Computer assisted training of attention and concentration with healthy children

The intention of this study was to analyze in how far a computer assisted t raining for brain damaged adults can be used for the practice with children . Healthy children of different ages were trained with this attention and c oncentration programme. The results should help to adapt the training progr amme for the use in brain damaged children. Age-groups differed significant ly in level of performance. Data showed that in comparison to Kindergarten- children, first-grade children showed a higher benefit from the training. I mplications for modifications of the training-programme are discussed. Othe r parameter of performance (reaction time, errors) in relation to school ag e provide clues to the distribution of structure of difficulty in the progr ammes. A questionnaire assessing motivation before and during the training, intelligibility of the task, feasibility of the computer and adequacy of t he test in children showed that sustained motivation can be achieved provid ed the training is used in an adaptive way. Thereby demotivating with too e asy tasks as well as frustration caused by difficult Tasks can be avoided. In general, there was good acceptance of the computerised cognitive trainin g. The presence of a therapist during every training session proved to be n ecessary in children under the age of 6 years.