Tell me about your 2.5- 3 yr old concentration plse

[Clare123]

I have posted on here several times how worried I get about my son. I go through months where I think he probably does not have adhd and then I notice something and then I start worrying all over again.

Basically, he hardly ever concentrates on anything for that long. He flitters from one toy to another - unless it's something he really likes, like his car. He can concentrate, for example he loves painting pottery and will do that for a reasonable amount of time. However, he is not interested at all in any sort of colouring/painting/ arty stuff and will spend all of 3 mins doing it before he goes to something else.

He also disrupts other children. If they are playing, he will ruin their games. I find this really odd and very annoying!

I know all children are different but I would be interested to know what your 2.5- 3 yr old can do? Or if this sounds at odds with them.

From your post, I think you don't need to worry. Can I ask why do you think he has ADHD?

I think he sounds perfectly normal. My 2/3 yo can't sit still for more than a nano-second.

Disrupting games is probably him wanting to join in, but not having the skills to do it. Encourage him to join in and learn from them. Show him how its done.

How are his language skills? Is he an only child, or does he have siblings?

LOL, I always worried about my DS concentrating far too long and far too obsessively at that age.

DD was a great one for flitting between things at that age. She still flits a bit at nearly six. I have found that generally less of a worry than the obsessive focus to the exclusion of anything and anyone else.

Sounds about normal to me. DC3 is 3, and can concentrate on one thing for a few minutes, then will move onto something else. His favourite thing though is Running Very Fast, preferably round in a circle and then skidding to a halt

My friends often comment on my DS's (2.3) very long attention span, no other toddlers I know concentrate on something for as long as DS so I would say that your DS sounds perfectly normal.

My DS does flit from thing to thing sometimes too, one second he is playing with something, then something else catches his eye and he moves onto that. If it is his cars or Thomas engines then he will play with them for ages and ages.

I think it is normal for toddlers to be like this.

Hi Clare, I'm a pre-school teacher and he sounds quite normal to me. We often have parents worried about their, usually, DS's concentration and that they won't sit still - it's really normal. Boys actually find it a real struggle to sit still at such a young age - hormones and not quite enough muscle control are 2 of the main reasons. As for concentration you've actually answered a question I always ask these parents - if he really enjoys something can he spend a reasonable amount of time at it? - not talking hours but 10-15 mins max. If he can spend time at things he chooses for himself then he has the ability to concentrate but is not yet ready to concentrate on demand (when an adult wants him to) so I wouldn't worry too much.
As far as interupting other children's games that can be frustration as he wants to play but has not yet mastered the social skills needed - entirley normal for a child under 4.
Is there anything else that makes you think he may have adhd?

Normal! My ds is 2.9 and exactly the same. He can concentrate when it suits him bet mainly just flits about and when I am doing something like reading or colouring with him, often he will just get giddy or start to lose interest fairly quickly.

I was convinced there was something wrong with him when h was younger and he constantly needed motion and stimulation, never sat or would be cradled even as a baby, just needed a lot of movement and ever changing scenery. But as his language developed he calmed down and now I know hejust didn't like being a baby. He is very inquisitive and sitting still just bored him. He talks constantly and is actually very sensible in many ways.

I don't worry too much anymore as although he doesn't sit still for long, I know he can do it and sometimes he will sit on the sofa with me looking at books etc for 30 mins so he CAN do it when it suits him! I think lots of kids are like this, my friend's 4yr old is still quite giddy and loses concentration very easily.

Mine son is 3 and 11 months we seen improvements in his concentration span by using Omega 3. He has always been a high energy child although I was less worried when he was 2-3 rather than rising 4. Nursery started to comment about getting an SENCO in before school to assess him but that has gone off the boil as he has calmed down dramatically.

I think your child sounds normal to me!

My DS is exactly the same. Never wanted to play with toys particularly and hates any form of painting, crafty things. He is just 4 now and things are improving dramatically.

I would say don't worry - he is still a tiny boy and will do things in his own good time. I'm no expert but I would say that if he can concentrate on something that interests him, then he does not have ADHD issues.

My tactic has always to give him as much exercise and outdoor time as possible (think labrador). We are also lucky that he attends a pre-school where they are very good with boys. His teacher told me to 'think big' - so lots of painting outside with big paintbrushes (emulsion size) with paints or with water if necessary (although actually I tend to leave it to them )

Lots of boys find fiddly things very difficult and then get frustrated so don't push him.

I am responding to this because today DS1 and I sat and made a lego truck. I did most of it but he did sit with me and help for the entire 20 minute duration. This is a MASSIVE milestone for me!

So relax - he sounds like a lovely energetic little boy.

Interested about Omega 3 though - is it syrup? Is it the vitamin section? Or do you just give him mackerel!

Thank you all so much for replying to the my post. I know it takes time and I really appreciate it.

I guess the reason why I have worried about his concentration is because he seems much more lively that his friends. Not all the time, but often he is the one running around or jumping or climbing. He is also very, very LOUD! He can be disruptive and hit out (although thankfully this is quite rare now). He can also be very disobedient - I will say no to something and he will just do it again.

I hope this sounds normal! His nursery have not mentioned anything to me and he has been going there for 6 months now.

Thank you again. xx

fruitstick We normally use the 'little sweeties' form of Omega 3. these ar DS's favourite!

Although we are doing the Mumsnet product test at the moment so we are using the Nutrasea liquid form. DS still asks if he can have the purple ones back yet!

If your child is eating oily fish anyway then there would be no need, mine just about manages a bit of salmon occasionally! In fact if you already have a diet rich in Omega 3 it is really not recommended - obviously. I think that paragraph was fairly self explanatory sorry, I do have a tendency to state the obvious.

My friend also uses Omega 3 with her 15 year old (different supplement) and has seen a marked improvement in her ability to concentrate.