As a parent, you want your child to engage in as many activities as possible. Sports may be especially beneficial for children because it teaches them how to function as part of a team. It also makes it possible for them to get outside and exercise on a regular basis. Let’s look at a few steps that you can take to keep your kids healthy and at their best while on the field.
Keep Your Child Hydrated
It is important that your child has plenty of fluids just before, during and just after a game is over. Dehydration may result in cramped or pulled muscles as well as an inability to regulate body temperature. An elevated body temperature could result in heat stroke and a trip to the hospital.
Ideally, your son or daughter will drink water instead of sports drinks or soda. Pickle juice may also be an appropriate way for a child to regain electrolytes lost during a game assuming that he or she appreciates the taste. The reason why you want to avoid sports drinks is that they come with a lot of sugar and other additives that can actually be detrimental to a young person’s health.
Your Child Should Wear Protective Gear
Your child should never take the field without proper padding or other safety equipment. A mouth guard, like those you could get from a dentistry in New Houston or wherever is closer to you, may be helpful because you don’t want to your son or daughter losing a tooth or otherwise suffering injuries that could have long-term or permanent impacts. Furthermore, dental surgery that could have otherwise been prevented could be costly for your budget, even if you have coverage.
In addition to wearing a mouth guard, younger athletes should wear goggles or a helmet that has a cage on it. This may reduce the odds of an errant pass or wild pitch from causing permanent vision damage or giving your child a concussion. In some cases, the league that your child plays in may provide such equipment for you.
Discourage Unnecessary Contact
A child should be taught to never lead with the head regardless of what sport he or she plays. Children should also be taught never to make contact with an opponent even in physical sports like hockey where professionals routinely check or punch each other. Teaching children to avoid contact may keep them safer now and help to protect their long-term health. If they are good enough to have a professional sports career, the skills that they learn now could help them extend those careers.
Encourage Good Form
It is a lot harder for an athlete to get hurt while using proper form. If your child aspires to be a pitcher, you shouldn’t be teaching him or her how to throw a curve or other exotic pitches until at least high school or later. This is because an athlete is at a higher risk of injury during their teen years when their bodies are still developing and getting stronger.
Instead, you should be teaching your young athlete how to stretch properly, the importance of nutrition and the importance of preparing for an opponent before a game. All of these tips will help your son or daughter improve mentally and physically. This may make it easier for their bodies to handle the physical rigors of college or professional sports should they get that far.
You want your child to have fun and enjoy playing sports. However, their health should be your top priority whenever they engage in a physical activity. The use of protective equipment, teaching good form and discouraging unnecessary contact may all help your kids have more fun without negative long-term consequences to their health.