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Whenever children play actively, there’s always a chance of injury. But injury prevention involves just a few simple steps so that your child can enjoy physical activity safely.

Injury prevention for children

To keep children safe during physical activity and play, you can look to ensure their body, environment and skills are safe for the activity.

Safe body

Children can avoid most injuries by:

• doing activities they’re physically prepared and strong enough for. Activities that use your child’s own body weight in short bursts – like monkey bars or skipping – are great
• wearing appropriate safety gear – for example, a helmet, shin guards or mouth guard. This is especially important when playing with bikes or other wheeled toys
• drinking water before, during and after playing
• wearing sunscreen and hats during hot or sunny weather
• warming up and gently stretching before sport.

Safe environment

It’s also important for children to:

• play in areas that are free of hazards such as broken equipment, uneven surfaces and sharp objects
• play against other children of similar size and age in competitive sports
• not stay too long in a cold environment, like swimming in cold water or ice skating outdoors.

Safe skills

You can also keep children safe by making sure they:

• do a variety of activities
• play sports modified or designed for kids
• practice the skills they need for activities like climbing, balancing and catching
• understand and follow the rules of any game or sport they’re playing.

Emotional injury prevention

Physical activity can improve a child’s self-esteem and reduce anxiety and stress. But feelings can get bruised and hurt during physical activity too!

Here are ways to look after your child’s overall happiness and wellbeing when she’s involved in physical activity and sport.

• If your child doesn’t want to do a particular type of physical activity, it’s best not to force it. It can help to talk about the reasons he doesn’t want to do it, and help him think of other activities to try.
• Physical activity is meant to be fun, rather than criticism, abuse or shouting. Try to keep your child away from any of these, whether from other players, spectators, coaches or parents.
• Ask other parents if they know about any coaches, teams and competitions that they feel are positive and fair to all children.
• Praise your child’s efforts, point out personal bests, and notice when your child improves at something.
• Be a great role model in staying positive about your child’s physical activity and effort.

© Raising Children Network Limited, reproduced with permission.

Resources & Links:

Concussion Awareness Training Tool