A young child has only begun to learn to concentrate and regulate their own activities. Children’s development is also very individual.
Executive functioning refers to the child’s ability to control their own behaviour, plan tasks and move from one task to another. In young children, this ability is not yet well developed, and it is common for children to need support in making decisions, keeping to time limits and completing tasks.
A child’s inability to concentrate and pay attention can manifest itself as the child being unable to maintain their concentration until the completion of their task, quickly moving on to the next thing or often forgetting their instructions. Such situations are common in toddlerhood, but they may also indicate that your child needs more support to develop their concentration skills.
Support your child’s concentration and executive functioning at home
- Help your child understand daily routines such as meals, play and going to bed. You can use visual aids, such as timers or pictures, to help your child understand the content of the routines and the passage of time.
- Give your child small, clear tasks that are appropriate for their developmental level, such as ‘put the toys in the box.’ Keep the instructions simple and ask the child to focus on one thing at a time.
- Ask the child to think about what they are going to do next. For example: ‘What will we do first, what next, and what will be the last thing?’ This will help the child develop their executive functioning and forethought.
- Games and play that require concentration, such as memory games and puzzles, can help the child practise attention and memory.
- Practise using pens and pencils or scissors together with the child. They will give your child practice in fine motor skills and concentration.
- Short and simple breathing exercises and calming moments can help the child regulate their emotions and improve their concentration.
- Pay attention to your own concentration on the child. Think about your own use of smart devices in everyday life – is your child getting enough uninterrupted time from you?
If regular and consistent practice at home does not help enough and concentration issues are making everyday life difficult, talk to a professional.
For example, you can talk about the situation with your maternity and child health clinic nurse or at the unit for social counselling for families with children. We will refer you to the right services for your situation.
