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Quick Answer
Concussion Signs in Children can include headache, dizziness, vomiting, balance trouble, vision changes, unusual tiredness, confusion, slow answers, memory or focus problems, mood changes, sleep changes, and behaviour that is not normal for that child. Babies and toddlers may instead become unusually fussy, clingy, unsteady, sleepy, uninterested in play, or unwilling to eat.
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury. It can happen after a bump or blow to the head, but the head does not always have to strike something. A hard jolt to the body can also make the brain move quickly inside the skull.
A child does not have to be knocked unconscious to have a concussion. In fact, many children with a concussion stay awake the whole time.
Symptoms may start right away. They can also become easier to notice over the next several hours or days. This is one reason parents should keep watching for changes after a possible head injury.
Get emergency help now if a child develops a worsening headache that will not go away, repeated vomiting, a seizure, increasing confusion or unusual behavior, weakness or numbness, poor coordination, slurred speech, one pupil larger than the other, double vision, loss of consciousness with increasing drowsiness, or difficulty waking. An infant or toddler who cannot be consoled or will not nurse or eat after a head injury also needs urgent assessment. Call your local emergency service or go to the nearest emergency department.
This article is for general information and education. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Table of Contents
- What a concussion is
- 12 concussion signs in children
- Emergency concussion danger signs
- How signs differ by age
- What to do after a possible concussion
- Should a child sleep after a concussion?
- How concussion is diagnosed
- Recovery during the first 48 hours
- Returning to school
- Returning to sports
- When symptoms last longer
- Common mistakes parents can avoid
- Conclusion
- References and Sources
- Related Guides
- About the Author
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a concussion in a child?
A concussion temporarily changes how the brain works. It is usually called a mild traumatic brain injury, or mild TBI.
The word mild describes the type of brain injury. It does not mean parents should ignore the symptoms. A child with a possible concussion still needs careful observation and appropriate medical assessment.
A concussion can follow a fall, sports collision, playground accident, bicycle crash, car crash, or another event that makes the head and brain move quickly.
There may be no cut, bruise, or bump on the scalp. A child can look normal from the outside while having symptoms such as headache, dizziness, foggy thinking, nausea, or unusual tiredness.
There is also no single home test that can prove a child has a concussion. The safest approach is to notice changes, watch for danger signs, stop activities that could cause another head injury, and involve a healthcare professional when concussion is possible.
12 Concussion Signs in Children
Not every child has the same symptoms. One child may mainly complain about a headache. Another may be dizzy and irritable. A younger child may simply act different from normal.
The following 12 groups cover the main changes parents may notice.
1. Headache or pressure in the head
Headache is one of the most common symptoms after a concussion. An older child may say the head hurts, feels heavy, or feels like there is pressure inside it.
A younger child may not use those words. They may hold their head, cry more, avoid activity, or seem uncomfortable.
A headache that is getting worse and will not go away is different from a mild, stable headache. A worsening headache after a head injury is an emergency warning sign and should be assessed urgently.
2. Nausea or vomiting
A child may feel sick to the stomach after a concussion. Vomiting can also occur, especially early after the injury.
Repeated vomiting is more concerning than a brief feeling of nausea. If vomiting keeps happening after a bump, blow, or jolt, seek urgent medical care.
3. Dizziness or balance trouble
A child may say the room feels as if it is moving. They may feel lightheaded or unsteady.
You might notice stumbling, unusual clumsiness, difficulty walking in a straight line, or needing more support than usual.
Balance changes can be harder to judge in toddlers because their normal walking may already look less steady. Compare what you see with the child's usual movement.
4. Blurry or double vision
A concussion can affect vision. A child may report blurry vision, trouble focusing, or seeing two images.
They may also find reading or looking at a screen uncomfortable.
New double vision after a head injury needs particular attention. If it appears with other danger signs or is severe, seek urgent assessment.
5. Sensitivity to light or noise
Normal light may suddenly seem too bright. Everyday sounds may feel unusually loud or irritating.
A child may ask you to dim the room, close curtains, lower the television, or move away from a noisy place.
This does not mean a child must spend days in a dark, silent room. During recovery, activity should usually be adjusted to what the child can tolerate rather than eliminated for a long period.
