Understanding Your Child’s Concentration: Normal Attention Spans and How to Help Kids Focus

Emma Christmas
Oct 8
2 min read

If you’ve ever thought, 'Why do they lose interest so quickly?' or 'Is it normal for them to have such a short attention span!?'- you’re not alone! Many parents worry about their child’s ability to focus, but here’s the truth: young children can’t concentrate like adults - and that’s completely normal.

Why Children Struggle to Concentrate

Humans aren’t born with a brain that is finished and it takes until a child is between 10 and 12 for a basic stage of development where consistent focus becomes more likely. Before then, you’ll naturally see ups and downs in their concentration. Scientists estimate that children can focus for about 2–5 minutes per year of age. Which would mean a typical 4 year old might be able to concentrate for 12 minutes. Sure, if they’re doing something they enjoy then that’s entirely possible, but it’s also not realistic that a 4 year old is going to choose to sit at a table for 20 minutes practising their writing.

What Affects a Child’s Attention Span?

A child’s ability to focus depends on many factors, including:

The type of activity and how interested your child is in it.

Sleep, hunger, and hydration levels
Time of day
Environment and distractions
Their unique brain wiring

Even something as simple as lighting or colour in the room can make a difference.

How to Help Your Child Focus Better

There are lots of simple, practical ways to support your child’s growing attention span - from setting up the right environment to understanding what truly holds their interest.

Inside The Parent Hub, we dive deeper into proven strategies that help children focus, regulate and thrive - including everyday routines, play ideas and mindset shifts that make a real difference.

The Takeaway

Children’s attention spans grow with time, patience and the right environment. Instead of worrying when your child can’t sit still or loses interest quickly, remind yourself - their brain is still developing exactly as it should.

Hi, I’m Emma - Early Childhood specialist and Mum of 2. My goal is simple: I want to help you understand your children better so every stage feels a little easier.