Tag Archive for: Megan Shake

Developing Your Child’s Attention Span

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By Megan Shake, MSW, LCSW – October 23, 2024 –

How long is your child’s attention span? Many people assume children’s attention spans should be longer than they actually are. You might be surprised to learn that the average is generally two minutes per year of age.

So, if your child is five years old, their attention span is about 10 minutes. Like anything else a child learns, it takes time and practice to help develop their attention span. It is not something that can be forced or happen overnight.

As parents and caregivers, we may become frustrated when a child won’t sit still or focus on a task for a period of time, but it is important to remember where the child’s development stands. Consider if their inattention is developmentally typical or not. Sometimes our expectations for children’s attention spans are high, but their brains may not be ready yet. After all, the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25 or even 30, so it is no surprise that they have a lot of room for growth.

The following are ways to help support the development of your child’s attention span.

Celebrate small wins each time your child stays on task. Positive words and encouragement go a long way to motivate a child. Provide activities that encourage thinking, such as a puzzle, memory game, or activity book.


It’s important to note that screen time does not help develop attention spans. It may seem like it does since the child is sitting still, but it doesn’t provide sufficient practice, as the brain isn’t doing the work during this time. In fact, it may have the opposite effect. Some studies show that increased screen time has even been linked to reduced attention spans and concentration skills.


Other helpful ideas include breaking larger tasks into smaller ones, keeping instructions clear and simple, removing distractions, and following consistent routines. Also remember that context is a big factor. Consider situational and physical aspects such as how the child is feeling, what time of day it is, if it is a noisy environment, if they are hungry, tired, and so forth.


Additionally, providing breaks is extremely important. Breaks help kids rest, regulate, reset, and refocus their attention. While there are countless brain break ideas out there, some include various breathing techniques, guided meditations, yoga, stretching, playing, and going outside. 


Finally, if you feel that your child is struggling with their attention span beyond what you feel you can support with these strategies or beyond what is typical for their age, don’t be afraid to reach out to your child’s doctor or others to seek professional help.

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When a Child Has a Food Allergy

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By Megan Shake, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc.

Food. We all need it and can’t live without it. It’s what brings us together whether it’s a family dinner, a holiday, a work pitch-in, or a party. However, for families with food allergies, a shared meal can lead to stress, anxiety, and even fear.

Unless you or someone you know has a food allergy, you may not realize the true impact allergies can have on the child and their family. Statistics show that one in every 13 kids has a food allergy, and every 3 minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room.

While there are foods known to be top allergens, any food can be an allergen. The one thing that all food allergies have in common is that they all have the potential to be life threatening. There is no way to predict if a reaction will be mild or severe, and how someone reacts once does not predict future reactions.

So, what is it like for a child who has a food allergy? It can look different for everyone. It can mean eating anywhere outside of their home is challenging. Between snacks brought into school and meals served in the cafeteria, the child has to be careful of what is eaten at school. It can also mean eating at home before attending an event or reviewing a menu and calling to ask about ingredients before going to a restaurant.

There are things people can do to help those affected feel safer and more at ease. If someone in your life has an allergy, know what the person is allergic to and remember it.

Read food labels. Not all foods label allergens separately so reading a food label means reading the whole ingredient list to see if an allergen is listed. Also be on the lookout for the “may contain” label. Some people eat foods with these labels while others strictly avoid those foods.

Understand cross contamination. Not only does this include being aware of “may contain” labels, but it also means understanding how to put certain practices into place when preparing a meal or eating. Wiping down counter spaces after using certain ingredients or using separate utensils when cooking are great starting points.

Know potential symptoms of an allergic reaction. This could include hives, nausea, vomiting, coughing, wheezing, itching, and swelling. Also know the plan for the child if any of these symptoms were to occur. For example, an allergic reaction may mean giving Benadryl or could mean administering an Epi Pen and going to the hospital. 

Lastly, go out of your way and prepare food that is considered safe for those with allergies.  Ask questions and double check. It’s such a relief for a family to get to their destination and realize there is food that is allergy-friendly. Yes, it’s a lot of extra work, but I promise the child and their family will appreciate it more than you know!

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Trauma and the Brain

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By Megan Shake, LSW – April 19, 2022

Childhood trauma is defined as adverse childhood experiences that are emotionally painful or distressful. Trauma can be caused by a multitude of things, including but not limited to, physical abuse or neglect, emotional abuse or neglect, sexual abuse, death of a loved one, separation from a family member, poverty, serious medical conditions, accidents, disasters, domestic violence, a parent with a mental illness, substance abuse within a family, and incarceration of a family member. Ultimately, there are an unlimited number of things that can be classified as traumatic.

What the definition of trauma does not tell you is that trauma actually changes the brain. It overwhelms your thoughts, emotions, and body. When you experience something that overwhelms you, it can rewire your brain and body.

According to a report from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, not only does trauma cause neurological changes, but it can also cause immune system and hormone level changes. Additionally, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network reports that children between the ages of 3 to 6 who are exposed to trauma may have difficulty learning in school, be unable to trust others or make friends, show poor skill development, lack self-confidence, and may be more likely to experience stomach aches or headaches.

When looking at parts of the brain, studies have shown trauma effects the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that controls emotions. Trauma can cause the amygdala to be hyperactive. That means even when danger is not present, the amygdala still might activate a “fight or flight” response in a person. The result may be a panic attack, a flood of emotion, feelings of aggression, or constant stress.

Another part of the brain affected is the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain responsible for regulating emotions. Trauma can weaken the prefrontal cortex, causing difficulty concentrating or zoning out. Lastly, trauma affects the hippocampus as well. The hippocampus helps store memories. For some people, the hippocampus can have difficulty preserving other memories while retaining the traumatic event as clear as day. For others, the hippocampus blocks out part of the traumatic memory, or all of it.

So what can we do to help children who have experienced trauma? One of the most helpful things is for the child to have a caring, supportive, stable caregiver who can help regulate these changes and help the child better cope with adversity as they grow up. Just one caring and supportive adult can greatly benefit and positively impact a child throughout their life.

It is also important to seek help from a trained professional when needed, whether that be through outpatient therapy or even your school’s Youth First Social Worker. Remember, despite what these kids have been through, one caring adult to provide support can make a world of difference.  

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