Tips on Working With Babies With a Short Attention Span

A baby with a short attention span can get easily distracted, but encouraging your baby to develop at her own speed can prevent tantrums. Depending on your baby's age, age-appropriate toys can help with her exploration. If your baby seems constantly discouraged with play, consult your pediatrician about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, recommends Fisher Price.

Toys

• Keep it simple with your baby.

  Babies won't require more than two toys at a time, suggests MayoClinic.com. Offering too many toys can excite and frustrate your baby. Black and white objects can hold your baby's attention span until he's 6 months old. After six months, colorful toys, musical toys and plastic bowls will engage your baby more. Playing with your baby can help encourage keeping him focused.

Routine

• Babies need to wind down after play.

  Choosing when to play with your baby can help keep her attention. Being tired, fussy or hungry can result in an unwilling baby. Playing soothing music during play can keep the environment calm. Showing your baby how to use toys in different ways can also attract your baby. For example, your baby might become bored with stacking blocks. Putting blocks into a box can become a new game.

Let Baby Lead

• Babies like exploration.

  Following your baby's lead will let you know what she enjoys the most. Some babies like to play with only one favorite toy. Distracting your baby with another toy can cause her to tune out. If your baby decides she wants to put a ball into her mouth instead of rolling it to you, allow her this option.

Over Stimulation

• Overstimulation makes your baby disinterested.

  Babies get overstimulated quickly. Putting new toys into your baby's environment can cause him to become overwhelmed. Introducing one toy a week can allow your baby to become familiar with and focused on the object. If your baby turns away or rubs his eyes, it's time to stop.