Playing sports and exercising is very important for your child’s health and wellbeing, but it’s only natural to worry about their safety. Some sports can be risky and no parent wants their child to get hurt. However, there are lots of things you can do to keep your children as safe as possible when they’re running about outside. And remember, a few bruises and scrapes really aren’t going to do much harm in the long run. If anything, these are a normal part of childhood and will help your child to learn what risks they can take while improving their coordination.
Buy the right equipment
One of the best ways to decrease your child’s risk of getting hurt is by buying protective equipment for them. While giving them a helmet during tennis wouldn’t be appropriate, it’s essential if they’re wanting to ride a bike or learn how to roller-skate. The right kneepads can also go a long way when playing sports like volleyball, especially if your child has a tendency to come home with grazed knees. Make sure you ask your child’s teachers or coaches whether they need any special equipment for sports.
Encourage rest
If your little one loves running about and wants to play sports every day of the week, make sure they’re getting enough rest as well. It’s easy for kids to forget that their bodies need downtime if they’re having a good time, so try to get them to sit down in the shade for a while and plan some calming activities at home during the evening.
Bring water
Having a bottle of water on hand is crucial in the summer, but it’s equally important to keep your kids hydrated in cooler weather when they’re playing sports. Make sure you tell them how important it is to stay hydrated and, if you’re sitting on the sidelines, call them over every now and again to encourage them to take a sip of water.
Take injuries seriously
Most of the time your child’s sprained ankle is nothing to worry about, but if the problem persists or the pain seems worse than usual, it’s best to get them checked out by a doctor. The worst thing you can do is try and pretend that nothing is wrong. Treating an injury early will increase your child’s chances of going back to normal as soon as possible. So even if you find admitting that your child could be badly hurt scary, you need to take responsibility and get them the treatment they need.
Educate your kids
Sometimes children get hurt because they don’t fully understand all the risks of playing sports. Make sure they know to try and avoid colliding with other children and how to fall properly to avoid injury. It’s also a good idea to point out obvious things like making sure their shoelaces are always tied. It might seem silly, but children often don’t realize things like this until it’s too late.