"We want to make sure there is some form of appropriate supervision. That doesn't mean hand holding and not letting children play the way they need to play to develop and be social but it does mean being available if an injury does take place."
According to the CBC, more U.S. children are needing treatment for traumatic brain injuries such as concussions from injuries on the playground despite safety improvements in playground equipment — a trend Canadian doctors see too.
Dr. Reed also includes some tips for parents on how to monitor signs of concussion:
Physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness.
Cognitive or thinking symptoms, such as feeling like they are thinking through a fog.
Sleep issues.
Emotional or mental health symptoms such as increased irritability or increased sadness.
Dr. Reed states, "If you look for all of those and even recognize just one, you want to make sure you're seeking medical attention." That's because a child's developing brain can be more vulnerable to the impact of a concussion.
