Nursery World - Fully engaged (1)

<P> When children are really concentrating they're unlikely to be sitting still and listening, writes <B> Penny Tassoni </B> </P>

When children are really concentrating they're unlikely to be sitting still and listening, writes Penny Tassoni

Being able to deliberately focus our attention on one activity is an important skill. It is often what is meant when we talk about 'concentration', although psychologists often refer to this as focal or selective attention.

Most practitioners find that children's ability to focus their attention is quite variable. In some situations babies and children appear to concentrate for long periods of time, while in others they are quickly distracted. For some parents, their child's apparent lack of concentration becomes a source of concern, particularly in the run-up to starting school, and they reveal their anxiety in remarks such as 'he won't stay still' or 'she is such a fidget'.

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