6. Feeling tired, sluggish, or low in energy
A child may become tired much faster than normal. They may want more breaks or have less energy for play, schoolwork, or conversation.
Fatigue is common after concussion, but extreme drowsiness is different. A child who is increasingly difficult to wake or cannot stay awake after a head injury needs emergency care.
7. Appearing dazed, stunned, foggy, or slowed down
Parents may notice a blank look or a child who seems less alert than usual.
The child may take longer to answer a simple question. They may say they feel “foggy” or that thinking takes more effort.
Increasing confusion, failure to recognize familiar people or places, or rapidly worsening mental status is not something to watch casually at home. Seek emergency help.
8. Problems with attention or concentration
School-age children may have trouble following a conversation, reading, doing homework, or staying focused on something that would normally hold their attention.
This can become more obvious once the child tries to return to school.
Concentration problems after a head injury should not be treated as laziness or poor behavior. They may be part of the child's concussion symptoms.
9. Memory problems
A child may not remember what happened just before or after the injury.
They might repeat a question or forget a recent conversation. Some children remember the event itself but have difficulty taking in new information afterward.
Tell the healthcare professional about any memory loss because it helps them understand the injury.
10. Mood, behavior, or personality changes
Children can become more irritable, worried, emotional, sad, or easily frustrated after concussion.
A child who normally copes well with small problems may suddenly cry or become angry over minor things.
These changes can be part of the injury. However, strongly worsening or very unusual behavior, especially with confusion or agitation, can also be a danger sign.
11. Sleep changes
A child may sleep more than usual, sleep less, or find it hard to fall asleep.
Do not judge concussion from sleep alone. Look at the whole pattern of symptoms and the child's level of alertness while awake.
Sleeping after a minor head injury is not automatically dangerous. The important question is whether the child can be roused normally and whether a healthcare professional has given special instructions.
12. Age-specific changes in eating, play, speech, or comfort seeking
Babies and toddlers cannot reliably say, “I feel dizzy,” “my vision is blurry,” or “I cannot concentrate.” Their concussion signs may therefore look different.
A very young child may cry more, become unusually clingy, refuse nursing or food, stop enjoying normal play, need more help than usual, speak more slowly, appear dazed, or become more unsteady.
These observations matter because parents and caregivers usually know the child's normal behavior better than anyone else.
| Sign | What the child may say | What you may notice |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | “My head hurts” or “there is pressure” | Holding the head, avoiding activity, discomfort |
| Dizziness | “I feel wobbly” or “the room moves” | Stumbling or unusual balance trouble |
| Vision changes | “Things are blurry” or “I see double” | Trouble reading or focusing |
| Thinking changes | “I feel foggy” | Slow answers, poor focus, repeated questions |
| Mood changes | May say they feel worried, sad, or irritated | More crying, anger, anxiety, or frustration |
| Young-child changes | May not be able to explain symptoms | Clinginess, feeding changes, less play, unusual crying |
Emergency concussion danger signs
A concussion and a more serious brain injury can begin with some of the same symptoms. Parents are not expected to tell the difference at home.
Call your local emergency service or go to an emergency department immediately after a head or body impact if your child has a serious warning sign.
| Danger sign | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Worsening headache | Pain keeps increasing or does not go away | Seek emergency assessment |
| Repeated vomiting | Vomiting happens again and again after the injury | Seek emergency assessment |
| Seizure | Shaking, twitching, or convulsions occur | Call emergency services |
| Increasing confusion | Child becomes more restless, agitated, or disoriented | Seek emergency assessment |
| Trouble waking | Child becomes increasingly drowsy or cannot be awakened normally | Call emergency services |
| Weakness or numbness | New loss of strength, feeling, or coordination appears | Call emergency services |
| Slurred speech | Speech becomes unclear or unusual | Call emergency services |
| Unequal pupils or double vision | One pupil appears larger or the child suddenly sees double | Seek emergency assessment |
| Infant cannot be consoled or fed | Baby will not stop crying or will not nurse or eat | Seek urgent assessment |
If your child has neck pain after a serious fall, collision, or high-speed injury, avoid unnecessary movement and call emergency services. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
How do concussion signs differ by age?
