If you have a 3 year old, could you answer a question for ds, please?

[BertrandRussell]

How long roughly would you expect her to stay focussed on an engaging story or a song? Would she join in with actions? And what do you think is the longest time she would enjoy a session with a song, a story, an activity and a bit of free play before, as he put it, anarchy took over?

Rhyme time at the library is 20 minutes. DS2 (3.4) is either in full performance mode and will sing and do the actions to every song or lies in a ball on the floor saying ‘no songs, me no sing!’. There appears to be no rhyme or reason to which you get.

@BubblesBuddy - I agree. What ds has found is that it’s the parents he has to work with more- he sits there with his musical instruments and has to reassure parents that they are there for the children to play with and have a go. Neither the parents nor the children seem to think that they are entitled to join in.

About 20mins

stories - 5 and a half minutes (but only if silly voices are used)
maybe half a minute longer if tired and cuddled up.

Actually quite a while, we can read about 3 long-ish books in a row.
The longest I’ve seen concentrating on one task was about 50 minutes but I wouldn’t say that’s typical day to day. But 20-30 mins is doable.

Start to finish - my 3yo will sit for hours and join in with enthusiasm. This isn't the norm though. We took her to the cinema when she was 2 and she sat and watched and entire film without moving. She's the total opposite when walking though - will bolt at any given chance.

My now 7yo at that age just wouldn't. Her attention span was so small and she would manage a film for about 5 mins, a book from start to finish (but just the one) and wasn't interested in focusing on set tasks. However she's since been diagnosed with dyspraxia.

For us it's opposite ends of the spectrum.

I know my DDs are not three any more but memories of them doing music and movement has stayed with me! Tambourines, triangles, bells and maracas were all used enthusiastically. Plus a loud voice from eldest - going to see her in a concert tomorrow night at age 26!

My baby sitter from nursery went on to work at a family centre. She used to tell me how the hardest work was the parents! It’s true that some parents find it hard to educate their young DC and don’t feel comfortable joining in. It’s not what they are used to and don’t have confidence. It’s also a mistake to think the parents are all confident readers and will read to DC every day. It’s great your DS is having a go though! Well done him.

something in 5 min chunks would work well I think. we went to a baby singing thing when dc were little.
they used some different instruments, rhymes, silk cloths. some songs, short story/picture book, rhymes.

Has he got space for a parachute? Parents have to get involved then to help keep it up.

I often find that my DD's attention span (40 months) is influenced by the children around her; if other children are engaged in an activity she follows suit. Aside from dancing and swimming all of the other activities we go to, she will want to be supported by me initially and then will gain in confidence.

Her average attention span is around 15 mins or so, but she will happily colour in, or watch a film for a longer. Lego and playing with her babies holds her attention for about 30 minutes.

However get her outside tramping through the woods, and we struggle to get her back to the car (She'll look for fairy sticks for hours)!

Speaking from experience, about 10-15 minutes.
Maybe a bit longer for something they really loved, or that was full on, interactive and engaging - changing lots etc.

Something he loves? Up to three hours. I've played Brio for over two hours, board games for three, Peppa Pig for two and a half. He'll read books for over an hour.
He's unusual though.

I babysat a friend's child recently, and he was ... Not like that. More in the 15 minutes range, which rather threw me.