INCREASING ATTENTION SPAN
Attention one of the keys to learning anything. When children have a very short attention span they may have diifficulty learning to think, play, communicate and talk.
Increasing Attention Span
Using a timer
-present an activity (see examples below)
-set timer for 1 minute
-Tell the child will play for 1 minute
-Play for 1 minute
-Clean up/put away toys (may be as simple as putting pieces back in a box. If it is a puzzle the activity is only complete when all pieces are back in puzzle tray or if it is an interlocking puzzle all pieces are separated and back in the box.
-Tommorrow repeat but aim for 2 minutes. Each day or each week increase the time by 30 seconds or 1 minute or more if tolerated.
-The key is to stop before frustration sets in. You can allow a child to get up do jumping jacks or another physical activity and he/she may be able to get back to the structured activity.
Sample Activities:
Blocks
Puzzles
Simple short book
Drawing
Looking at pictures (photos of familiar people or objects)
Barn set/animals
Doll House
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