Recall a time when you were watching an infant or small child at play. If you can't recall such a time, then go somewhere and watch a child for a while. As a courtesy, ask the parents or adult supervisor for permission to observe.
1. Notice what the child does. Watch the physical movements, the facial expressions, and the sounds the child makes.
2. Notice that while the child is focused, not much else seems to matter. The child's attention is fully engaged. Child development experts have noted that even children with ADHD can spend hours on projects that capture their attention.
3. Then notice when the child is distracted. What happens? Does the child go on to something else?
Does his or her attention return to the earlier focus of attention? What does this tell you about how the child is perceiving the environment?
Children make great teachers. They seem capable of addressing one issue at a time. They are also able to let it go in favor of the next thing. We can learn a lot about how to be present in the world from this simple exercise.
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