For K2 - Can My Child Sit Through a Class in Primary 1?

80698165

Can My Child Sit Through a Class in Primary 1?

                                                                                                         Why Some K2 Children Struggle — And What Parents Can Do Now

                                           We are not alone. In fact, this is one of the most common concerns shared by K2 parents every year. But here's the truth many parents don't realize:

"Attention span is not fixed. It's not a personality trait.

It’s simply a habit — and habits can be trained.”

Why Do Many K2 Children Not Sit for Long

1. Their natural attention span is still developing

A 6-year-old typically has an attention span of 10–15 minutes — and that is perfectly normal.
But Primary 1 lessons last 30–45 minutes.

2. K2 learning is active, while P1 learning is structured

In Kindergarten, children learn through:

• hands-on activities
• movement
• songs
  

In Primary 1, there's more:

• sitting
• listening
• copying
• following instructions
  

The sudden shift feels like a shock unless habits are built beforehand.

3. Over-stimulation from screens makes sitting harder

Fast-moving videos condition the brain to expect constant change.

Slow, quiet tasks like reading or copying words feel “boring,” not because the child is lazy, but because their brain is used to high stimulation.

This affects:

• patience
• focus
• listening
  

4. Children have not practiced 'sit-down stamina'

Just like physical stamina, mental stamina grows with training.

You wouldn't expect a child to run 1km without practice.
Similarly, you cannot expect a child to sit for 40 minutes without gradually training that skill.

So, here's what we can do as a Parent

1. Build “Sitting Strength” at Home

Start with a short sit-down activity like drawing, colouring, Lego, puzzle or reading a picture book

Start at 5 minutes.
Then stretch it slowly to 8 → 10 → 12 → 15 minutes.

The goal is not to force the child to sit still.
The goal is to build endurance gently, like training a muscle.

2. Create a Simple Daily Learning Routine

Kids respond well to routine and predictability.

A powerful formula is:

10 minutes reading +
10 minutes writing/numbers +
1 quiet activity

Same time every day.
Why?
Because when the brain knows the routine, resistance decreases and cooperation increases.

3. Train Listening Skills at Home

Listening is a habit, not just a behavior.

Ask them to look into your eyes when you speak, and also ask them to keep their hands free while listening. No pencils or erasers for distractions

Praise their effort, not accuracy:

• "I love how you listened so carefully!"
• “Great job completing the steps!”
  

This builds the same listening pattern teachers use in class.

4. Reduce Screen Time Gently

• Replace 20–30 minutes of screen time with:
• coloring
• Simple board games
• building blocks
• sensory play
• This helps the brain slow down, increasing focus during lessons.
  

5. Allow Daily Outdoor Play

Many of us assume active kids have “focus issues.”

In reality, they just have excess physical energy .

When kids run, jump, climb, cycle, or play outdoors, they burn energy that would otherwise turn into:

• fidgeting
• impatience
• distraction
  

A child who plays well focuses better .

As I said, Attention is a habit not a talent. And habits takes time. So we can be patient and continue to do the right thing.