Description

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Julie Tourigny, pediatric occupational therapist and author of Calm and in Control, Organized and Engaged, and her upcoming release, Alert and Attentive. Together, they explore why attention is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be taught and strengthened in early childhood. Dr. Tourigny shares practical strategies educators and caregivers can use to help children regulate emotions, sustain focus, and thrive in both learning and play.

Listeners will learn:

• Why attention and focus are developmental skills, not personality traits.
• How self-regulation and emotional control directly affect a child's ability to concentrate.
• Simple classroom environment adjustments that reduce distractions and support focus.
• The power of games, play, and routines in building attention span.
• How screen time has shifted children's ability to self-regulate and why boredom is essential for growth.