The Importance of a Child's Attention Spans, Sleep Patterns, Problem-solving, and Self-regulation Skills
Attention Span
Attention spans, sleep patterns, problem-solving, and self-regulation affect children immensely. It is so important that children can gain all these functions to help them succeed throughout their lives. “An attention span is a measure of the amount of time someone can stay focused on a particular task, thought, or conversation without being distracted” (GoodTherapy, 2016). Attention spans are unique to the child and will differ depending on each person; some children may have long attention spans, whereas others may have short ones. One reason for this can be due to technology or fear of missing out; as the study discussed, “Interrupted and diverted, we have lost the ability to focus, suspended between FOMO and the questionable pleasures delivered by e-mails, tweets, alerts, notifications, and achievements unlocked” (Duquette, 2018). Children need to have attention spans to complete different tasks and focus on things they are learning, so educators and parents must help strengthen children’s attention spans.
Sleep Patterns
Sleep patterns are also fundamental because, without sleep, children cannot focus and be their best selves. Children are stimulated throughout the day with so many different activities and events. “Going to bed could be hours away from going to sleep, not because of insomnia, but because being in bed is increasingly associated with leisure activities such as watching television and social media use, or work-related activities such as dealing with e-mail” (Exelmans et al., 2015). Many different things can influence a child in getting quality sleep, and when participating in leisure activities, it continues to stimulate the child’s mind and keeps them awake. “Studies have shown that kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behaviour, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health” (Dawkins, 2018). Sleep is essential to allow children to develop and be thoroughly equipped for the day.
Problem-solving, and Self-regulation Skills
Children need self-regulation and problem-solving skills, which are skills needed in real-life situations. Self-regulation usually has four steps: “goal-setting, self-monitoring, effective use of self instructions or self-talk, and self reinforcement” (The IRIS Center, 2013). Problem-solving usually has five steps: “identify the problem, develop at least five possible solutions, identify the pros and cons of each solution, pick a solution, test it out” (Morin, 2021). Children need these skills to control their emotions and find ways to get to a solution when faced with different situations. “The ability to successfully solve problems may increase positive behaviour, academic progress, self-esteem, and social opportunities and decrease frustration during daily situations” (Diamond, 2017). Children will gain so many benefits from problem-solving; that is why educators need to find ways to learn these skills into the curriculum. “Selected strategies then will promote the development of problem-solving and other foundational self-determination skills” (Diamond, 2017). Problem-solving and self-regulation go hand-in-hand with each other and are essential skills in life.
