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Take Action on Distraction
Putting Neuroscience into Practice (Related to this series)
- Narrator
- Sam Wass
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 10 September 2026
- Run Time
- 4 hours 20 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
*ERA Early Years Resource Winner, 2026 and Nursery World Awards Professional Book of the Year Winner, 2025*
From leading early years neuroscientist Prof Sam Wass and psychology and education expert Dr Gemma Goldenberg come the keys to understanding attention and how it works to help children improve and self-regulate their focus. Take action on distraction and never battle for children's attention again!
- Has a child ever asked you a question that you explained three minutes ago?
- Do you work with children who fidget constantly or stare into space and you're unsure if they're listening?
- Do children in your setting flit from one activity to another without persisting at anything?
If this sounds familiar to you then you're in the right place. Written by leading early years scientists Professor Sam Wass and Dr Gemma Goldenberg, Take Action on Distraction helps you understand how attention works and shows you how you can work positively with all children in early years and primary settings to improve their focus and concentration. Discover accessible insights from research, practical tips for your classroom and reflective questions to discuss with children and colleagues, all helping you to create a calmer, happier and more effective learning environment.
I began reading this book in the morning and could not put it down until I had finished the final chapter! Essential reading for anyone intent on creating a positive learning environment for children to help them focus and learn. Dr Neil Leitch, OBE, FRSA - Chief Executive, Early Years Alliance
Critics Review
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I began reading this book in the morning and could not put it down until I had finished the final chapter! Essential reading for anyone intent on creating a positive learning environment for children to help them focus and learn.
OBE, FRSA - Chief Executive, Early Years Alliance
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This book – both evidence led and imminently practical - is a vital read for all those developing their knowledge and understanding of the vital processes required to optimise child’s learning and development.
ECE Consultant and Adviser, X @jan_dubiel
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A fascinating read, this book combines research, practical tips and reflection opportunities. It calls for us to think differently about how children pay attention and develop strategies which are ‘just right’ for our children.
National Day Nurseries Association
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A really compelling, evidence-rich, and accessible book. This was one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
Alex Quigley, education consultant and author
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You can read this book in a single sitting and come away with a short list of practical action points. However, the book’s easy style doesn’t compromise its fidelity to high-quality research evidence, and the authors are not afraid to highlight areas of uncertainty.
It’s a book that turns the insights of researchers like Dehaene into classroom-ready advice. I particularly like the discussion of how all children can benefit from reduced visual and auditory clutter, and increased opportunities for repetition and access to learning outdoors.
Goldenberg and Wass additionally make the point that some children also need tailored sensory and environmental adjustments. As they put it, “some flowers need different soil”.Julian Grenier
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Invaluable reading for teachers of early years and primary settings, this book offers a highly accessible and comprehensive guide to improving children's attention and concentration.
Nursery World, Early Years Education Supplement Professional Book Review
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Professor Sam Wass and Dr Gemma Goldenberg
- Narrator
- Sam Wass
- Duration
- 4 hours 20 minutes
- Release Date
- 10 September 2026
- ISBN
- 9781801999557
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Teaching skills and techniques, Pre-school and kindergarten, Teachers’ classroom resources and material
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents Take Action on Distraction: The definitive guide to improving attention and focus in the Early Years and Key Stage One by Professor Sam Wass and Dr Gemma Goldenberg, read by Professor Sam Wass *ERA Early Years Resource Winner, 2026 and Nursery World Awards Professional Book of the Year Winner, 2025*From leading early years neuroscientist Prof Sam Wass and psychology and education expert Dr Gemma Goldenberg come the keys to understanding attention and how it works to help children improve and self-regulate their focus. Take action on distraction and never battle for children's attention again!- Has a child ever asked you a question that you explained three minutes ago?- Do you work with children who fidget constantly or stare into space and you're unsure if they're listening?- Do children in your setting flit from one activity to another without persisting at anything?If this sounds familiar to you then you're in the right place. Written by leading early years scientists Professor Sam Wass and Dr Gemma Goldenberg, Take Action on Distraction helps you understand how attention works and shows you how you can work positively with all children in early years and primary settings to improve their focus and concentration. Discover accessible insights from research, practical tips for your classroom and reflective questions to discuss with children and colleagues, all helping you to create a calmer, happier and more effective learning environment.I began reading this book in the morning and could not put it down until I had finished the final chapter! Essential reading for anyone intent on creating a positive learning environment for children to help them focus and learn. Dr Neil Leitch, OBE, FRSA - Chief Executive, Early Years Alliance
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