Child development experts say that, on average, a four or five year old child should be able to stay focused on a particular activity two to five minutes times the year of their age. With this in mind, your child should be able to focus between four and twenty minutes depending on the task. If you find that your child is not able to focus on a given task at hand for very long, there may be some things you can try to increase attentiveness.
For one, it takes attention to give attention. If your own attention is scattered, then don’t expect your child to have laser focus. Close proximity with your child and clear instructions on the task are essential in making progress.
You can also decrease distractions by facing said diversion before it becomes a problem. If you sense hunger or fatigue, offer up a healthy snack. Nap time? Put that child to bed! You know that nothing will get done with multiple children in the room? Separate rooms for each child may be an option.
Ensure that your child is getting enough breaks. If your little one is getting restless, ask yourself when their last rest time was. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research review from 2010 showed that elementary aged children who took breaks from work over the course of the school day ended up concentrating better on schoolwork.
Last but not least, limit that electronic time. It’s almost becoming annoying how often the phrase, ‘limit electronics,’ is being used. Though it’s a good motto to have. The American Academy of pediatrics recommends a maximum of two hours of screen time a day.
Minnieland Academy provides early childhood education and care for infants through school-age children. We believe in learning in a loving environment.
Founded in 1972 by Chuck and Jackie Leopold, Minnieland Academy has provided Virginia families with the best early childhood education and care for over 40 years. We have over 60 schools that serve infants through school age children, helping them develop in a loving environment. We believe that learning is fun, and our Kid Steps curriculum provides age appropriate education at every level of their growth.
We welcome you to visit one of our schools and become part of the Minnieland Academy Family! https://www.minnieland.com/
