The power of meta cognition

Meta cognition practice can be highly beneficial for kids with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) as it involves thinking about and managing one's own cognitive processes, which are often affected by the disorder. Here are some ways meta cognition can help:

1. **Improving self-awareness**: Meta cognition helps children with ADHD understand their own thought patterns, strengths, and weaknesses. By recognizing when they are distracted or having difficulty focusing, they can develop strategies to manage their attention and behavior more effectively.

2. **Enhancing self-regulation**: Kids with ADHD often struggle with self-control and managing their emotions. Meta cognitive strategies, such as mindfulness and self-talk, can help them monitor their emotional state and adjust their behavior in response to their feelings, reducing impulsivity.

3. **Developing planning and organizational skills**: Meta cognition can assist children in planning and prioritizing tasks, breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps, and setting goals. This can help improve their executive functioning, which is often impaired in ADHD.

4. **Promoting better study habits**: Meta cognitive strategies, such as summarizing information, questioning, and self-testing, can improve study habits and learning efficiency. By understanding how they learn best, kids with ADHD can tailor their study methods to suit their unique needs.

5. **Facilitating self-reflection**: Encouraging kids to reflect on their learning experiences can help them identify what strategies work for them and which ones do not. This reflection can lead to more effective studying and problem-solving in the future.

6. **Building self-esteem and confidence**: As children with ADHD become more adept at managing their cognitive processes, they may experience greater success in school and other activities. This can boost their self-esteem and confidence, leading to a more positive self-image.

7. **Increasing motivation**: When kids understand their own thought processes and how they can improve them, they may become more motivated to engage in learning and other tasks.

8. **Fostering independence**: By learning to regulate their own cognition, children with ADHD can become more independent learners and problem solvers, reducing the need for constant external support.

9. **Enhancing resilience**: Through meta cognitive practice, children learn to recognize when they are facing a challenge and how to approach it with the right strategies. This can help them develop resilience and a growth mindset, which is essential for dealing with setbacks and frustrations.

10. **Better social interactions**: Understanding one's own mental states can also help in understanding others' perspectives. This can lead to improved social skills and empathy.

To practice meta cognition with kids who have ADHD, parents and educators can:

- Teach them to recognize their thought patterns and emotions.

- Encourage them to ask themselves questions about their learning process ("What do I know about this topic?" "What do I need to learn next?" "How can I remember this information?").

- Help them develop strategies for staying on task, such as breaking down assignments into smaller parts or using a planner.

- Provide feedback that is focused on their effort and strategy use rather than just the end result.

- Model meta cognitive thinking by verbalizing your own thought processes ("I'm having trouble with this. Let's try a different approach.").

- Encourage them to self-evaluate their performance and set realistic goals.

- Teach relaxation and focus techniques, such as deep breathing and visualization, to help manage distractions.

Implementing meta cognitive strategies should be a gradual process, introduced one at a time and practiced consistently. It's important to provide plenty of encouragement and positive reinforcement as they develop these skills. Over time, these practices can lead to significant improvements in attention, learning, and self-regulation for kids with ADHD.

Meta cognition is `thinking about thinking`