. Feel free to use or share this registration link.

I’ll be discussing the research behind my most recent picture books: “You Wonder All the Time” and “You Are Growing All the Time” including:

• Why awe is both a protective and productive emotion 

• How wonder supports generosity, empathy, and curiosity

• Why noticing and naming character strengths when children are very young will develop stronger character habits

Speaking of Books!

I have been having a great time reading my books to kids and talking with parents about the research behind them — shout out to Rutgers Preparatory School (NJ), Kent Place School (NJ), Riverbend School (MA), Wellesley Books (MA), Sheridan School (DC), Montrose School (MA), and Cupertino School District (CA) for hosting me in the last month. If you know of a school that is looking for a parent speaker or guest author for kids, you can learn more here.

Looking for a holiday or baby shower gift? You can buy the complete “All the Time” series at a 15% discount directly from my publisher. Also available anywhere you like to buy books (I love it when people order from their favorite indie bookstore!)

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving season!

Cheers,

Deborah

P.S. Three other articles I’ve written recently that you might enjoy:

• How Parents Can Help Kids Develop Self-Confidence

• How Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Can Help Parents and Grandparents

• Planning a Trip? Let Your Child Help

P.P.S. The last book is dedicated to Fred Rogers, so this kind endorsement from Daniel Tiger creator Angela Santomero means the world to me.