Connected at Brookwood: Week Two

 Connected at Brookwood: Week Two

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🚨 The Notification Problem: As students settle into homework routines, many parents are noticing that constant interruptions from devices make sustained work difficult. Research shows that notifications specifically designed to capture attention—those red dots, buzzes, and pop-ups—can significantly impact a student's ability to concentrate, even when they don't respond to every alert.

Students consistently report that notifications are a major source of distraction during homework time. Even when they try to ignore them, the mental effort required to resist checking their device uses cognitive resources that could otherwise be directed toward their schoolwork.

🧠  The "Brain Drain" Effect: Recent studies indicate that simply having a phone nearby—even when turned off—can reduce available cognitive capacity. But the effect is much more pronounced when notifications are active. Each alert creates what researchers call a "cognitive interruption" that goes beyond the few seconds it takes to check the notification.

📴  A Simple Solution: Work with your child to turn off non-essential notifications during homework time. Most apps that send frequent alerts—social media, games, entertainment platforms—don't require immediate attention. Keep notifications for actual people (family texts and calls) but consider disabling them for apps designed to capture attention.

Most devices also offer "Focus" or "Do Not Disturb" modes that can automatically limit notifications during study hours, which many families find helpful for creating consistent homework routines.

- David Saunders

Director of Innovation, Changemaking, & Technology and Advisor