You have probably noticed that your child can focus on an engaging task like a puzzle or colouring a picture for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. The length of time will vary in response to your child’s level of interest in the task and how they’re feeling (hungry, tired, etc). This is completely normal. If you and your child are able to engage in a fun – and brief – focused activity like this once or twice a day, that is great!

At other times, your child may be selecting their own play activity – and learning is still happening! If you can, watch your child at play during these moments. Before long, you will see why the Council of Ministers of Education says that “when children are playing, children are learning” (CMEC, 2012).