My daughter is 5.5 and she's at a three day a week preschool. She seemed to be doing fine academically and we thought she was doing (as far as we saw) all the things a normal 5.5 year old does.Then today the teacher called me letting me know that our daughter is "spacing out" during circle time and seems to lose focus during group activities, wanting to do other things. However, she said, she does great one-on-one and is learning at the right pace.
So naturally, I've been online freaking myself out thinking she has ADD, but when I did the checklist she only had a "yes" to one question out of many.
My husband and father in law both have attention issues but nothing that hindered them in school (my husband got great grades). We've laughed about my husband's issues many times. And I do see that in my daughter. I just pray it doesn't hold her back in school.
My question is, could this be an age/maturity thing? I don't want to jump to ADD if it's something she'll grow out of. Anyone deal with this and have older kids now? I'm really hoping she grows out of this, and that we (her parents) can help her focus with certain activities.
Thanks for all of your responses - they've made me feel so much better. Regarding her age and kindergarten...she's a late birthday, a week before the kg cutoff (late August with a September 1 cutoff). We actually sent her to kindergarten this year (despite my gut feeling that we should hold her back) but took her out after a month, when her teacher told us she felt she was too young and her attention span needed to be better, and she was struggling. So I'm not sure she's bored since this happened in kg too, but maybe. That's what's perplexing me.
Now she's in what's called junior kindergarten, with only kids who were either born right before the cutoff or just missed it. She'll go in the fall.
Is it possible she's just bored? Maybe she isn't being challenged enough. Honestly that age group isn't exactly know for their ability to focus.
Notice that the teacher isn't saying your daughter is acting out, but rather that she wants to do other things. She's not being a problem child, she's bored. She will likely flourish next year in Kindergarten when she is more challenged academically. Is there another group they can put her in for the rest of the year in Pre-K? Maybe a group that is learning more academic things? She might like that better.
My daughter spaces out all the time (she will be 5 in two months). And she hates large group activities, always wanting to go off and do something else. Hell, she always wants to just do something else.
These are issues for the teacher, but they don't say "problem' to me.
Let me put it this way, have you ever been in a classroom and spaced out? Have you ever been in a classroom and decided to do something else (read a book, etc.)? Of course you have. It's all just part of life. Things can't hold our interest 100% of the time, that's just not how it works.
They said this same thing to me about my son in Preschool. Even going so far as to suggest holding him. Now in third grade he is one of the very best students in a grade of 125 as evidenced by his admittance into an accelerated enrichment program with only 7 kids. I thank God I didn't listen to his preschool teachers.
Honestly I think that the current fascination with being 'on task' and all of that which goes along with it is quite overdone. It seems to me like teachers and parents really rush to give a title to behavior that is just even a teensy bit ouside of the norm-and this whole 'attention' thing is a perfect example. I am not saying that I don't think there are not some children who do have a 'disorder' that involves their ability to pay attention-I just think the numbers are much, much lower than we think.
Another reason that a young child may act this way, is because they are tired. Or lack enough sleep. Or are overtired. Or the go to bed too late. Or are just sleep deprived due to lack of sleep.
I see this all the time. Even when my kids were in Preschool and now with young Elementary kids. I work at my kids' school.
It can also be a maturity thing.
She sounds quite normal, and perhaps bored.
I don't think there is anything to be too concerned about, mom.
Sounds like she is bored.
Perhaps she is just bored. That would be my guess.
maybe she's bored....did she miss the cut off for kindergarten?
As a preschool teacher (and the mom of a five year old boy myself, who is rather often Lost in Space, as we gently joke), your daughter sounds fine. Perhaps there's something that's distracting her, perhaps she's already done/covered the material they are introducing at circle times and your little girl is just bored?
Group activities-- what sort are they? I learned that some group activities were really not effective with youngsters in a larger group-- the kids are all waiting for their turn but perhaps not so interested in everyone else's turn.
Also-- check and see what the teacher is presenting. Like I said, if this is information which she is very familiar with, it's less engaging and can be even boring at times. If new materials/experiences are being offered in the classroom, perhaps she's gravitating toward those and thinking about them instead. She may also be bored with the environment; five and a half is often the age a child is in kindergarten, so maybe she's ready for something new and more advanced or sophisticated? ;) Good luck!
(And for what it's worth, the worst we've had to deal with this year in kindergarten with Kiddo's spacing out is that sometimes he doesn't manage his time well at school and has to bring some work home. Some of us are just a bit more 'in our heads' than others. I am the "Space Queen" in our house and in my family.... it's not a bad thing, just a 'deep in my head' thing at times.)
sounds like she's bored....I'd wait & see how KG goes next year.
until then, please just shelf your concerns. :)
I had a whole thing written then read your what happened and it seems as though this is a problem for her
Therefore I would recommend you enroll her in some group classes at the Y or library or park district. She probably just needs more experience with that aspect of learning at school.
Also ask the teacher what they recommend. I hate when teachers say X is a problem but X can not be examined at home or worked on at home since it's purely a group of kids type thing! Personally the teacher should be having your daughter near her or in the front during all group activities.
That said, have you checked her hearing and sight?? That could also cause this behavior.
Sound like she's either bored or tired. Either way, I think these things have a way of working themselves out. Stop stressing!!
Yes. Yes yes yes yes. YES.
I feel your pain!! Deep breath, we both have to really accept and believe that this is just a five year old thing. I know how hard that is :)
This was my post a few weeks back:
http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/7155232570635124737
Doesn't sound like Add but more anxiety or petite Mal seizures. You need to see a neuropschologist and have her tested for anxiety etc. if your insurance allows find a GOOD. Neuropsych. They are smart and will get to the bottom of it if u go to a well reputable one. Hope that helps. Your daughter sounds adorable!!