Babies and toddlers
Concussion can be difficult to recognize in a baby because the child cannot describe headache, dizziness, memory trouble, or sensitivity to light.
Look for changes from that child's normal pattern. This may include refusing milk or food, crying much more than usual, being hard to comfort, becoming unusually clingy, sleeping differently, seeming less interested in toys, moving less confidently, or appearing dazed.
A behavior change does not prove concussion. It is a reason to take the injury seriously and seek professional advice when concussion is possible.
Preschool children
Preschool children may be able to describe pain but may struggle to explain dizziness or “brain fog.”
You may notice slower speech, more tantrums, unusual sadness, poor balance, vomiting, tiredness, less interest in play, or needing more help with normal tasks.
School-age children
Older children can usually describe symptoms more clearly. They may report headache, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, light or noise sensitivity, fatigue, or feeling foggy.
School often reveals thinking symptoms. Reading, writing, concentrating, remembering instructions, or spending time in a noisy classroom may be harder than usual.
Teenagers
Teens can have the same physical, thinking, mood, and sleep symptoms as younger school-age children.
They may also feel pressure to return quickly to sport, school, driving, social events, or part-time work. Encourage honest symptom reporting. Hiding symptoms can increase the chance of returning to risky activity too soon.
What should I do after a possible concussion?
Start with safety rather than trying to decide immediately whether the injury is definitely a concussion.
Stop the activity
If the injury happened during sport, rough play, cycling, skating, or another high-risk activity, stop the child from continuing.
A second head injury before the brain has recovered can be dangerous. Do not send a child back into the same game because they say they feel better a few minutes later.
Check for emergency danger signs
Look at your child’s alertness, speech, movement, behavior, vomiting, headache, vision, and ability to recognize you and respond normally.
If an emergency sign appears, stop monitoring at home and seek emergency care.
Write down what happened
If possible, note the time of injury, how it happened, whether the child lost consciousness, whether they seemed confused, whether they vomited, and what symptoms developed.
This information can help the healthcare professional.
Contact a healthcare professional
CDC guidance recommends medical evaluation for a child with a possible concussion. A professional can examine the child, consider the injury mechanism and symptoms, and decide whether further tests are needed.
Do not use an online checklist as a substitute for that assessment.
Should a child sleep after a concussion?
A common myth says a child must never sleep after a head injury. That is not a general rule.
If the child has been assessed appropriately, has no emergency danger signs, and is tired, sleep can be part of normal recovery. Nemours KidsHealth and NHS guidance both note that a child with a minor head injury does not automatically need to be kept awake.
The important distinction is between normal sleep and a child who is becoming abnormally drowsy or cannot be awakened.
Follow the specific instructions given by your child’s healthcare professional. If the child becomes increasingly difficult to wake, develops worsening symptoms, or seems very different from normal, get urgent help.
How is concussion diagnosed?
There is no single blood test, scan, or home test that confirms every concussion.
A healthcare professional usually asks about the injury and symptoms and performs an examination. They may check memory, concentration, balance, eye movements, coordination, and other neurological functions.
A CT scan or MRI is not routinely needed just to diagnose concussion. Imaging is used when the medical team is concerned about a more serious structural injury such as bleeding or a skull injury.
This is why two children with similar-looking bumps may receive different testing plans. Age, symptoms, the force of injury, repeated vomiting, loss of consciousness, worsening headache, examination findings, and other risk factors can change the decision.
Recovery during the first 24 to 48 hours
Older advice often told children to stay completely inactive until every symptom disappeared. Current pediatric guidance is more balanced.
During roughly the first 24 to 48 hours, use relative rest. This means reducing activities that clearly worsen symptoms while still allowing quiet daily activities and light movement that the child can tolerate.
A child does not usually need to lie in a dark room all day. Gentle interaction, meals, normal hygiene, short walks, and simple calm activities may be reasonable when they do not cause a clear symptom increase.
Screen use may need to be reduced if it causes headache, dizziness, nausea, eye strain, or other symptoms. The goal is not a permanent screen ban. It is to avoid repeatedly pushing symptoms much higher.
After the first day or two
Children should usually begin a gradual return to normal non-sport activity as tolerated.
If an activity produces more than a mild, brief increase in symptoms, reduce the intensity, take a break, and try a smaller amount later.
