The Homeschool View
Distractions
By Hunter Fell

September 16, 2010

Distractions … everyone has them, everyone sees them, but – Oh, look! A butterfly - not everyone gives into them as easily as others.

As you can see, I don’t have what some might call “distraction resistance” which means that I can get distracted VERY easily. While beginning to write this article, I looked down and noticed a blank piece of paper and a pen lying next to me and promptly started to doodle. Pretty soon the once blank piece of paper had so many doodles on it that you couldn’t figure out what I had drawn. And the article? It blankly stared back at me.

Speaking of distractions, I am writing this from the comfort of my living room and my dad just came in and turned on the TV. Well, there goes my concentration … again.

(15 minutes later)

Well, that’s bizarre – “The 10th Kingdom” – ever heard of it? As I was saying, hmm, what was I saying? Oh yeah, distractions. As you know, there are thousands of things at school that can distract you. Whether it is the kid next to you who keeps picking his nose, or the peeling paint on your desk, or your dog that keeps barking to be let outside (Ok, maybe that last one is more of a homeschool problem), distractions are everywhere.

Homeschoolers are vulnerable to distractions too; in fact, if we don’t guard against them, we can end up with more distractions than other students.
For example, it’s true that both homeschoolers and public schoolers have to deal with cluttered books and supplies, but I bet public schoolers don’t have to deal with a tempting TV in their homeroom, nor do they have the ability to get up and get a snack during science. Limiting your distractions is necessary to the learning process no matter how you’re educated; and sometimes the very reason a student (or parent) decides to homeschool is to provide an environment better suited for a distractible student.

I’m happy to say that there is also a good side to distractions. BECAUSE of all the distractions, I am forced to develop the ability to concentrate even if there are other things going on around me that I would rather be doing. So depending on your “view”, distractions can be a blessing or a curse. The key is in knowing what distracts you; and setting up limits to guard against them.

Let me know your views, homeschooled or otherwise, by emailing your questions, comments, or topic ideas for an upcoming article to dillsburgbanner@dillsburgbanner.net, subject line: Homeschool View.