To support students who have attention difficulties, a teacher should start with which primary classroom strategy?

• A. Preferential seating near instruction
• B. Isolating the student in a separate room
• C. Providing no structure
• D. Relying solely on independent work

Answer: (A)

Placing a student with attention difficulties close to instruction uses proximity to boost focus and quick support. When the student sits near the teacher and the main learning area, distractions are easier to ignore, the teacher can provide timely prompts or cues, and monitoring on-task behavior becomes more natural. This early, simple adjustment creates a supportive environment for sustaining attention throughout lesson activities. Isolating the student in a separate room removes access to normal instructional cues and social interaction, which can increase disengagement. Providing no structure eliminates the predictable routines that help students regulate attention, and relying only on independent work neglects the guidance and feedback that often keep attention on task.