Young kids often cannot focus for long—they have lots on their minds. They also have a lot of energy and need to move around. They sometimes act without thinking, sometimes leading to hurt feelings, bruises, and scrapes.
As kids grow older, we hope they start to outgrow these behaviours. However, some kids take longer to develop. For some, not paying attention, being overly active, and acting without thinking can cause problems at home and school.
What is typical?
Many kids under 6 years old find it hard to pay attention, stay still, or think before acting. As they get older, expectations for them grow. If they cannot keep up with these demands, they may have trouble in school and other activities.
Kids and teens can also struggle to focus, sit still, or control impulses if:
- They lack sleep
- They do not eat well
- They feel anxious or stressed
- They feel sad
- They spend too much time on phones or tablets
Even if a child is slow to mature, they usually catch up by young adulthood.
When should I be concerned?
Caregivers should worry if these problems cause issues at home, with friends, or at school. Watch out for these signs:
Inattention:
- Making frequent careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Getting distracted easily and distracting others
- Having a hard time listening – Struggling to follow instructions
- Finding long tasks very hard
- Forgetting things often
- Losing items frequently
- Being disorganized
Hyperactivity:
- Fidgeting
- Squirming
- Trouble staying seated in one spot
- Running or climbing too much so that it becomes disruptive to others
- Having a hard time playing quietly
Impulsivity:
- Being impatient
- Struggling to wait for their turn
- Interrupting others
- Blurting things out
Some kids might have only a few of these issues, while others have more. If a child has problems with paying attention, they often also have issues with being overly active and impulsive. This can make it hard for them at school and home.
What can I do to help?
Here are some tips for caregivers:
- Talk to your child’s teacher. The teacher can tell you if these problems happen at school, too.
- Talk to your child. Find out how long they can focus.
- Break down big tasks. Help your child split big tasks into smaller steps.
- Create schedules. Make daily schedules with breaks and set goals with time limits.
- Use checklists. Help your child use a planner or make lists to remember tasks.
- Set rewards. Make a system of rewards to keep your child motivated.
- Give calm reminders. Remind your child softly when they need to stay seated.
What kind of professional support can I seek out?
Do not feel embarrassed or guilty if your child struggles with these issues. Help is available.
Talk to your child’s teacher who may be able to advise if the struggles your child is having is appropriate for their age, or whether additional support is needed.
Talk to your child’s paediatrician or family doctor. They can refer you to other specialists, such as mental health professionals.
Mental health professionals can help both the child and the caregivers. They can work with you to support your child at home and in therapy.
Public services are also available at your local clinic.
When looking for affordable services, it may also be helpful to explore local non-governmental organisations which offer services to families.
Local universities may offer services to the public as part of professional training programmes.
Please don’t give up if you don’t have success in your first attempts at getting help. Go back to the services listed above and look at our online list for additional resources or support. Your child is worth the effort.
Where to find more information
For detailed information on mental health conditions, visit our guides for health professionals.