Attention and Listening 0-5 Years by CAMHS Speech and Language https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw en-us 2017-10-09 15:26:05 UTC 2025-04-24 10:32:21 UTC hello@padlet.com Typical development of attention skills Livewell https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/216903834
As children develop they pass through a number of different stages as their attention and listening skiis improve. These are the 6 main stages. 

  • Stage 1: Children at this stage are very distracted, their attention is held momentarily by whatever is the dominant stimulus. 

  • Stage 2: At this stage children can concentrate on a task of their own choice. They have to ignore all other things in order to focus on this one task. Children are very resistant to interference by an adult. 

  • Stage 3: By now, children are beginning to allow an adult to shift them from one task to another. Attention must still be fully gained before changing focus

  • Stage 4: Children now start to become able to control their own focus of attention. They move gradually towards only needing to look at an adult when the directions become difficult to understand. 

  • Stage 5: At this stage, children are usually entering school. They can now perform an activity while listening to the teacher giving directions.

  • Stage 6: This is a mature stage where attention skills are flexible and sustained or lengthy periods. 
]]> 2017-12-18 11:11:57 UTC https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/216903834 Why do some children have problems with attention? Livewell https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/216904963 Some of the possible reasons are listed below. Some children may have more than one of the possible reasons for difficulties. 
  • Hearing loss  
  • Generally delayed development 
  • Tiredness
  • Tasks are too easy 
  • Tasks are too hard 
  • Adult’s language is too complicated
  • The adult is talking about something they are not focussed on 
  • Too many distractions 
  • Feels poorly 
  • Has specifically delayed development of attention skills 
]]> 2017-12-18 11:17:55 UTC https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/216904963 Why is attention Important Livewell https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/216998898 Good Attention and Listening skills are needed to
  • Develop play skills and help them explore things for longer.
  • Develop early social interactions with adults and other children.
  • Understand words and follow instructions accurately
  • Develop vocabulary (words)
  • Develop grammar e.g. –ed for past tense, -s for plural
  • Develop accurate speech sounds, phonic awareness and literacy
  • Participate in conversations, class discussions and make friends
  • Develop incidental learning from the world around them
]]> 2017-12-18 16:04:31 UTC https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/216998898 Strategies to support development of attention Livewell https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/217005570
  • Use their name and gain eye contact with your child before giving them an  instruction 
  • Get down to the child’s level 
  • Call their name first, gain eye contact.
  • Go to a quieter room. Try switching the TV, radio or other distractions off 
  • Only introduce a few toys at once 
  • Use gestures and objects as clues to gain attention and help your child understand. 
  • Use short simple sentences.
  • Talk about what your child is playing with. 
  • Break down instructions into smaller parts 
  • Be repetitive.

    • Click below for a printout of strategies and activities to support attention and listening.

    ]]>     2017-12-18 16:20:36 UTC https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/217005570     More tips and advice Livewell https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/223104248 Click below for further information from the Afasic charity]]> 2018-01-21 14:45:21 UTC https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/223104248 Click for Further Links Livewell https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/226164580              ]]> 2018-01-30 16:14:58 UTC https://padlet.com/Livewell/ng05z0iysthw/wish/226164580