Activities with a meaningful risk of another head impact, fall, or collision are different. They should remain restricted until the child has progressed safely and received appropriate clearance.
| Stage | Helpful approach | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| First 24–48 hours | Relative rest, normal sleep, simple daily activities, light movement as tolerated | Contact sport, rough play, hard exercise, activities likely to cause another head hit |
| Early recovery | Gradually increase reading, schoolwork, walking, social activity, and routine tasks | Pushing through a large symptom increase |
| School return | Use breaks or temporary adjustments when needed | Keeping a child out for long periods solely to wait for every mild symptom to disappear |
| Sport return | Follow a staged return and healthcare guidance | Same-day return or full-contact play before recovery and clearance |
Returning to school after concussion
School and sport are not the same thing.
A child often does not need to be completely symptom-free before beginning a gradual return to learning. Current pediatric concussion guidance supports returning to school as soon as the child can tolerate cognitive activity, with temporary adjustments when needed.
Those adjustments might include shorter school days, rest breaks, reduced homework, more time for assignments, quieter work areas, fewer tests, or reduced screen exposure when screens trigger symptoms.
The right plan depends on the child's symptoms. A child with headaches may need different support from one whose main problem is dizziness or poor concentration.
Stay in contact with the teacher or school nurse where available. Improvement at home does not always mean the child is ready for a full school load. Busy classrooms place much greater demands on attention, vision, memory, and noise tolerance.
If school activity makes symptoms much worse, discuss the pattern with the healthcare professional instead of simply forcing the child through it.
Returning to sports after concussion
Sports require more caution because another collision, fall, or blow to the head could occur.
A child with a possible concussion should be removed from sport and should not return to the same game or practice that day.
Once the child has returned to normal non-sport activities and school is going well, the healthcare professional can guide a staged return to exercise and sport.
The progression usually starts with low-risk activity and gradually adds more exertion. Contact and high-risk stages come later.
Do not skip steps because a tournament, match, tryout, or important event is approaching. The goal is safe recovery, not meeting a calendar date.
Rules for formal medical clearance can differ by country, state, school system, and sports organization. Follow the rules where your child participates.
When concussion symptoms last longer
Many children improve steadily, but recovery time varies. It is not possible to promise that every child will feel normal by a particular day.
Current CDC clinical guidance recommends further assessment when symptoms do not resolve as expected, especially when problems continue for several weeks.
Contact your child's healthcare professional sooner if symptoms are getting worse rather than better.
Persistent problems can include headaches, dizziness, vision trouble, sleep problems, fatigue, concentration difficulty, mood changes, or difficulty returning to school.
These symptoms may require more targeted care. Depending on the problem, the child may be referred to a concussion clinic, rehabilitation professional, neurologist, sports medicine clinician, vision or vestibular specialist, psychologist, or another appropriate professional.
The important point is not to assume that ongoing symptoms are something a child simply has to endure.
Common concussion mistakes parents can avoid
Assuming no loss of consciousness means no concussion
Many children with concussion never pass out. Staying awake does not rule it out.
Judging only by the size of the bump
A large-looking scalp bump does not tell you exactly what happened inside the skull. Likewise, a child can have concussion symptoms without an obvious bump.
Returning to sport on the same day
A child with a suspected concussion should come out of play. Feeling better after a short rest is not enough to prove that returning is safe.
Keeping the child in a dark room for days
A short period of relative rest is appropriate, but prolonged complete isolation and inactivity are no longer the usual approach for uncomplicated concussion recovery.
Forcing schoolwork through strong symptoms
Activity is helpful when it is increased gradually. It is not helpful to repeatedly push the child until symptoms become much worse.
Assuming every child needs a CT scan
CT can be important when clinicians suspect a more serious injury, but it is not routinely used simply to prove a concussion.
Ignoring behavior changes in a young child
A baby or toddler may show concussion through feeding, sleep, play, crying, speech, balance, or comfort-seeking changes rather than describing pain.
Using a fixed recovery deadline
Recovery is individual. Use symptoms, function, healthcare guidance, and school or sports requirements rather than a promised number of days.
