Preschoolers' Attention Span Typically Short

Is your child easily distracted, overly active or impulsive?

Parents often want to diagnose their child with ADHD when seeing these types of behaviors. However, young children often will not be diagnosed with ADHD unless their distractibility or high level of activity has an impact on their daily life.

This may include their behavior causing him/her to have difficulty with learning, forming friendships or other activities. Your child would also have to show several symptoms in different settings (ex. home, school, church, extra-curricular activities, etc.).

In reality, a short attention span is part of typical development in preschoolers. The average attention span is two to three minutes for each year of the age of the child (for example, a three-year-old has an attention span of six to nine minutes, a four-year-old can pay attention for eight to 12 minutes, etc.) Not only is his or her attention span short, you will also see variations in your child’s attention span throughout the day (morning, afternoon, evening, etc.).

If you want to strengthen your child’s focus and concentration, check out these tips for improving attention span:

To get your child’s attention, you must give them your attention.

Make eye contact with your child when talking.

Break down tasks into smaller parts by giving simple two to three step instructions.

Spice tasks up and make them fun (ex. Play a game and see who can pick up the toys the fastest).

Brain breaks and movement allow children to regain focus.

Build brain power/concentration by encouraging activities that require thinking, such as doing a puzzle.

Eliminate hunger and fatigue. When basic needs are not met (physical, mental and emotional), it’s hard for a child to focus.

Find your child’s interest by exposing him or her to new opportunities.

Praise effort!

Be observant and know when your child is getting frustrated or when to seek help.

At any time you are concerned about your child’s behavior or attention span, please reach out to your child’s classroom teachers, Head Start Mental Health Consultant, Donna Jezewski, at djezewski@lccaa.net or your child’s physician.