Focus scenarios for kids: 27 situations about concentration and distraction

By the Life Scenario team · Updated · For children 6–14

27 situations where a child has to keep their attention on one thing: a phone that buzzes halfway through homework, a game update that drops during research time, a presentation interrupted by whispering. Read one together and ask what would pull them off track.

Focus is rarely only about effort. In these scenarios attention is pulled away by something outside, like friends, notifications or parents arguing in the next room, or by something inside, like a worry, a fight with a friend or the feeling that a drawing isn’t good enough. Naming which one it is helps a child choose what to do.

The scenarios were written by the Life Scenario team together with child psychologists. The first 7 appear here in full, exactly as they do in the game, and your child can try them without an account. The other 20 are listed further down by title and opening line, and play in the game with a free account. To make a free printable, use your browser’s Print command: the full scenarios print as a plain list.

7 focus scenarios to read in full

  1. Public Eyes

    Ages 8–14

    You’re presenting in class, and halfway through, someone in the front row starts whispering.

    You suddenly forget your next line and can only think about what they’re saying.

    You freeze, trying to remember your words, but your brain feels blank.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: confidence, self-awareness, resilience

    Practise this one: Public Eyes

  2. Homework fight?

    Ages 10–14

    You’re trying to finish a big assignment that’s due tomorrow — one that could raise your grade.

    Halfway through, you hear your parents arguing again in the next room.

    You try to block it out, but the voices get louder, and you catch your name.

    Your chest tightens. You can’t focus anymore.

    You know the deadline is close, but all you can think about is what’s happening at home.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: self-control, empathy, resilience

    Practise this one: Homework fight?

  3. Interrupted conversations

    Ages 6–10

    Your parents are talking on the phone, and you really want to tell them something exciting. What’s the best way to handle it?

    Also practises: social awareness, self-control

    Practise this one: Interrupted conversations

  4. It doesn't add up!

    Ages 6–10

    You’re working on a tricky maths problem in class. You try a few times but keep getting the answer wrong. Some classmates finish quickly. You feel frustrated and want to give up. What do you do?

    Also practises: confidence, resilience, self-awareness

    Practise this one: It doesn't add up!

  5. When Mistakes Make Us Giggle

    Ages 6–14

    In maths class, your teacher asks for an answer and you give the wrong one. Some of your friends giggle behind you. What do you do?

    Also practises: self-control, social awareness, responsibility

    Practise this one: When Mistakes Make Us Giggle

  6. Recess Dare

    Ages 8–14

    At recess, a group dares you to ring the fire bell. You know it's wrong, but they are all pressuring you. They say you’re ‘too scared’ to do it. What do you do?

    Also practises: social awareness, self-control, responsibility

    Practise this one: Recess Dare

  7. Mystery Text

    Ages 10–14

    You get a message from an unknown username saying they know you from school. They want to chat privately. What do you do?

    Also practises: self-control, social awareness, online safety

    Practise this one: Mystery Text

More scenarios in the game

20 more focus scenarios to play in the game. Tap one to sign up free — it will be the first scenario your child plays.

  1. Art troubles Ages 8–14

    During art class, you’re trying to finish a drawing, but your mind keeps saying, “This isn’t good enough.

    Play in the game

  2. Classroom Presentation Ages 8–14

    You have a big presentation coming up, but your friends keep inviting you to chat and play instead of practicing.

    Play in the game

  3. Keeping On Track Ages 8–14

    While working on a group science project, one member keeps getting distracted and doing silly things.

    Play in the game

  4. Maths test Ages 8–14

    You are halfway through a maths test but can't concentrate.

    Play in the game

  5. Missed Pass Ages 8–14

    During soccer training, you keep losing concentration because you’re still upset about a fight with your friend.

    Play in the game

  6. Noise in my head Ages 8–14

    You sit down for a big maths test.

    Play in the game

  7. Too much time. Too little Execution Ages 8–14

    You’re writing an essay, but every time you reread a sentence, you think it’s not good enough.

    Play in the game

  8. Wandering Mind Ages 8–14

    You sit down to study, but your thoughts keep jumping — to your friend’s text, tomorrow’s game, or what you’ll eat for dinner.

    Play in the game

  9. Phone distaction Ages 10–12

    You’re halfway through your homework when your phone buzzes with a message from your friend.

    Play in the game

  10. Call for help at the wrong time Ages 10–14

    You’re finally focused on studying for an important exam.

    Play in the game

  11. Distracting Friend Ages 10–14

    In class, your teacher assigns quiet reading time.

    Play in the game

  12. Game Time Taker Ages 10–14

    You’re meant to be researching a history topic online — but a new game update just dropped, and a notification pops up saying your friends are playing.

    Play in the game

  13. Maths time out Ages 10–14

    You’re halfway through a math test and you notice the clock — only ten minutes left.

    Play in the game

  14. Missed Dinner Ages 10–14

    You’ve been preparing for weeks for a school presentation that happens tomorrow — it’s the biggest grade of the term.

    Play in the game

  15. Perfection Problem Ages 10–14

    You’re studying for a math exam and want to do well — but every time you make a mistake, you erase the whole page and start again.

    Play in the game

  16. Quiet Worry Ages 10–14

    You’re trying to finish a big science project.

    Play in the game

  17. Basketball politics Ages 12–14

    You’ve just joined the school basketball team.

    Play in the game

  18. School project curve ball Ages 12–14

    You’ve just moved schools and get assigned to a group science project with Aisha and Zac.

    Play in the game

  19. The Night before Ages 12–14

    It’s the night before your big exam.

    Play in the game

  20. Torn Ages 12–14

    You’re working on your final school project that’s due tomorrow — it’s worth a big part of your grade.

    Play in the game

How can you use these at home or in class?

  1. Ask your child what is pulling the character’s attention away, and whether it comes from outside or from their own head.
  2. Ask what the character could change: put the phone in another room, ask a friend to chat later, write the worry down to come back to.
  3. Pick one move your child could use in their own week, and agree on when they will try it.
  4. Talk about when stopping is the right call. A friend who needs help or a parent who asks for a hand can matter more than finishing the task.

Questions parents and teachers ask

How can I help my child focus on homework?

Start by finding out what pulls them away. A phone or a game can go in another room until the work is done. A worry is often easier to put aside once it has been written down or told to you. The scenarios here let you talk about it without it being about their own homework.

What age are these focus scenarios for?

Ages 6 to 14, and each scenario shows its own range. Most are written for 8 and up and are set around tests, projects and phones. A tricky maths problem and parents busy on the phone are two of the ones for younger children.

Is focus the same as self-control?

They are related. Self-control is stopping yourself from acting on an urge. Focus is keeping your attention where you want it. Turning away from a game notification to finish homework uses both.

Are these focus scenarios free?

The scenarios shown in full are free to read and print, and a child can try them in Life Scenario without an account. The others play in the game with a free account, and new accounts get 5 free scenarios.

Guides for parents on this

One situation in depth

My child freezes when presenting in front of the classHalfway through a presentation, your child’s mind goes blank. Lines to get going again, and how to prepare at home for the next one.

More scenario lists

The whole scenario library