Conclusion
Concussion Signs in Children can affect the body, thinking, mood, sleep, balance, behavior, feeding, and play. The signs also change with age, so a toddler may look very different from a teenager with the same type of injury.
After a bump, blow, fall, or jolt, watch for changes from your child's normal behavior. Seek emergency care for danger signs such as worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizure, increasing confusion, weakness, unequal pupils, double vision, or trouble waking.
If concussion is possible but no emergency sign is present, stop risky activity and arrange appropriate medical assessment. Then use a gradual, symptom-guided return to daily life, school, and eventually sport.
References and Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Signs and Symptoms of Concussion,” updated September 15, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/signs-symptoms/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “What to do After a Concussion,” updated September 15, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/guidelines/recovery-from-concussion.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Mild TBI,” updated July 29, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/hcp/clinical-guidance/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Safety Guidelines for Pediatric Mild TBI,” updated July 29, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/hcp/clinical-guidance/pediatric-mtbi.html
American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. “Concussions in Children & Teens: What Parents Need to Know.”
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Concussions.aspx
Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion Care. Pediatric concussion recommendations and return-to-school/activity guidance.
https://pedsconcussion.com/recommendation-list/
Nemours KidsHealth. “Head Injuries: First Aid,” medically reviewed September 2024.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-injuries-sheet.html
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. “Kids Health Info: Head injuries.”
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/head_injury/
Related Guides
- Child Health and Safety Guide - the main Parnthub hub for childhood illness, injuries, prevention, and knowing when to get help.
- Common Childhood Injuries - first aid and warning signs for common accidents beyond concussion.
- Child First Aid Tips - practical emergency actions for head injury, choking, burns, bleeding, seizures, and other urgent situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs of a concussion in a child?
Early signs can include headache, dizziness, nausea, balance trouble, vision changes, unusual tiredness, confusion, slow answers, memory or concentration problems, sensitivity to light or noise, mood changes, and feeling unlike normal. Symptoms can begin immediately or become noticeable later.
Can a child have a concussion without losing consciousness?
Yes. A child does not need to be knocked unconscious to have a concussion. Many children remain awake after the injury. Look at symptoms and changes in behavior rather than using loss of consciousness as the only test.
What are concussion signs in a toddler?
A toddler may become unusually fussy or clingy, cry more, eat less, sleep differently, lose interest in normal play, seem dazed, speak more slowly, vomit, or become more unsteady. Young children may show behavior changes because they cannot clearly describe headache or dizziness.
When should I take my child to the emergency department after a head injury?
Get emergency help for a worsening headache that does not go away, repeated vomiting, seizure, increasing confusion or agitation, weakness or numbness, poor coordination, slurred speech, one pupil larger than the other, double vision, increasing drowsiness, difficulty waking, or another serious change after a head injury.
Can my child sleep after a concussion?
A child with a minor head injury does not automatically need to be kept awake. If there are no emergency danger signs and a healthcare professional has not given different instructions, normal sleep can be part of recovery. Difficulty waking the child or increasing abnormal drowsiness requires urgent medical attention.
Does every child with concussion need a CT scan?
No. CT or MRI is not routinely used simply to diagnose concussion. A healthcare professional decides whether imaging is needed based on the injury, symptoms, examination, age, and signs that could suggest a more serious brain or skull injury.
How long should a child rest after a concussion?
Current pediatric guidance generally recommends relative rest for about the first 24 to 48 hours rather than prolonged complete inactivity. After that, children can gradually increase normal non-contact activities as tolerated while avoiding activities that could cause another head injury.
When can a child go back to school after a concussion?
Children can usually start a gradual return to school when they can tolerate cognitive activity, even if mild symptoms remain. Temporary breaks, reduced workload, shorter days, or other adjustments may help. The plan should be based on symptoms and healthcare guidance.
When can a child return to sports?
A child with a suspected concussion should not return to sport on the same day. Return to sport should happen through a gradual progression after normal non-sport activities and school have been re-established, with healthcare guidance and any medical clearance required by local rules.
Can concussion symptoms appear the next day?
Yes. Some concussion signs and symptoms appear immediately, while others may take hours or days to become noticeable. Keep watching for changes in headache, balance, thinking, mood, sleep, behavior, feeding, and activity after the injury.
