Help Your Kids Avoid Sports-Related Injuries
As spring approaches, kids are excited to get back to playing sports. But before you send them out on the field or court, make sure they know how to avoid unnecessary risk. Sports-related injuries occur at every age, but with proper knowledge and practice, all are avoidable. Here are a few things you can do as a parent to help your kids avoid injury.
Make sure your kids wear protective gear
The key to protective gear is not to take any shortcuts. Don’t let your kids show up with missing or damaged equipment. Gear can be expensive, but it’s also a worthy investment in the well-being of your child. Ill-fitting equipment, especially helmets, can also do more harm than good. If the kids are using the league or school’s equipment and it isn’t up to standards, then request new gear or offer to raise money to replace it.
Help them warm up
A lot of coaches skip warm-ups before practices and games, and stiff bones and joints are more prone to injury. Talk to the coaches or take it upon yourself to help your child warm up. If they aren’t heading out directly from school, create a fun routine to follow so they can loosen up before they leave the house.
Teach them the rules
Sports can be confusing, and with rulebooks constantly changing, it can be hard to keep up. Some rules are only implemented to keep kids away from injury. Learn the rules yourself and help your child understand them fully before stepping out to play. Staying legal will prevent injuries.
Show them how to communicate
A lot of injuries occur because a child is caught off guard or isn’t paying attention to his or her surroundings. Collisions are a huge contributor to sports-related injuries. Simple communication skills can help prevent these. Teach them to keep their eyes and ears open at all times. It’s a skill that will also help them later in life when they learn how to drive.
Never let them play injured
If your child is injured, keep them out of the game—it’s that simple. It’s not about toughing it out at a young age. It’s about preventing further injury.
