Working as a Teacher for Preschooler it is very difficult to get and keep their focus. We have to constantly remind them that we must have “listening ears”. We recently had Home Visits and with a large number of children going to Kindergarten, we were emphasizing the need for the children to develop a longer attention span. We have a little girl that is going to Kindergarten next year and she has yet to develop her attention span. She cannot sit still for more than 5 minutes and she would not even attempt to write her name or complete art crafts. When we spoke to her mom about it she simply replied: “she doesn’t sit here either, I don’t know what to do”. As surprising as this may sound, some parents do not know how this might affect their children in the coming years. Kindergarten now requires the children to sit for at least an hour to complete an activity and at least 10-20 minutes to look at book individually and quietly. It is important for parents to take time and sit with their children to help them develop this ability.

In the article presented by Dr. Beatrice Tauber Prior, she explains techniques to help our children engage on more activities that lengthen their attention ability. There are many children that have been diagnosed with ADHD and some that maybe their parents and teachers believe could have this disorder, just need some more time on this special activities. As explained in the article, How to lengthen your Child’s Attention Span, persistence and consistency is the key to help them. Parents can begin where there children is now and move on from there. Children must be part of “sit-down” activities with their parents such as puzzles, reading, and crafts. The article explains that whatever activity it is the parents must seek to spend at least 20 uninterrupted minutes a day. It  is important that the child see his/her parent engage in the activity as much as them. Some parents just think that they can sit their child with a puzzle and help them half way through it and go do something else. The child needs to see that the parent is equally committed to the activity and that they won’t get up and leave. Modeling is very important. Any dstractions must be eliminated as well, such as other toys, cell phones, and TV. The time to sit and do activities must be separated for that sole purpose. The one I believe is very important for parents to know is the minimization of TV time. I didn’t think this was so common among children until I began to work as a Teacher. I ask my kids what they did that night and all they say is “watch Netflix”. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends NO TV TIME for children younger than 2 years, and no more than 2 hours for older children. As explained in the article, “research links early television exposure to subsequent attention problems in children. The effect of the TV on children is not only when they are sitting in front of it, but even the TV playing in the background can negatively affect them.

References:

References:

Prior, B. T., PsyD. (2013, Mar). How to lengthen your child’s attention span. Vibrant Life, 29, 14-15. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1316094683?accountid=13158