Attention

Attention is a topic that often comes up when parents, teachers and psychologists discuss a child’s learning. It refers to focusing and processing information from the surrounding environment. Patterns of not paying attention, restlessness or being impulsive are common causes of difficulties at home, with peers or in the classroom.

There are 4 main types of attention; selective attention or focusing on one thing at a time, divided attention or a focus on two things at once, sustained attention or a focus for long periods and executive attention which is about completing steps to achieve a goal.

Researchers have studied how attention changes over our lifetime, especially our sustained attention. Saba is 5 years old. Her father lets her watch a cartoon while he makes lunch in the kitchen. He hopes that she will stay interested long enough for him to finish making the meal, but Saba is not able to stay focused for more than 15 minutes. Saba’s attention span is typical for her age.

Researchers tell us that in order to find a child's sustained attention we should take their age and multiply it by 2 or 3. Between the ages of 5 to 11, children’s attention span increases.

By the age of 12, they have a longer sustained attention of 30 or 45 minutes.