As adults, it’s common to make throwaway comments regarding our attention span. For example, if you can’t be bothered to finish a book or a film, you’ll blame it on your attention span. Or if you drift off during a boring conversation with your partner, you might do the same! Of course, we all laugh, make a joke and move on, but when it comes to our preschoolers, the topic of attention spans is looked at a little more closely.

Children, especially young children, are at a point in their development when concentrating is particularly important. They are constantly being exposed to new images, sounds, smells and other such information. Yet absorbing new information and learning new things will prove impossible if their attention span isn’t switched on and working hard!

So, let’s look at the topic of attention spans a bit more closely, and understand what you, as a parent, can do to boost your own child’s attention span.

How can I recognise the state of my child’s attention span?

Understanding whether your child has a good attention span or not might not be something that has immediately occurred to you when spending time around them. However, if you observe them closely, it won’t be hard to recognise. Your child will certainly have been giving you clues, whether you have realised it or not!

For example, think back to the times when your child has been engaged in an activity with their friends. Did you see them actively participate? Or perhaps a time when you were talking to them about something - did they engage with you when you were talking, and for how long? Or how about a time when you asked them to do something, like complete a chore? Did they respond properly to your instruction, and carry out the task as asked?

All of these examples are good indicators of the state of your child’s attention span. If you happen to notice that they are showing signs of their attention span being short, then there are lots of ways you can strengthen it and encourage better concentration.

How can I help my child strengthen their attention span?

Now that you understand more about the importance of your child’s attention span, here are some tips that you can follow to help them improve it:

Make their environment as conducive to concentration as possible. Children are heavily affected by the environment that surrounds them. Factors such as bright lights, uncomfortable colours, and loud or irritating sounds can all contribute to a poor attention span. Therefore, spend some time analysing the environment. What does it look like? What does it smell like? What sounds can you hear?

On the topic of sound, paying particular attention to what sounds are in your child’s environment will have a big impact on their attention span. Try to provide a quiet place where your child can get away from any disturbing, distracting or stimulating noise, as this will really help them to concentrate better. Remember, your child may or may not be more sensitive than noise to others, so take this possibility into consideration when analysing their environment.

Children respond well to repetition. Therefore, try to systematically reinforce your child’s attention to activities for increasingly longer times. This way, they will shape their attention span and slowly learn to concentrate better over time.

Regardless of how good your child is at concentrating, if the stimulus or content they are looking at is a bit boring, then the chances are they will lose interest pretty quickly. When providing them with materials, media, and activities to look at, try to make sure that they will excite your child in some way. Remember, when a child is genuinely interested in something, they’re much more likely to engage and try their best to concentrate on it!

Children respond well to praise, it gives them the motivation to try harder in the activity or task they are engaged in. Therefore, when you feel it is appropriate, don’t be shy to tell them how well they are doing, clap for them, or give them a hug.

Top Tip: Although this information is completely valid for many children, it won’t apply to all. Remember that there are certain children that suffer with a condition called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which affects their ability to concentrate properly in many situations. If you think that your child has ADHD, contact your doctor for medical advice.

How can I improve my preschooler’s attention span?

Get your preschooler to focus with Unii’s tips.