Attention Spans Are Short. Here’s How to Stretch Them Gently
Sometimes it feels like your toddler’s attention span lasts exactly as long as it takes you to sit down with a cup of coffee. Blink, and they’re off to dump the toy bin. But here’s the good news: attention isn’t something kids are born with in full t’s something they build, like a muscle.
by Meredith Miller
9/26/20251 min read
Why It’s So Short
Toddlers are wired for curiosity. Their brains are growing at lightning speed, and bouncing from toy to toy is part of that process.
How to Help Stretch It
Play Together First: Ten minutes of undivided attention can “fill their tank,” making it easier for them to play solo.
Use Routines: When kids know what comes next, they can focus longer without worrying what’s around the corner.
Start Small: Ask for one more minute of play before clean-up, then slowly build. Celebrate their effort!
Movement Breaks: A wiggle or dance break resets the brain for more focus afterward.
Think of attention like a balloon, you want to stretch it bit by bit, not pop it by forcing too much too soon.