Early years practitioners seem increasingly concerned about children's inability to focus and engage deeply in activities. We are hearing that children jump from one task to another, forget instructions almost immediately, and struggle to sit still during adult-led sessions.
Many people blame technology, suggesting that children are used to fast-paced media, making everything else seem boring in comparison. But have modern children really lost the skill of paying attention?
There is a lot that recent neuroscience has taught us about how young children's brains work. We know that in many cases, children are actually paying too much attention, not too little, and we also now know that a young child's attention is very different from an adult's. Understanding this can help us view attention differently.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
