Attention spans and realistic expectations

See Melissa Idelson, OTR/L's video on Attention spans and realistic expectations...
Attention spans and realistic expectations | Kids in the House
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Attention spans and realistic expectations

Comment
50
Like
50
Transcription: 
A baby that is 8 - 15 months old we would expect that they're easily distracted. But they would be able to hold their attention for one minute or longer and typically for a preferred activity or an activity that involves a mother or father or grandparent, someone that they are connected to and enjoy the experience. A child of 16 - 19 months, we would expect that they could hold their attention to a preferred activity for 2 - 3 minutes. Once again, they can be easily distracted, so when you're doing the activity with the child, make sure that there is engagement from a person that they are connected to and enjoying the experience. By the time your child is two-years old, we would expect that they would be able to play alone with an activity that provides them with enjoyment for 3 - 6 minutes alone. They are easily distracted by noise and change in the environment, but if it's a preferred activity we would like to see 3 - 6 minutes of attention. When a child is three-years old, they can typically participate in a preferred activity for up to 8 minutes. They can also start to engage in a back and forth conversation and a shared experience during that activity. They may be distracted by the environment around them, but they will bring their attention back to the activity and participate for up to 8 minutes. By four-years old, the child is attending for up to 10 minutes. You will se independent play, creative play, and also engagement with an adult or with a peer, but staying with the activity for up to 10 minutes.

See Melissa Idelson, OTR/L's video on Attention spans and realistic expectations...

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Melissa Idelson, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Melissa Idelson, OTR/L has been working as a Sensory Integration trained Occupational Therapist for 22 years. She is the Founder and Director of the Child Success Center (CSC) in Santa Monica CA. CSC recognizes that development and learning challenges are multi-faceted. They offer Occupational, Speech-Language, and Educational Therapy to children birth through 13 years of age; tailored to meet each child and families individual needs. As a child development specialist, Melissa guides parent and child through the development and/or learning process. Her team of highly skilled therapists at CSC know how to put the pieces of the puzzle together to complete each child¹s unique picture, and design a therapy program that will enable them to thrive. Melissa Idelson and the CSC team offer assessment and treatment, along with parent and teacher education for early intervention. 

More Parenting Videos from Melissa Idelson, OTR/L >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter