Average attention span of a kindergarten aged child

[Anonymous]

My son's K teacher expressed her concern for my son's "short attention span" during class. She said that after about 15 mins or so of circle time or other teacher directed instruction he starts fidgeting and/or losing focus. I did some research and it seem like 15 mins is the average attention span of a 5 yr old child. Am I wrong? Does anyone know where I could find this information other than the possible inaccurate Internet? I also read that children tend to fidget in order to regulate their attention so expecting him to sit still for longer than 15 mins or so at his age is really not appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Lots of kids in nursery school can sit still in circle time for about 15- 20 minutes, so I'd guess in kindergarten they shoudlbe able to do so for longer.

That said, have you looked into some kind of cushion for him to sit on, and surreptitiously wiggle on a little bit? Maybe she's ley him use one?

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/67951.page

[Anonymous]

OP here. I will ask the teacher about the possibility of a wiggle seat but I am not sure it would be okay unless he has a 504 Plan (my friend is a teacher and has told me all about the rules). Also, I am not asking what other kids/school do, I am asking what is reasonable to expect at that age. If the preschool down the street expects kids to sit and listen for 45 mins, that isn't reasonable (even though they are doing it). I'd love any feedback from educators if there are any on this board. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

15-20 minutes based on what I've read, attention is often shorter when it's not a self-directed activity. I wonder if he is the only student in the class who's losing attention and if not perhaps she should consider giving them a break, for instance, let them stretch. How experienced is she?

[Anonymous]

OP, I would say that if the teacher is telling you that your son has a short attention span, she is comparing him with both the rest of the class and with her experience with other kids of kindergarten age. If your son didn't go to pre-k and/or preschool, he just may need to build up to this level. On the other hand, your son's teacher might be seeing something that should be watched.

FWIW, I found my son's teachers to be right on target about concerns with attention issues. I started hearing that he had a short attention span back in preschool, but didn't see it myself. I also didn't see it in pre-k or in the early part of kindergarten. But by the later part of kindergarten and now in first grade, I finally was able to see the behaviors that caused them concern. I don't think it was all about burying my head in the sand. I think I had different experiences with my son than they did. I don't do anything that remotely resembles circle time or those activities which cause him to lose focus.

One last thing. My son does have one of those wiggle cushions. It doesn't help for him and his teacher says she only ever had one kid that it worked for. In order to be permitted to use one, we had to have an OT recommend it, which meant we had to go through an OT eval. And, while you are right that technically you need an IEP or 504 plan to use one, I've found my kids' schools to be very willing to try things that work even in the absence of a plan requiring it so if you think it would work, it's worth discussing with the teacher.

[Anonymous]

OP here. His teacher is in her second year of teaching and I heard from parents of boys (2 of them) last year that she told them the same thing. He went to preschool for 2 yrs prior to this and this was never an issue. Of course now he is in school for 7 hrs a day (instead of 3) and it is nearly all teacher led instruction so I guess the expectation is much higher. She also compared his attention span to that of the other students in the class (more than 75% are girls). I asked her what the average attention span is of a 5 yr old boy and she didn't know. So I am stumped. I doubt that this was ever an issue for my brother or other boys his age in kindergarten b/c they were never expected to sit and listen for more time than it took to read a story and single a few songs.

[Anonymous]

I think your teacher is inexperienced and has unrealistic expectations. And I'm not sure why would you want circle time to be more than 15 minutes?

[Anonymous]

OP - This is only her second year? Over 75% of the class girls? There is a range of normal, your boy falls into it, you can suggest strategies, like breaking at 15 minutes. Even if the other students are quiet and not fidgeting their concentration is probably not great after 15 minutes. By the end of the year, his attention span will probably be longer.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, OP, I don't have any answers but lots of sympathy. I also have a 5yo boy in K this year and am dreading the parent teacher conference in a few weeks. Mine is constant motion and while he's used to full day school, he has found K a tough transition. When I have been in the classroom for volunteer activities and open house, I watch him (and other boys) struggle to sit still as required, and it really frustrates me to see the teacher and the aides rewarding kids who make no movement whatsoever. What depresses me is that I can kind of see this from the teacher's perspective too; 25 wriggly distractable kids is just too many for one person to corral all day long, much less teach them anything. Which was probably fine before the tests became the thing. Good luck, and know that you're not alone.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. Our formal conferences are also in a few weeks. I've already had one informal one and a handful of emails and phone calls. My neighbor is starting to volunteer in the classroom soon so she said she would see what the deal is. I told her to be honest and let me know if his inability to sit still longer than 15 mins is really out of the norm for the boys in the class (I think 5 yr old boys and 5 yr old girl are 2 different things). I also believe one or two of the boys is actually 6 yrs old about to turn 7 so I don't count them either.

[Anonymous]

OP Make sure you ask for the age range if you son is one of the youngest. The spread matters. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, my son's teacher seems a bit clueless about child development in general. I mentioned to her that attention span is like anything else having to do w/ early childhood development. It is on a continuum and some kids develop it early, late, etc. She said "I teach kindergarten so I am not up to date about early child development." Apparently, once a kid hits 5, they are no longer a child! Hmm. I always thought early childhood extended to age 8. Honestly, the fact that my son pays attention to a teacher talking about the short vowel for more than a minute is impressive to me!

[Anonymous]

If your son can pay attention for 15 minutes in circle time that is within normal limits. Unfortunately, the demands of K and 1 and beyond have become developmentally inapporpriate for most boys IMO and according to a lot of what I have read. Plus, recess is shorter and there is less PE. Nightmare for high energy little boys IMO!