{"id":34807,"date":"2025-12-12T13:24:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T13:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/?page_id=34807"},"modified":"2025-12-12T13:24:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T13:24:09","slug":"attention-and-engagement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/ordinarily-available-inclusive-provision\/targeted-support-framework-eyfs\/semh-needs-ey\/attention-and-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"Attention and engagement in the early years"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-heading-quote clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-693c1774d7c28\"><div class=\"hq-outer\"><h2><span class=\"hq-heading\">What is attention and engagement?<\/span><span class=\"hq-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"a\" viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\"><defs><style>.b{fill:#242a5f;}.c{fill:#24295f;}<\/style><\/defs><path class=\"b\" d=\"M53.53,0c.25.28.72.54.73.83.12,4.12.21,8.25.19,12.38,0,.29-.88.78-1.38.81-.37.03-1.12-.53-1.12-.83.01-4.14.12-8.28.23-12.42,0-.26.29-.51.44-.77.3,0,.61,0,.91,0Z\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M86.09,47.77c-1.66,0-3.34.12-4.98-.06-.61-.07-1.13-.86-1.7-1.33.55-.5,1.09-1.41,1.67-1.44,3.4-.14,6.8-.16,10.2,0,.63.03,1.23,1,1.84,1.53-.68.44-1.32,1.17-2.04,1.25-1.64.19-3.32.06-4.98.06,0,0,0,0,0,0Z\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M16.79,47.77c-1.74,0-3.48.1-5.2-.06-.57-.05-1.07-.77-1.6-1.18.5-.55.98-1.55,1.5-1.57,3.54-.14,7.09-.14,10.64,0,.52.02,1.01,1.03,1.51,1.58-.54.41-1.06,1.12-1.64,1.17-1.72.16-3.47.06-5.2.05Z\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M38,16.81c-.23.25-.55.83-1.01,1.02-.37.14-1.14-.05-1.36-.36-2.28-3.1-4.5-6.24-6.65-9.44-.21-.31.03-1.32.36-1.52.46-.27,1.54-.35,1.75-.06,2.34,3.14,4.57,6.36,6.82,9.57.08.11.04.29.1.78Z\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M77.55,8.73c-.24.46-.42.96-.72,1.38-1.82,2.61-3.59,5.26-5.55,7.76-.44.56-1.58.58-2.39.85,0-.79-.33-1.79.03-2.34,1.81-2.8,3.75-5.51,5.75-8.18.37-.49,1.21-.77,1.87-.85.58-.07,1.22.26,1.83.42-.27.32-.54.64-.82.96Z\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M90.69,26.03c-.95,1.01-1.3,1.68-1.83,1.91-3.05,1.28-6.11,2.52-9.23,3.61-.56.19-1.39-.41-2.09-.65.32-.66.47-1.69.98-1.92,3.02-1.34,6.09-2.57,9.21-3.64.66-.23,1.59.35,2.96.69Z\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M14.69,24.99c3.54,1.45,6.89,2.77,10.18,4.24.37.16.7,1.26.5,1.65-.22.44-1.18.94-1.59.79-3.32-1.19-6.6-2.48-9.83-3.88-.44-.19-.79-1.24-.69-1.8.07-.41.95-.68,1.44-.99Z\"><\/path><path class=\"c\" d=\"M86.99,95.32c-.64-7.78-4.73-12.77-12.2-14.81-1.02-.28-2.07-.41-3.09-.68-3.18-.86-6.51-1.4-9.5-2.73-3.01-1.34-3.19-3.33-.98-5.79,1.61-1.8,3.45-3.4,5.16-5.11,5.04-5.05,8.55-10.94,8.43-18.26-.07-4.57-.36-9.33-1.67-13.66-4.98-16.55-24.38-18.03-34.78-10.37-9.48,6.98-10.79,17.01-9.38,27.73.77,5.85,4.02,10.54,8.12,14.64,1.77,1.76,3.64,3.43,5.27,5.32,1.89,2.18,1.63,3.99-.87,5.41-1.6.91-3.47,1.44-5.27,1.92-3.2.84-6.53,1.25-9.66,2.3-7.16,2.41-11.82,11.11-10.23,18.77h71.03c-.14-1.7-.27-3.19-.39-4.68ZM45.94,48.97c-1.51-1.42-2.51-3.59-3.23-5.6-.68-1.91-.38-4.05,1.63-5.21,1.94-1.12,3.94-.75,5.72.58.54.4.97.95,1.57,1.56.72-.65,1.28-1.26,1.95-1.73,1.76-1.22,3.71-1.49,5.53-.36,1.93,1.2,2.3,3.31,1.56,5.24-.77,2-1.76,4.16-3.28,5.58-6.03,5.65-5.42,5.65-11.46-.05Z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><\/h2><div class=\"hq-intro\"><p>This is the ability of a child to focus on a task or activity for a sustained period of time without becoming easily distracted. It can also involve the level of interest, curiosity and motivation that a child shows towards a learning activity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In the early years it is important to bear in mind the child&#8217;s age and stage of development when identifying need.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-693c1774d7fb0\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#f3f1f6;}.cls-2{fill:#5d4c77;}<\/style><\/defs><g id=\"Group_7793\"><path id=\"Path_2\" class=\"cls-1\" d=\"M17.57,2.73h24.27l16.17,16.5v23.01l-16.17,17.76h-23.43L1.48,42.24v-23.01S17.57,2.73,17.57,2.73Z\"><\/path><g id=\"question-octagon\"><g id=\"Group_7792\"><path id=\"Path_6596\" class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M17.02.55C17.37.2,17.85,0,18.34,0h23.3C42.14,0,42.61.2,42.96.55l16.48,16.48c.35.35.55.83.55,1.32v23.3c0,.5-.2.97-.55,1.32l-16.48,16.48c-.35.35-.83.55-1.32.55h-23.3c-.5,0-.97-.2-1.32-.55L.55,42.97c-.35-.35-.55-.82-.55-1.32v-23.3c0-.5.2-.97.55-1.32L17.02.55ZM19.12,3.75L3.75,19.12v21.75l15.38,15.38h21.75l15.38-15.38v-21.75l-15.38-15.38h-21.76Z\"><\/path><path