When Cameron started looking for a daycare centre for his son, Oliver, he found the Space directory was an easy way for him to both find and evaluate local childcare centres in South Melbourne where he worked. He had noticed that Oliver seemed to find it hard to concentrate on tasks, a problem he had suffered with as well. He decided to ask the early learning educators about whether focus-improving activities were included in the programme.
The childcare centre applied a range of activities to teach better focus such as music and movement, yoga and outdoor science. Under-fives have very short attention spans, between five and fifteen minutes, so early learning centres ensure that all activities included in the programme can be achieved in a reasonable timeframe. Cameron talked to centre staff to discover how these focus-improving activities could help his son.
Games
Board games
Simple board games such as Snakes and Ladders teach children to focus on following the progress of their piece, while also introducing a simple set of rules and basic numerology.
Simon Says or similar
‘Simon Says’ requires the child to watch carefully and control their impulses in order to stay the game.
Memory games
The game of Memory is used widely in early learning to both build working memory and lengthen attention spans. Children must remember what was on the cards that were turned over and retain the memory of where they are placed. Child focussed games use pictures and cute images that help the young players remember which cards were where.
Timed games
Teachers set children challenges on the clock, such as finding ten red objects. This helps children to concentrate intensely for short periods of time.
Ball games
Centres use the outdoors to offer children opportunities to increase their focus. Ball games require a good deal of concentration, both for when it is their turn to catch or hit, and in keeping an eye on the ball as it approaches.
Activities
Building blocks
Building with blocks or Lego requires children to focus on size and shape as well as considering balance and design as they build. Children also develop wider spatial awareness as they create or simply improve focus as they balance one block on top of another.
Science
Science lessons provide more opportunities for lessons in concentration. Watching chemical changes or planting seeds and waiting for them to grow requires a long period of waiting and the need to follow a careful routine all of which require strong focus. Children can also develop better focus as they collect materials to complete the tasks.
Quiet time
Some centres set specific times when children must be still and quiet. This teaches self -control and self-regulation, providing opportunities for children to focus without distraction.
South Melbourne childcare centres offer a range of activities incorporated into the daily programme that help children learn to focus and improve concentration. While being aware that young children have short attention spans, the activities provide them with the motivation to focus and achieve at their own pace.