As a parent, worrying when your 4-, 5-, or 6-year-old seems distracted during tennis lessons is natural. You might notice them looking around, playing with their racket, or even running off to chase a butterfly instead of focusing on the tennis drills. Before you start panicking and wondering if your child has ADHD, take a deep breath—this is entirely normal!

Understanding Their Developmental Stage

At this young age, children are still developing their attention spans. The average attention span for a 4-year-old is around 5–10 minutes, while a 6-year-old might stretch to 15–20 minutes. Expecting them to focus on an entire tennis lessons like an older child is unrealistic. Their brains are wired for exploration, play, and bursts of engagement rather than sustained concentration.

Why It’s Normal for Kids to Lose Focus on Tennis

1. Their World is Full of Distractions—Young kids are naturally curious. A bouncing ball, a bird flying overhead, or even their shoes can become more interesting than the coach’s instructions.

2. They Learn Through Play: Structured learning isn’t always the best way for kids at this age to absorb information. They need movement, variety, and fun to stay engaged.

3. Energy Levels Fluctuate: Some days, kids are full of energy and ready to engage. Other days, they may be tired, hungry, or just not in the mood to focus.

How Parents Can Help

• Adjust Your Expectations: Your child is not training for Wimbledon at age five! Tennis at this stage should be about fun, movement, and gradual skill-building.

• Encourage and praise effort: instead of focusing on how much attention they pay, celebrate their enthusiasm, improvement, and participation.

• Trust the Process: A good tennis coach understands child development and will use creative ways to keep kids engaged without overwhelming them.

• Stay Positive: If you’re frustrated, your child will sense it. Keep your energy light and encouraging, and they’ll enjoy the game more.

• Do Not Interrupt the Lesson: Parents should refrain from interrupting the lesson or talking to the coach during class. This can distract both the coach and the students. Trust the professionals—you are paying us for our expertise, and we need the space to do our job effectively.

Final Thoughts

If your child appears distracted in tennis classes, don’t jump to conclusions about attention disorders. Most likely, they are simply being a normal, active child. Give them time, trust the process, and let tennis be a fun and positive experience. The focus and discipline will come with age, but for now, let them enjoy the game at their own pace!

This blog was written by Ivan Krcelic, Director of Tennis.