id=\"Path_6597\" class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M19.57,21.78c-.01.24.08.48.26.65s.41.27.66.26h3.14c.52-.01.95-.41,1.01-.93.34-2.43,2.05-4.21,5.1-4.21,2.61,0,5,1.27,5,4.33,0,2.36-1.42,3.44-3.67,5.09-2.56,1.81-4.58,3.93-4.44,7.37v.8c.03.51.45.92.96.91h3.08c.52,0,.94-.41.95-.93v-.39c0-2.66,1.04-3.44,3.84-5.51,2.32-1.72,4.73-3.62,4.73-7.63,0-5.6-4.85-8.31-10.16-8.31-4.82,0-10.09,2.19-10.45,8.48v.02ZM25.49,43.16c.05,1.96,1.68,3.5,3.64,3.45.07,0,.14,0,.2,0,2.32,0,3.91-1.46,3.91-3.44s-1.6-3.49-3.91-3.49c-1.94-.16-3.65,1.28-3.82,3.22,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,.09-.01.17-.01.26h-.01Z\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Identification<\/strong> &#8211; what you may see in the child<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Doesn&#8217;t always accept adult instruction or direction<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Find it challenging to start and\/or end an adult-directed task<\/strong> or take part in an adult-led group activity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Demonstrate impulsive behaviours<\/strong>, for example shouting out, moving around or getting up and leaving an activity or group.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Struggle to understand and follow setting expectations, structures and routines.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Easily lose focus<\/strong> and is easily distracted.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Is often fidgeting or squirming<\/strong>; may find it hard to sit still.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Talk or makes noises excessively.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Blurt out words, noises or phrases.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Struggle to follow verbal instructions.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Struggle to filter sensory input<\/strong> in order to attend or focus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-693c1774d8079\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" viewBox=\"0 0 60.07 60\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#f3f1f6;}.cls-2{fill:#5d4c77;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"43.44 27.53 31.1 31.33 31.1 12.17 43.44 8.78 43.44 27.53\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"41.76 6.92 30.45 10.08 17.08 6.58 30.36 3.46 41.76 6.92\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"28.93 52.72 16.58 56.52 16.58 37.36 28.93 33.97 28.93 52.72\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"57.97 52.73 45.62 56.53 45.62 37.37 57.97 33.97 57.97 52.73\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"28 32.55 16.69 35.72 3.33 32.21 16.6 29.09 28 32.55\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"55.99 32.46 44.67 35.71 31.39 32.45 44.67 29.22 55.99 32.46\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"44.38 56.8 31.1 52.76 31.1 33.7 43.87 37.1 44.38 56.8\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"15.09 56.8 1.81 52.76 1.81 33.7 14.58 37.1 15.09 56.8\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"29.42 31.61 16.59 27.57 16.59 8.51 28.93 11.91 29.42 31.61\"><\/polygon><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M60.14,32.49c0-.06,0-.1-.02-.16,0-.02,0-.06-.02-.08-.02-.05-.03-.1-.06-.15,0-.02-.02-.05-.03-.07-.03-.06-.07-.12-.11-.17,0,0,0-.02-.02-.02-.05-.06-.11-.12-.17-.17-.02,0-.03-.02-.04-.02-.05-.03-.09-.06-.15-.09-.03-.01-.06-.02-.09-.03-.03,0-.06-.02-.09-.03l-13.74-3.93V7.04c0-.06,0-.1-.02-.16,0-.02,0-.06-.02-.08-.02-.05-.03-.1-.06-.15,0-.02-.02-.05-.03-.07-.03-.06-.07-.12-.11-.17,0,0,0-.02-.02-.02-.05-.06-.11-.12-.17-.17-.02,0-.02-.02-.04-.02-.05-.03-.09-.06-.15-.09-.03-.01-.06-.02-.09-.03-.03,0-.06-.02-.09-.03L30.31,1.89c-.2-.06-.4-.06-.6,0l-14.53,4.15-.1.04s-.04.02-.06.02c-.42.19-.67.63-.63,1.09v20.38L.66,31.49s-.06.02-.09.03c-.02,0-.06.02-.08.03-.05.02-.1.06-.15.09-.02,0-.02.02-.04.02-.06.05-.12.1-.17.17,0,0,0,.02-.02.02-.04.06-.08.11-.11.17,0,.02-.02.05-.03.07-.02.05-.04.09-.06.15,0,.02-.02.06-.02.08,0,.05-.02.1-.02.16v21.03c0,.48.31.9.77,1.04l14.53,4.47c.21.06.43.06.65,0l14.2-4.37,14.2,4.37c.21.06.43.06.65,0l14.53-4.47c.46-.14.77-.57.77-1.04v-21.03h-.04ZM14.4,56.52l-12.35-3.8v-18.75l12.35,3.39v19.16ZM15.49,35.4l-10.49-2.88,10.49-3,10.49,3s-10.49,2.88-10.49,2.88ZM28.93,52.73l-12.35,3.8v-19.16l12.35-3.39v18.75ZM28.93,31.09l-12.34-3.53V8.51l12.34,3.4v19.18ZM19.53,7.06l10.49-3,10.49,3-10.49,2.89s-10.49-2.89-10.49-2.89ZM43.44,8.51v19.05l-12.35,3.53V11.91l12.35-3.39h0ZM43.44,56.52l-12.35-3.8v-18.75l12.35,3.39s0,19.16,0,19.16ZM44.54,35.4l-10.49-2.88,10.49-3,10.49,3s-10.49,2.88-10.49,2.88ZM57.97,52.73l-12.35,3.8v-19.16l12.35-3.39v18.75Z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Planned<\/strong> provision in the setting<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><p><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<p>Based on need, some of this provision will be effective.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Support waiting, or ending learning<\/strong> by using visuals, sand timers or countdown buttons. Use terminology of and model \u2018my turn your turn\u2019, \u2018ready steady&#8230;.go\u2019 and \u2018finished\u2019 to support understanding.