Step 1 of 4

Let's build your child's
behavioural picture.

This takes about 5 minutes. You'll tell us a little about your child and what you're noticing at home. We'll use this — plus three days of structured observation — to identify what's actually driving the struggle and tell you precisely where to start.

There are no right or wrong answers. The more honest you are, the more accurate the picture will be.

Step 2 of 4

About your child

We use your child's name so the strategies feel personal to you, and their age to calibrate our recommendations to where their brain actually is right now.

Please enter your child's name
Please enter an age between 5 and 12

Step 3 of 4

What are you
noticing at home?

Select everything that feels familiar. This shapes the picture before the observation begins — and helps us point you toward the right starting strategy.

Won't start without a fight Starts but gives up quickly Easily distracted Gets emotional or upset Needs constant reminders Never finishes Only works if I'm sitting there Shuts down completely
Rarely — most sessions are fine Sometimes — maybe once or twice a week Often — more sessions are difficult than not Almost always — it's hard to remember a smooth one
A few weeks Several months About a year As long as I can remember

Step 4 of 4

Before you start
observing.

Two things to know before Day 1 begins. The full brain primer — sleep, food, screens, activity, and motivation — is waiting for you on the next page. This is just what matters right now.

What's normal at their age
Enter your child's age above and we'll show you what's developmentally realistic to expect during study time.
Ages 5–6 · Attention window 10–15 minutes on a task they don't want to do is genuinely good at this age. Expecting more is working against the brain, not with it. Emotional meltdowns at homework time are developmentally normal — the self-regulation system hasn't finished building yet.
Ages 7–8 · Attention window 15–20 minutes of focused work is a realistic and good target. Two blocks with a break in between is a productive session. Emotional resistance at the start of homework is still common at this age — the prefrontal cortex is developing but easily overwhelmed by frustration or transitions.
Ages 9–10 · Attention window 20–25 minutes of focused work is achievable with the right structure. Metacognition is beginning — your child can start to notice when they're off-task, though self-correction is still inconsistent. A child who still needs a parent nearby at this age is not behind.
Ages 11–12 · Attention window 25–35 minutes of independent focused work is realistic with good structure. Independent initiation — starting without being asked — is an appropriate goal at this age. If it's not happening, that's a meaningful signal. It's exactly what this platform is designed to address.
Your state matters too
Children pick up on a parent's emotional state faster than we realise — before a word is said. During these three days, observe as you normally would. Don't introduce any new approaches yet. We need to see what's actually happening, not a best-case version of it.

The brain primer takes about 5 minutes to read.
Not The Kid does not provide clinical assessments. If you have concerns about your child's development, please consult a qualified specialist.