Q: My three and a half years old son weighs 14 kg. Five months back, he started getting afraid of the sound of the pressure cooker whistle. We consulted a doctor who told us that he has symptoms of ADHD but not exactly the same. We immediately took him for counselling, after which he has completely gotten over the pressure cooker whistle noise. He is a very attentive child, recites rhymes well, recognises most of the alphabets, numbers, etc. but he does not sit in one place. How can I improve my son’s concentration level? We have been working on lot of puzzles - paper ones, wood ones, CDs like ABCD etc. He loves a lot and asks us to play it for him. He likes rhymes too.

A:Your child seems to have several good points, like his interest in music and games and his abilities with language etc. The therapy seems to have suited him too. Now why are you worrying about making him into a perfect child? We all have strengths and weaknesses; why not give him the same freedom?

Normally children under 4 have short spans of attention. Change the activity, the location, the nature of the task. Stop seeing everything as something that you should change for the better. Provide an environment that is stimulating, has diversity and choice. Be available to your child, but do not comment on everything he does. Children need free time, literally, time free from overwhelming parental supervision.

Keep in touch with the therapist who helped your child get rid of his fears.