<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<div class=\"RES9jf xWMiCc pb3iw BJ0kwe\"><strong>Deliberately use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lincspcf.org.uk\/DocsResource\/si_id_98_approaches_to_working_with_individuals_with_pda_20210402.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">indirect communication <\/a><\/strong>including:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>physical prompts (for example tapping shoes instead of saying \u201cPlease put your shoes on\u201d)<\/li>\n<li>visual prompts (showing the child an object of reference, moving onto cards or pictures)<\/li>\n<li>asking someone else to do something whilst in the child&#8217;s earshot<\/li>\n<li>communicating using role play or via a third party (for example, communicate through a favourite toy or by adopting the persona of a favourite character).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Repeat directions and instructions using the same language again<\/strong>, avoiding the use of negatives, for example don\u2019t, no, instead using positive, repetitive language for example \u2018I need you to walk\u2026\u2019.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adults adjust task expectations and reduce demands<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use personalised visual supports, <\/strong>for example objects of reference, real photos, visual timetable, a now and next board.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Praise and feedback given is meaningful and specific to the achievement<\/strong>, for example \u2018You kept on trying even when it didn\u2019t work the first time\u2019 rather than \u2018well done\u2019.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use agreed cues<\/strong> between adult and the child to remind them to focus on the task or to ask for help.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plan provision to support <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/oaip\/devons-ordinarily-available-targeted-support-framework\/cognition-and-learning-needs\/executive-functioning\/\" rel=\"noopener\">executive functioning<\/a><\/strong> (attention, working memory, inhibitory control, planning and organisation, cognitive flexibility and emotional self-regulation).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-693c1774d8125\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" viewBox=\"0 0 76.62 60\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#f3f1f6;}.cls-2{fill:#5d4c77;}<\/style><\/defs><path class=\"cls-1\" d=\"M1.37,3h73v52H1.37V3Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M46.52,13.63h19.15v5.47h-19.15v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M46.52,27.26h19.15v5.47h-19.15v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M46.52,40.9h19.15v5.47h-19.15v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M10.94,13.63h19.15v5.47H10.94v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M10.94,27.26h19.15v5.47H10.94v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M10.94,40.9h19.15v5.47H10.94v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M71.14,0H5.47C2.46,0,0,2.44,0,5.45v49.09c0,3.02,2.46,5.46,5.47,5.46h65.67c3.02,0,5.47-2.44,5.47-5.46V5.45C76.61,2.44,74.16,0,71.14,0ZM5.47,5.45h30.1v49.09H5.47V5.45ZM41.04,54.54V5.45h30.1v49.09h-30.1Z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Resources<\/strong> for settings<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Support services<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/referral-forms\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Children and Family Health Devon referral form<\/a> for Neurodiversity, Mental Health and Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST), sensory and Speech, Language and Communication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Further reading and information<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS &#8211; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Resources to share with parents<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a style=\"font-size: 16px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.adhdfoundation.org.uk\/services-for-families\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Services for Families &#8211; ADHD Foundation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":981,"featured_media":0,"parent":34756,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-34807","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-28 17:49:18","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/981"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34807"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34880,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34807\/revisions\/34880"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}