What Does it Mean to Attend Well?

This school year, we have focused intentionally on virtue, and one area has stood out to me more than any other: attention.

The Modern Attention Deficit in Children and Families

It doesn’t take scientific studies, though there are many, to recognize that students today struggle with a deficit of attention. Where children were once expected to wait patiently, they are now often handed a device to entertain them, sparing them the discomfort of sitting quietly in a restaurant, riding in the car, or accompanying a parent through the grocery store. Most of us are guilty of this. As parents, offering a device also relieves our own discomfort when we are trying to manage an unruly child while accomplishing daily tasks. Yet the long-term result is clear: a diminished ability to attend, both at home and in the classroom.

“Be Still”: Attention as a Spiritual Discipline

In Psalm 46:10, the Lord commands us to “Be still.” This is no small command for the modern person. Each morning, I sit for quiet time to read Scripture and pray, and yet how often my thoughts drift to my to-do list or the demands of the day. Being still and attending to the Lord requires effort, discipline, and practice.

Why Focus Is Difficult; and Why It Matters

I understand, then, why it is difficult for a student to remain focused on reading a chapter of The Swiss Family Robinson or working through thirty math problems. To attend well requires perseverance, patience, and the intentional removal of distractions so that we can be fully present to the task at hand.

Narration: A Classical Tool for Training Attention

This summer, our teachers read A Classical Guide to Narration by Jason Barney. Narration is the practice of students actively processing and reproducing knowledge in their own words. In classical education, it is meant to be a primary tool of learning.

How Narration Builds Lasting Understanding

With narration, students must listen or read attentively and then tell back what they have learned. It sounds simple, but it is not easy. Narration turns reading into long-term knowledge because it requires full attention and thoughtful engagement.

Applying the Practice of Attention Beyond the Classroom

I have found that narration also helps me in my own quiet time. When I read Scripture and then reflect back on what I have read, I remain more present. When I am still, as the Lord commands, I am better able to hear His voice.

Training Students to Receive Instruction Well

The same is true for our students. When we have their attention, and when they are trained to focus, they are better able to receive instruction from both teacher and parent.

Is Attention a Virtue?

So is attention a virtue? Yes! Training ourselves and our children to attend well is deeply formative. It shapes our minds, our habits, and our ability to live faithfully before God.

Practicing Attention at Home as a Family

I encourage you to look for small opportunities at home to practice this together as a family. Perhaps it means choosing reading instead of evening television, or playing a board game together instead of digital games on individual screens. With intentional effort, I believe we can begin to restore the gift of attention in our daily lives.




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