Attention span has long been a topic regarding the relationship between children and learning. As the years have passed, technology has been at the forefront of our everyday lives. This has caused the concern for inattentiveness to become even more of an issue. Children are constantly presented with new and exciting things that catch their attention, so it’s up to adults to find ways to teach new information in an entertaining way. This approach will maintain the interest level of the child so that learning can be cultivated.
Attention span refers to the time a person can focus on an activity. As most people know, this varies depending on the age. The general rule is 2-5 minutes per year of age is how long a child should be able to pay attention. However, to take it a step further, Neal Rojas, a developmental behavior pediatrician, states, “Attention span is elastic.” He refers to everything from the time of day that attention to a specific task is required to actual cognitive abilities and how a child interprets sensory input. Knowing that attention span will vary throughout the day can help adults tune in and make the necessary adjustments or plans to help them be as successful as possible.
When children are younger, adults make everything fun and exciting to learn. However, as children get older, much of the fun is taken away, and learning becomes a mundane task. Expectations go up; enjoyment goes down. Adults must remember that children learn best through play…not just younger ones, but all ages. The SKILLZ Child Development Centers use the following tips to keep children engaged in the learning process, increasing attention span and bringing a newfound excitement to learning again.
When it comes to attention span, adults must be knowledgeable of what normal expectations are for children. Making simple adjustments to any learning environment can significantly boost a child’s attention span and make learning fun again.
Author: Jennifer Salama of Skillz Worldwide. Jennifer is a 4th-degree black belt and has been training in martial arts since 2001. She has a Masters’s Degree in Child Psychology. She has embraced the SKILLZ curriculum because of its focus on child development and using martial arts as a vehicle to develop the child as a whole.
About our Martial Arts programs
Superhero toddler program, martial arts for kids 3 to 4 years old! Our Early SKILLZ program hones in motor skills while keeping them laughing and smiling.
The perfect blend of focus drills and fun! Basic SKILLZ is like a mini life hack in martial arts for kids 5 to 6 years old.
Turn Up the Grit! Core SKILLZ, martial arts for kids 7 to 9 years old, isn’t just kicks & punches. It fills your child with discipline, focus, respect, and a can-do attitude.
Tackle teen & pre-teen challenges with Extreme SKILLZ! Here in our martial arts for kids 10 to 14 years old, we get them strong, active, & full of focus, confidence, and good decision-making skills.
Just the right blend of self-defense and education. Our kids Hyper Pro/Fight club program in Passaic County gives your child the tools they need to protect themselves with self-defense, but it also equips them with incredible life skills like focus, discipline, respect, and more! Watch them improve in school, too- it’s really awesome.
Birthday Parties in Passaic County
Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Birthday parties should be fun, not a ton of work! Enjoy watching your kids have fun!
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