Anyone have a toddler with a really long attention span?

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So my 22-month-old DS is like any other toddler. Walked a bit on the late side, average level of spoken language, if not a bit behind most of his peers, but he has excellent receptive language. At toddler mornings, he is just like the other kids, scampering around, moving on to different toys after a few minutes.

But one thing that is different is his attention span, which seems far longer than any kid his age, particularly in regard to books and music. I started with reading hour at 12 months, and he was engrossed. At home we can get through six to ten books in a sitting (currently Mr. Men and Beatrix Potter). We've been to puppet shows and musical performances, aimed at 5- and 6-year-olds, ninety minutes long, and he sits engrossed the whole time.

Anyone else have a toddler like this? What other activities do you do with them? Did the long attention span last into childhood or was it just a phase?

Is he good at delayed gratification?

Hmmm. Well, he has a couple of music CDs that he loves. He will ask over and over for them, particularly in the car. Sometimes I will explain that the CDs need a rest but they'd love to play later, and sometimes this will result in tears, but he bounces back fairly quickly, and equally, he has days where he seems to have a ponder and accepts my explanation. I suppose it depends on the day.

My ds, although he is a bit older, 4.8. He has always had a very good concentration span.

He has recently had loads of assessments (he has dyspraxia) and for some of them, he had to sit and concentrate, following instructions for 90 minutes. He would do this without looking up once.

It's definitely beneficial for school.

I only ever read him one book at a time though, as my attention span can't cope with more then that!

My DD was just the same. Nursery queried ASD as she was so focused, and at the time hated messy play. We have been to the theatre, gone to parks on nature walks, rhyme time at the library, bought various craft things and an easel to give her lots to do.

At 4, she still has an unusually long attention span (eg: will take a stack of books into her room, make a 'nest' and sit and read alone for an hour at a time), but also like to climb things, jump in puddles, play with sand and mud etc etc.

I like to think she just really loves the things she chooses to do and therefore gets 'lost' in what she's doing!

I can't answer your second question, but I do have a toddler with a long attention span, it's great for these bookish type activities, and she really gets a lot out of iPad apps about colours, shapes, matching, counting and so on. The only other activity I can particularly recommend is stickers in magazines, the ones which have a clear indication of where the sticker is "meant" to go were very fascinating for my dd, she wasn't that interested in the "free stick" pictures where you could put them where you liked.

They queried ASD with my ds too, although I was fairly certain he didn't have it. Some of the dyspraxic traits he does have are similar to ASD traits.

An ability to concentrate well is definitely one of the good traits!

He has a very good memory for words and tunes, which is incredible considering his very severe speech problems.

i had a baby with an exceptional attention span. with us it was shape sorters, stacking cups. he could be left to play. it was marvelous.

at 7 he is the same but tends to only apply to things HE wants to do ie. not homework!

With puzzles, blocks etc. he sticks with it for about a minutes, makes a frustrated noise, and then off he toddles. So his attention span isn't broad across the board, but he is insistent about having books read to him multiple times etc. Right now he wants me to read him books relating to the alphabetDr Seuss ABC, over and over!and numbers. I suppose only time will tell if this sort of behaviour is indicative of ASD or whether he just really likes certain things. He has a great sense of humour, too, and thinks it's hilarious when I try to decipher his babble.

He sounds lovely

He is, kelda. He's such a delightful little boy (and this stage is a million times improved from the infant with silent reflux!).

Hello! Sorry for posting here but really wanting some more information on how your little guy is now?

My dd 15 months can pay attention to things for such an unusual amount of time. She can also free play for 45 minutes. Playing with one toy or opening books and turning pages, then moving on to a new activity. I observed and timed her.

Wondering how your son is and how his concentration skills have benefited him in life.

(Hope everyone is well and really sorry if something bad has happened and I’m dragging up the past)flowers]

Stumbled across this by clicking wrong link but anyway, a perspective from an older mother... DD2 had a very long attention span as a toddler with books, art/craft stuff, role play, jigsaws, construction toys etc. She is early teens now and still concentrates well. Top sets for all subjects (except IT and design technology) at her large comprehensive. Was viewed as very empathetic and kind by all primary school teachers, and secondary school subject teachers say universally what a good team worker and kind/polite girl she is. We are obviously very proud of her etc. Downsides were that toilet training was a nightmare as she'd be so focused on what she was doing that she would leave it too late to go to the loo. Her older sister was toilet trained in a week and I found the ongoing -over a long period of time - wet clothes and puddles from DD2 very stressful.. Long term concern is that she is a total perfectionist, and that is hard as she sets herself very high standards and is upset if she doesn't meet them. We are a family of "happy bodgers" rather than perfectionists, so lord knows where that comes from. I have never queried ASD with her, and as I teach in a special school (and have an MA in Education) it's something that is really on my radar. Other friends who teach have never suggested it either, and several of them have ASD experience and are blunt so I think that they would if they'd thought it a concern! So, hopefully a reassuring post about your toddler, who does sound a real joy to have around. Hope you enjoy his company as much as I enjoy both my DDs.

@Breastfeedingworries oops. Should have noted that this was a very old thread. However perhaps my post also gives you some information?

Thank you very much! Ive woke up and seen this and puts put me in a great mood! My dd sounds very much like your own, she’s also seemingly very tolerant and patient for her age. (Although could be the calm before the storm!) but I have this feeling because she can communicate really well, the tantrum stage won’t last long.

Interesting about potty training, because my dd always looks down the loo, pulls chain for me and is very interested in her own nappy I thought we’d be trying it this summer. Maybe she will struggle at it too. :/ food for thought.

Your dd sounds wonderful and wish both your dc all the best for their future.