Attention span of a 4 year old

[ishouldtryabiteachdayy]

My just turned 4 year old will go to school if it's happening in September. He has an attention span of about 2 minutes. Today he asked to play a lotto type orchard toys game, go it out and after 2 minutes he's rolling a round the floor finding something else to do. The game is fun and age appropriate but his concentration is lacking. I was fun and engaging of course !

The school asked us to teach them to write their name and surname before joining reception, using a capital and lower case. He just can't focus long enough to write his name and it's only a few letters long.

Is this unusual? What can I do to help him ?

Depends on the child. DS2 is also starting school in September and can concentrate but DS1 was much more variable.

@DelurkingAJ is your second older in terms of born earlier in the school year because DS2 surely can't be older than DS1

I want to put it down to my DS being summerborn, but I feel I need to try to help him. He's going to really struggle if he can't write 4 letters or even just copy/ trace 4 letters in one go

Sounds normal to be honest. During uni we were taught that children can focus for a maximum of twice their age in minutes (4 = 8 minutes). I've never heard of a school saying they should be able to write their name before they start reception! That's a big ask for a child so young.

Your DS hasn't had an opportunity to get used to focussing on a task in the way school would expect him to. I wouldn't worry too much! The best thing you can do is get a laminated print out of his name and get him to write over it with a whiteboard pen. Even if he only gets the first letter of his first name it's a good start!

You can start by writing his name on every surface you can. Use chalk ,paint brushes, ketchup on a plate, wet or dry sand. Every time there is way to make a mark you can write his name and show him. Encourage him to do the same .It should start to be come a part of him so that he wants to do it hmself . It may take some time and repetition or he may take to it and branch out on his own. Hide the crayons and felt pens when you arent watching or your walls will need a cleanup.

The school asked us to teach them to write their name and surname before joining reception

Bloody hell that's ridiculous. Being able to recognize their name is helpful, but actually being able to write their first name and surname isn't a normal expectation for a child prior to starting reception.

As for the concentration he's not unusual. Will he sit for longer when playing, listening to a story or doing an activity he really enjoys?

DD is in year 1 and can only just write her surname (it is an awkward one), I think school are asking a little bit too much there!

Yes, DS1 is now 7 and still finds it hard to concentrate sometimes.

But they were different as babies...DS2 could happily self entertain in his baby gym for about 30 minutes at 6 months, DS1...about two minutes.

Sorry, misread you. No, DS1 is autumn born and DS2 is spring born.

My ds is a summer born and started in September last year (he's still 4!). He's got good concentration when he's doing something he likes but not so great when he's doing something he doesn't lol! He couldn't write his name or any letters before he started and at first his writing progress seemed sooooo slow but recently something has clicked and his writing has improved loads and now he knows all his letters and can write words if I spell them out to him. And of course the better he gets at writing, the easier he finds it and the better he is at concentrating (he finds it more enjoyable now he's not finding it so hard).

The one thing I did do ahead of school was ramp up colouring activities. Just to improve his own control and get him used to holding a pen / pencil. So maybe try that?

I wouldn't worry too much though. They go to school to learn and some learn quicker than others but they all seem to even out after a while.

Two friend children are in reception at the same school and for home schooling they've been having to write in sentences with capitals and punctuation during lockdown. It's a normal infant school and I can't see my DS being able to do this in a years time.

My DS is my first so I have no idea what happens at school. I suppose my biggest fear is school isn't on in September and if I leave the name writing then I'll have it even harder. Sadly he hates colouring so maybe he isn't ready to write.