(905) 946-1181‘Stop fidgeting and focus on your homework!’
Does this quote sound similar to you? If so, then relax, you’re not the only one who is going through this phase. Most parents and even preschool teachers experience situations where toddlers focus on multiple things, except their preschool assignments while studying.
Young children are naturally energetic and exuberant. You cannot expect them to concentrate on one thing without getting distracted.Playing with a pencil and looking here and there are all common in children with shorter attention spans. Don’t lose patience and follow the five wonderful tips mentioned in this blog post. These tips will help increase your little one’s attention span.
| QUICK FACT |
| The average attention span of children can vary according to age. The estimated attention span is 7 minutes for 2-year-olds, 9 minutes for 3-year-olds, 12 minutes for 4-year-olds and 14 minutes for 5-year-olds. It can increase two to five minutes per year old. |
Play Focus Games and Exercises
Children learn through play as it stimulates their mind and develops problem-solving abilities. That’s why playing games and exercises designed to build concentration can be effective in teaching your child to focus. Here are some of the activities to engage your child.
- Play thinking games such as crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and This will train and strengthen your little one’s ability to focus as he/she will pay attention to words, pictures and numbers through the games
- Challenge your child in a ‘sitting’ game where you will compete with your kid to find out who can sit in a chair without moving or fidgeting for more time. An alternative to this game is ‘statue’.
- Sequencing activities such as following recipes, instructions, setting the table or putting things in alphabetical order are great for kids who have concentration difficulties.
Keep Gadgets Away
Smartphones, laptops are other similar gadgets are the prime culprit in hijacking attention spans.In recent times, children learn to use smartphones and other gadgets at a very early age. The continuous change of tasks in these electronic accessories starts training their brain where it learns how to switch from one task to another and so on. Gradually, it becomes a habit which negatively affects attentiveness and increases distraction. The most advantageous approach to avoid gadgets from decreasing attention span is to keep away smartphones, tablets and computers from your children and encourage them to play with toys instead.
Make Things Interesting for Your Child
Children often fidget and lose attention when they don’t find anything interesting. Well, finishing homework or learning how to write letters can be boring for little ones. But transforming something dull into a fun activity through creativity is a good idea to keep children engaged. For example,
- use colourful pencils to write,
- shape letters and numbers with Play-Doh and
- use colourful squares and triangles to learn shapes.
Also, using block letters to learn spellings will make things exciting for your kid and he/she will enjoy learning without distraction.
Include Regular Breaks
If you expect a child to sit on a hard chair and study continuously for hours, then you’re absolutely wrong. Children have unmatchable energy and as a parent, it is your responsibility to channel it in the right direction with smart steps. Including regular breaks in between the study sessions will keep your toddler’s energy level up and attention intact. Incorporate a quick stretching session, indoor or outdoor play times or jumping jacks will do wonders to your little one’s ability to concentrate on a task.
Feed Them Healthy Food
It is no brainer that eating healthy food is the key to higher concentration level because diet and behaviour go hand in hand. If your child is struggling to stay alert, change the way they eat. Include healthy food items such as walnuts (Omega 3s), seafood (zinc), spinach (iron), citrus fruits (vitamin C), bananas (magnesium) and peanut butter (protein) in your kid’s diet. If your child is allergic to any of the said food items, consult a dietician to know the bet kid-friendly alternatives to these foods.
Being a parent to a child with shorter attention span is a daunting task. You have to constantly struggle to keep him/her attentive during the study session and other important tasks as well. But implementing the above-listed ways can help your child in focussing better and longer on a task. If you notice significant improvements, then motivate your little one with rewards and share your feedback with us.