Doctor my 10 year old son is in 5th grade. Since his childhood he has been a very active kid. For the past 18 months he is finding it difficult to concentrate on tasks involving his mind like board games/home work etc. Even at home he would be constantly engage in physical activities and would not sit idle. His handwriting is horrible and his grades have hit rock bottom. Should we consult a doctor?

Ans: It is not clear what he is suffering from. Pediatric Neurology is a broad diagnosis. If he is under the treatment of a neurologist then he / she is the best person to guide you

Ans: Comprehension can improve after giving him small paragraphs, which can have multiple questions for him to answer. This is going to help him to comprehend the whole thing better and than he will be able to answer. Before writing he needs to focus more on his listening and reading skills.

Ans: Develop his reading skills by using lots of visuals initially. He should be breaking up the task given and form small questions to understand what is being written. This will definitely help him to develop his comprehension skills which would help him to go through the question paper with ease.

Ans: Thank you for sharing your concern about your son's concentration and restlessness. It's quite common for children to struggle with focus and temper at times, especially at this age. The good news is that yoga can be incredibly beneficial in addressing these issues.

For an 8-year-old, yoga helps in multiple ways:
- Asanas: Specific yoga poses, like Tree Pose and Warrior Poses, require balance and concentration, which naturally train the mind to focus better.
- Pranayama: Breathwork, such as deep belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing, calms the nervous system and reduces restlessness.
- Guided Meditation- Through mindfulness and relaxation techniques, children learn how to manage their emotions better, helping to reduce temper outbursts.

With regular practice, you'll likely notice positive changes in both his focus and emotional balance.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like more details or a specific plan for him!

Warmly,
Sabrina