Kids distraction techniques (help)

[cirestan]

My 9 year old daughter loves Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull.

You know what kids like, more than anything else in the entire world?
When an adult, who is not their parent or teacher, expresses sincere interest in what they are doing. Just sharing your own interests or hobbies with him will mean the world to him, and will naturally curb some of his attention seeking behavior because you are providing the attention.
If you show him something you find interesting and tell him why you find it interesting it will pique his interest more than just giving him a coloring book or a novel.

[Eliste]

You're right Eliste and thank you for telling me straight. I just wanted to help I guess. I am sticking my nose in where it's not wanted or necessarily required. I'll leave off for now then. My apologies for being a bothersome idiot.

I would not have called you a bothersome idiot. If you want to help, approach the parents and ask. I'm sure they would LOVE for you to do something with him. But bear in mind that doing something with HIM may mean you can't also do something with THEM. My point was that you should ask first, not that you should necessarily do nothing ever.

[QueenBex]

No worries

[Firehawke]

Fablehaven and Narnia are great series! The Redwall series is good, too...might be a little old for him, but it might not be.

Also...if he likes hands on stuff, maybe something crafty to keep his attention and his hands busy?

Good luck!

[QueenBex]

Found it is maybe best to let things run their own course and go with the flow as it were. This evening he told me that the blue from his colouring pencils I gave him is down to a very small amount. And he asked for my favourite animal.
He had got pen all over his fingers and managed to get it on his head as well.

[blackmageheart]

Found it is maybe best to let things run their own course and go with the flow as it were.

I've always found that approach to work with most kids!

You know what kids like, more than anything else in the entire world?
When an adult, who is not their parent or teacher, expresses sincere interest in what they are doing. Just sharing your own interests or hobbies with him will mean the world to him, and will naturally curb some of his attention seeking behavior because you are providing the attention.

Oh, I absolutely agree. They love it when someone is interested in what they are doing, especially when it's not their parent(s). Ivy's school once complained to me that she wouldn't draw or paint without an adult present - I had to explain that she just loves to know people are interested! (Then again, her teachers are a bit dumb.)

My point was that you should ask first, not that you should necessarily do nothing ever.

Another good piece of advice. I used to babysit a hell of a lot and found that not only do parents like to be asked first, they can sometimes help you out with ideas. And they are usually grateful for the help!