A child’s attention span is the ability they have to pay attention to someone or something while ignoring other interesting (and sometimes not-so-interesting) things that are happening at the same time: a dog barking in the background, a nearby object, or a fly. These can all be distracting factors through a child’s perspective and it is completely normal since it corresponds to the way their brain works during certain stages of child development.
Attention span in children varies by age because, as a child grows, so does their ability to remain focused on a certain task. That is why it is more difficult to maintain the attention of a young toddler than that of an older preschooler: the average attention span for a 4-year-old preschooler is between 8-12 minutes, while at 5-6 years old, it will stretch between 12-18 minutes. It may sound like a big progress and it sure is, but it is still little when you think about how much time it usually takes children to perform certain tasks. And considering how much time classroom activities take, this can be a challenge during the teaching practices.
Although a kid’s attention span depends -among other things- on their age, it certainly can be improved by engaging in activities that foster concentration skills. And you may ask why it is important for a parent, caregiver, or educator to contribute to a child’s attention skills. Well, maintaining focus helps children develop some executive functions like problem-solving, working memory, engaging in extended-period activities, etc., all of them related to the learning process and their autonomy’s development. Fostering concentration skills then has an impact on academic success and emotional and social development, making it worth working on with our children.
But what can we do to achieve this? Below are some effective activities designed to boost attention in kids.
1. “I’m riding a truck that is full of…”
This memory game is an entertaining and didactic way of practicing vocabulary with your children while also enhancing their memory and concentration skills. How do you play it? It is quite easy: you start with the phrase “I’m riding a truck that is full of” and you pick a category of objects, like fruits, for example. “I’m riding a truck that is full of fruits, it has” and you add an item of this category, like bananas. Your child has to recite the same sentence “I’m riding a truck that is full of fruits, it has bananas and”, and he or she then adds another fruit. It keeps going like this, consequently, adding more and more items to the list until someone forgets one of the aforementioned items. Then you can start again with another category, like toys, for example.
As you see, this is a great way of practicing focus and memory skills.
2. Puzzles and brain games
These are excellent tools to enhance a child’s focus and problem-solving skills. Activities like jigsaw puzzles, memory cards, and crossword puzzles require sustained concentration to complete, helping children practice focusing for extended periods while also being entertaining! These games challenge their ability to analyze, think critically, and stay focused on achieving a specific goal.
Memory matching card games, for example, encourage children to focus on remembering the location of different cards. As they try to match pairs, they sharpen both their short-term memory and their ability to concentrate on the task at hand.
3. “I spy with my little eye”
We have all played the classical game of “I spy with my little eye”, but have you ever wondered about the benefits of this didactic activity? It is an excellent way for a kid to practice their observation skills while maintaining focus on the objects they want to spot or they are trying someone else to guess. As a parent, you can play it on the car ride from school, and make it a habit for you and your children to spot objects in the landscape. “I see something red”, “I see something with leaves”. It brings memories, huh?
4. Painting, drawing, and crafting
Creative activities like coloring, painting, drawing, and crafting require children to focus on details and complete artistic projects from start to finish. Creating something of their own also gives them a sense of accomplishment, which encourages sustained focus on similar tasks in the future.
Coloring inside the lines of a drawing, for example, promotes attention to detail and hand-eye coordination. Cutting out shapes or creating collages requires concentration on a specific task while also allowing for creative expression. These creative projects not only enhance focus but also promote problem-solving and decision-making skills.
5. Physical exercise and yoga
Physical activity is crucial for cognitive development and attention regulation. Exercise helps children expend energy and releases feel-good chemicals like endorphins that enhance mood and concentration. Incorporating physical exercises such as jumping rope, running, or playing sports can help channel a child’s energy positively and prepare them for tasks that require focused attention.
Yoga is another excellent practice for improving attention. Children’s yoga encourages body awareness, coordination, and focus. Through different yoga poses, they learn to follow instructions and maintain focus on their body movements (remember that internalizing instructional learning is quite important for enhancing a child’s attention span).
6. Board games and structured play
Board games like “Chess,” “Dominoes,” “Monopoly,” or “Pictionary” require children to focus on strategy and follow the rules, which helps develop attention skills. These games often involve multiple steps, requiring kids to plan ahead, remember rules, and stay engaged for longer periods of time.
Structured play, in general, is helpful because it sets boundaries and goals, encouraging kids to focus on completing tasks. Cooperative games, where they must work with others, also promote attention and patience, as children need to listen carefully to their teammates and focus on the shared goal.
7. Learning to play an instrument
Learning to play a musical instrument can have a significant impact on a child’s attention span. Music requires children to focus on timing, notes, and coordination between their hands and fingers. Whether they are playing the piano, drumming, or playing the flute, which are commonly the most popular instruments for young children to learn, music helps develop concentration and improves cognitive skills.
Now you know, by making these activities a regular part of their routine, children can develop longer attention spans, which will benefit them in school, social interactions, and daily life.
