Sports offer children several benefits, including increased fitness, a breath of fresh air, and the chance to make friends. As healthy as it is for your kid to play sport, though, they still need to be careful while they’re out on the football field or whacking a ball over a net. To enjoy watching their next game in peace, here’s how to ensure your child stays safe while playing sports.
Purchase the Proper Gear
Your child needs to wear and use the proper gear if they regularly play a sport. That could include football boots, shin pads, a tennis racket, and headgear. A lot of the required gear is for the safety of themselves and other players, so educate yourself on what they need and provide quality gear.
Let Injuries Heal
Children get injured all the time – often during sport. While most sports injuries are nothing to be too concerned about, it’s still important to let them heal before you let your kid get back out there. It’s handy to understand the most common type of injuries for the sports they play, too. If they’re a tennis player, you’ll need to get them a tennis elbow support sleeve to allow their elbow joint to heal after swinging their arm around all day to prevent tennis elbow.
Get a Large Water Bottle
Sport often involves lots of movement, which equals dehydration, so get your child a large water bottle to use throughout the day. That way, they won’t have to keep walking back and forth to the nearest water fountain to fill it up.
Play a Sport with Them
Why not get involved in their fun? Playing a sport with your kid doesn’t only mean you can keep an eye on them, but it’s also a great way to bond. It doesn’t have to be a serious one vs. one match – simply take a ball to your local park on the weekends for a little kick around.
Insist on Sunscreen
An often-overlooked danger when playing outdoor sports is the sun. The sun can damage skin even on the cooler days, so make sure your kid lathers on the sunscreen whenever they spend a significant amount of time outside. If the weather is warm and sunny, then they will need to keep putting it on throughout the day.
Reiterate the Rules
Every sport has rules. They are there to ensure the sport is both fair and safe, so talk to your kid about the rules to make sure they fully understand them. For example, in basketball, the ball must be bounced or dribbled when moving.
Talk to the Coach
The best way to put your mind at ease about your kid’s safety while playing sports is to talk to the coach. Not only do they know a lot about the sport, but they also know how your kid plays, so go over and have a chat after a training session or match to see how your little one is getting along.
You should always encourage your child to pursue the sport they love. By also ensuring they are completely safe while playing, you can rest easy knowing they are getting the exercise and development they need.
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