How to calm a busy body?
Even with lotsa outdoor play time and running around..... That age is just busy and has a really, really short attention span. lol
I'd look for short activities that help her focus, but not to really expect much more focus than... maybe 3 minutes? lol
My daughter and I like to include physical movements into our learning. She's *really* active and so I've had to get creative about keeping her attention.
For example: We've tried alphabet hopscotch in our driveway with sidewalk chalk. and when we sing the alphabet song, she jumps up really high as she sings each letter. That's several jumps in a row! hehehe
Also, I use the phrase "catch a bubble" to mean - take a deep breath and hold it and slowly release it. We'll do that a lot. sometimes 3 times right in a row and make good eye contact and smile. I usually have her attention then.
When my daughter was your child's age, one of our favorite activities was scarf dancing. lol Don't laugh at us. It really is fun - we have all these scarves in different colors and we'd each pick a color for each hand and turn on the music and dance dance dance... she paid great attention!
My daughter is 3.75 years old now and I've been working on this stuff through trial and error.
Also, sometimes it may not seem like they are not paying attention or listening because they are doing something else, but they do seem to have a way of absorbing info even when it seems like NO WAY. lol
good luck :)
At this age, before impulse control is developed I think its important to really observe the child and introduce activities when they are ready and interested in learning rather than when it's "time" to do work. It's important to follow the child's natural rhythm and pinpoint what part of the day is the best time. For DS it's after his nap so while he's sleeping I get an activity ready to present when he's woken up. Mornings on the other hand, are the worst times for him.
It's also ok to present the activity (or try to) and if LO can't get into it, you can redirect to something else and remove the activity to reintroduce later. The type of activity is important as well. DS is really into rolling the mat and pouring right now so when I introduce spooning or sorting or folding, something may very likely get dumped/poured or rolled instead of folded.
Even if the activity doesn't work for them in the moment that's ok because their absorbent mind is still absorbing the work, even if they aren't interested in carrying it out and it can be reintroduced later.
Environment is also very important so it may be helpful to simplify the playspace or do activities in another room. We set up our classroom upstairs in our masterbedroom which is a much more calm environment for DS. I'll also do some work with him at the kitchen table because he is used to the kitchen being a place to focus and work from helping us cook his whole life. As he gets older we'll again try to merge the classroom and playroom but for now this works best.
Attached, music loving, seaside dwelling, traditional food eating, herbalist in training, Montessori mama to DS 5/30/2010 and DD 3/26/2015, both born safely at home Rockaway Beach, NYC