Redirection means changing the direction or focus of something, sending it toward a new target or goal. When a teacher redirects a distracted student, she guides their attention back to the lesson. When you redirect a conversation that's gotten off track, you steer it back to the original topic.

The word works literally too: a detour sign redirects traffic away from construction, sending cars down a different route. A mirror redirects light by bouncing it in a new direction.

Parents and teachers often use redirection as a gentle way to manage behavior. Instead of just saying “stop that,” they redirect a child's energy toward something better. If a toddler is banging on the furniture, a parent might redirect them to a toy drum. If students are arguing about whose turn it is, a teacher might redirect their focus to working together on a shared project.

Redirection recognizes that energy and attention are powerful forces. Sometimes you don't need to stop them completely; you just need to channel them somewhere more useful. When you feel yourself getting frustrated with a difficult problem, you might redirect your thoughts toward a different approach or take a break to redirect your energy into something active like shooting hoops.