Ever wonder why to cant get 5 minutes peace when you have a toddler? The most obvious answer is due to their limited attention span.
It is important to have realistic expectations of your child’s attention span. Remember that many factors can also affect your toddler’s attention span. For example if they are sick, tired or hungry.
So how long can your child pay attention to one activity? This usually depends on their developmental age. Here is a basic guideline to help you understand the typical length of time a child can pay attention to an activity.
Ages 8 months – 15 months
Any new activity or event will distract your child, but they can usually attend for one minute or a little longer to a single toy or activity.
Ages 16 months – 19 months
Your child might be restless, but is able to sustain attention to one structured activity for 2-3 minutes. Your child might not be able to tolerate verbal or visual interference.
Ages 20 month – 24 months
Your child is still easily distracted by sounds, but can stay attentive to an activity either with or without an adult for 3-6 minutes.
Age 25 – 36 months
Your child can generally pay attention to a toy or other activity for 5-8 minutes. In addition, he/she can shift attention from an adult speaking to him/her and then back to what he/she was doing if he/she is prompted to focus her attention.
Ages 3 – 4 years
Your child can usually attend to an activity for 8-10 minutes, and then alternate his/her total attention between the adult talking to him/her and the activity he/she is doing independently.
With this in mind…..
I have a few interesting activities that may help to develop your child’s attention span and give you 5 minutes peace!
I have listed them in the order that have been most successful for me!
• Tubs of Water
Toddlers love water play. Give them some plastic containers and a few things that they can use to scoop or with, even a little funnel if you have one. Even try some matchbox cars to play with in the water. They will love it!
• Sticker Fun Another personal favourite because they cant really make too much mess or do any damage playing with stickers. You can buy pads of stickers from your local discount variety store. They usual come in bright colours or characters that your toddler will recognize. Give your toddler a piece of paper and some stickers, some them how to bend the corners to lift the stickers. Not only a great activity for developing their attention span, but also their fine motor skills.
• Stamps
Stamps and stamp pads are a great idea although be aware that it may not stay on the paper. You may have to supervise a little. I brought some smiley face and star stamps from officeworks, these are great for letting them stamp away on some paper, but also if they are well behaved you can stamp their hand or a rewards chart.
• Playdough
If you have read some of my other posts you will know I am a fan of playdough (in many forms). You can make your own and if you have a few cutters and rollers then let them go for it. If you are concerned about them eating it, make my edible version and your worry is gone!
Sorting objects
If you have some large buttons (only if they are past the stage of putting things in their mouths), mini pom poms, marbles even playing cards. Have your toddlers sort them and place them in separate containers. Even if they don’t continue sorting they will usually play with these items as they are interesting.
• Threading Beads
For toddlers this can be a frustrating activity, but it is interesting to watch their personalities with this one. Will they sit and not give up (for a while at least) or will they automatically decide it is too hard.
Get a pipe-cleaner and some beads (again be aware of little mouths), you can usually pick up some beads with large holes and your local haberdashery store. Show them how to thread them onto the pipe cleaner. Away they go.
• Sensory Tub
This may take a bit of pre-planning and preparation, but once you have it in a tub with a lid you can bring it out time and time again. Use things such as pasta, rice, lentils, pom-poms, cotton wool, anything that feels nice. Add some things to scoop and pour and you’re done. Toddlers love to explore with their hands and to feel different textures. Put a lid on it and keep it in the cupboard for next time.
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