8 Ways to Help a Child With Challenges Staying Within Specific Areas for Different Time Periods

Sitting still isn’t exactly easy and a natural choice for many children. Even just a few minutes can be a challenge. But in school, kindergarten or organised programs they are expected to do it for much longer periods of time. Fidgeting, squirming, getting up and walking around, are all pretty normal behaviours for children.

Not all children develop new skills at the same rate or time but there are typical ages when children are able to sit still for certain amounts of time:

• 3-4 year-olds: 5–10 minutes
• 5-6 year-olds: 15-20 minutes
• 7-9 year-olds: 20-25 minutes
• 10-year-olds: 40-45 minutes (Source – adapted)

So, what do we do to help children with challenges staying in one location for different periods of time?

Here are 8 ways to help children with challenges staying within specific areas for different periods of time:

1. Provide clear feedback about good choices and poor choices. Describe what they should and should not be doing in the assigned area for the allotted period of time.
2. Create very clear rules, review and reinforce them. For example, on task behaviour, stay seated, work quietly, hands up for questions.
3. When applying consequences for incorrect behaviour maintain high levels of consistency. i.e., negative behaviour receives a negative consequence and positive behaviour receives commendation and reinforcement.
4. Creat a schedule of organised activities in specific areas for children to particpate during set times. For example, before and after school, as well as lunch times.
5. Ensure the child is actively engaged in activities through close supervision, clear accountabilities, appropriate choices and expectations.
6. Use a timer to help the child monitor success and progress for the period of time allocated to the activity.
7. Ensure supervision is dilligent and supportive, then gradually adjust as success and progress is achieved.
8. If the child spends time away from the task and activities, make this up during recreation time, breaks or recess.

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