attention span in seven-year-old girls ...

[violetbloom]

I honestly don't think I've ever been as cross and grumpy with dd as I have since she turned seven!

She's always been quite a well focused little girl with a great attention span and eye for detail in things like colouring in. She's just turned seven and a half now and she's changed so much. I wondered whether this was common to other children or if something's bothering her?

Now, if she goes to do something like colouring in, it's a total mess, all over teh place like sh can't be bothered to do it, can't focus or concentrate on it. She never sits still and her conversation veers from one thing to another in a slightly manic way.

Perhaps worst of all though, for me, is that she has become quite reckless. For the first time ever in her life, she dashed across a road without me and without looking the other day. She's been able to cope with road etiquette since she was 2. She's got more clumsy as well, knocking things over, getting food all over her face when she eats. All things which are really out of character for her although I know they are probably usual for some children.

Any ideas or common experiences?

Anyone?

any feelings on this ... ?

Your dd's current behaviour is the same as my dd's has always been. She has never concentrated, takes little care or pride in her work and has always been a bit reckless. We did notice that she improved slightly when she started taking omega3/6 but this effect seems to have worn off. No practical advice for you I am afraid. I suppose it is easier for me because mine has always been this way.

Does she find colouring in boring these days, but hasn't quite got the maturity to realise that she used to like it, but doesn't really now? My dd is just 8, and there are certainly things that she used to sit & do for hours that now wouldn't hold her attention for that long.

Running across the road - haven't had that sort of experience, but dd has become more physical in a sliding-down-the-banisters /climbing on the sofa sort of way in recent months. Have to say though that I have put that down to the fact that we used to live on a farm where she could play & climb in the haybarn when it was wet, whereas now she gets stuck inside more.

It's more general than just growing out of something like colouring in. She's just become reckless after having been quite a sensible, careful child. I want the old one back!