Please pay attention

ONE MEMORY from our younger years in school is that of the teacher's admonition for us to “please pay attention.” The observed restlessness and inattention of children in the classroom show that they are distracted. They need to be brought back to the lessons at hand and stay focused.

- By Tony Samson

It is seen as a sign of intelligence, or maybe just perseverance, both attributes helpful in his adult life, when a child exhibits a sustained attention span demonstrated by a quiet demeanor and even the taking down of notes. (How do you pronounce that, Sir?)

The opposite of this virtue of paying attention is deemed a learning disability, known as “attention deficit.” This is displayed in a child never completing an activity, whether it is reading or engaging in a video game. Getting easily distracted and moving restlessly from one unfinished task to another characterizes this condition.

A child’s ability to pay attention is seen as the key to discipline and getting good grades in school. Never mind if the subject and its delivery is boring. Attentive listening and quiet analysis of cause and effect are part of becoming a responsible person and a dependable colleague. Even later as an adult, the individual is bombarded by the plea to pay attention.

Putting the burden of paying attention on the listener, or “consumer,” can no longer be presumed.