A knock to the head during a weekend football match, a netball collision, or a fall from a bike can leave parents unsure of what to do next. Concussion doesn’t always look dramatic — sometimes a child seems fine at first, then symptoms emerge hours later. Knowing how to support your child in those first days can make a real difference to their comfort and recovery.
This guide walks through what to expect after a concussion, how to help your child through the early recovery period, and when it may be time to seek further support. It is general education only and does not replace an individual assessment by a qualified health professional.
What Happens in the First 24 to 48 Hours
Concussion is a brain injury caused by a knock to the head or a forceful jolt to the body that transmits force to the brain. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, fatigue, trouble concentrating, or changes in mood. In young athletes across the Mornington Peninsula, these symptoms often show up during or after training or a game, but they can also develop gradually over the following day.
In the first day or two, the priority is simple: reduce demands on the brain. This means limiting screen time, schoolwork, loud environments, and intense physical activity. Complete Concussions (CCMI) frameworks, which guide our approach at The Seaside Osteo, emphasise a short period of relative rest followed by a gradual, symptom-guided return to normal activity rather than prolonged bed rest in a dark room.
Watching for Warning Signs
Most children recover well with time and appropriate support, but some symptoms need urgent medical attention. Take your child to an emergency department or call an ambulance if you notice any of the following:
- Worsening headache that doesn’t settle
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasing confusion, drowsiness, or difficulty waking
- Seizures, weakness, or numbness in the limbs
- Slurred speech or unequal pupil size
These signs can indicate a more serious injury and should never be managed at home. If in doubt, seek medical review promptly.
Easing Back Into School
Once the first day or two of relative rest has passed, most children benefit from a gradual return to school rather than an extended absence. Missing large chunks of school can add stress and make the return harder later on. A staged approach — starting with shorter days, extra breaks, reduced screen and homework load, and quiet spaces to retreat to if symptoms flare — tends to work well for junior sports players and other children alike.
Talk to your child’s teachers early. Many schools on the Mornington Peninsula are familiar with concussion management plans and can adjust workload and testing schedules while your child recovers. Communication between home, school, and any treating health professional helps keep the plan consistent.
Returning to Sport Safely
Return to sport should always come after return to school, and only once your child is symptom-free during normal daily activities. Rushing back onto the field, court, or pitch — whether that’s AFL, netball, football (soccer), basketball, or cricket — before the brain has had time to recover can increase the risk of further injury.
A graded return-to-sport protocol, consistent with AFL concussion guidelines and CCMI frameworks, typically moves through light activity, then non-contact training, before a gradual return to full contact. This staged process is designed to support informed decision-making around a safe return; it does not guarantee against reinjury, which is why each step should be guided by how your child is actually feeling, not just how much time has passed.
The Role of Concussion Testing
Baseline and post-injury concussion testing can provide useful, objective information to support the decisions coaches, parents, and health professionals make during recovery. Testing doesn’t replace a full clinical assessment, but it can help build a clearer picture of how a child’s balance, memory, and reaction time compare to their own baseline, or to expected norms if no baseline exists.
Families across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud, and Rye increasingly ask about concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula as part of a broader, cautious approach to junior sport. If your child’s club or school runs baseline testing before the season starts, it’s worth taking up — it gives a helpful reference point should a concussion occur later.
Supporting Your Child Emotionally
Concussion can be frustrating for kids, especially active ones who are used to training and playing with friends. Feeling foggy, missing training, or sitting out a match can affect mood as much as the physical symptoms do. Reassure your child that recovery is normal and temporary, keep them connected to teammates where possible (even just watching from the sideline), and avoid putting pressure on a fast return.
If you’re unsure where to start, our clinic’s free concussion workshop is a useful starting point for parents, coaches, and club volunteers wanting a clearer understanding of recognition and management. Our osteopaths, trained through Complete Concussions (CCMI), can also support families through the assessment and recovery process alongside your GP — see our full list of conditions we treat for more on how osteopathy fits into broader injury care.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a concussion usually take to recover from in children?
Most children recover within a couple of weeks, though timelines vary depending on the individual and the injury. Some children take longer, which is why a gradual, symptom-guided approach rather than a fixed timeframe is generally recommended.
Should my child stay in a dark room after a concussion?
Extended dark room rest is no longer generally recommended. Current concussion frameworks, including those used by Complete Concussions (CCMI), suggest a short period of relative rest followed by a gradual return to light activity as symptoms allow.
When can my child go back to school after a concussion?
Many children can return to school within a few days, often before they return to sport, using a staged approach with shorter days and reduced workload. Speak with teachers and, where appropriate, a treating health professional to tailor the plan to your child.
Is concussion testing necessary for junior sport?
Testing is not compulsory, but baseline and post-injury concussion testing can provide useful information to support decisions about recovery and return to activity. It works alongside, not instead of, clinical assessment.
What should I do if my child’s symptoms come back after they seem better?
If symptoms return or worsen, especially with activity, it’s a sign the brain needs more recovery time. Scale back activity and seek review from a qualified health professional before progressing further.
Concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula
To learn more or arrange concussion testing, assessment or return-to-play support, visit our concussion testing page or book an appointment online with The Seaside Osteo in McCrae.
This article is general information for Mornington Peninsula families and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If you suspect a concussion, seek advice from a qualified health practitioner, and call 000 if there are emergency warning signs.