Originally published: March 2025
There are lots of ways for children to be active both indoors and outdoors. While we can help protect children during activities to prevent injuries, such as wearing a helmet or other protective gear, there are always some risks, like scrapes, bruises and concussions. Whether it’s from playing a sport or a fall on the playground, it’s important for parents to know the signs and symptoms of a concussion and how to prevent them. If you think your child could have a concussion or a head injury, seek help from a healthcare provider. When it comes to concussions, your immediate attention is needed to help your child heal. Encouraging protective gear, like helmets, is important to make sure children are protected from concussions.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury that can range from mild to severe. A concussion can result from any blow or hit to the face, head, neck or body where a person’s head gets jarred. This can happen from playing sports, and from other activities, such as biking, playing in the playground, or even falls at home.
Since concussions affect the brain, they can lead to a range of symptoms that affect many parts of a child’s life. For school-aged children, concussion symptoms can look like any of the following:
- Mental
- Having a hard time remembering things that happened before or after the injury
- Having a hard time focusing on tasks
- Growing confusion
- Physical
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting (throwing up)
- Seizure or convulsions
- Loss of consciousness (knocked out)
- Ringing in ears
- Neck pain
- Behavioural
- Easily upset or angered
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Changes in sleep patterns
If your child shows any of these symptoms, they should stop their activity right away. Even if you’re not sure if it’s a concussion—when in doubt, sit it out. Even in suspected cases of a head injury or concussion, see a healthcare provider.
Concussion myths
Myth: My child did not lose consciousness, so they don’t have a concussion.
Fact: You don’t have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Any incident involving the head or neck should be taken seriously.
Myth: While my child is resting after a head injury, they can use their screens.
Fact: After a concussion occurs, the first 48 hours should have limited screens, including phones, tablets and TVs.
Myth: Concussions heal quickly.
Fact: Healing from a concussion or brain injury can vary greatly. Concussion symptoms can last up to 4 weeks and may take months to heal. With each following concussion, it will take a longer time to heal.
Myth: The doctor said my child has a mild concussion, so they can’t do any activity or go to school.
Fact: In the first 24 hours after an injury, children can do light activities such as walking and bathing. In mild concussion cases, returning to school may not need clearance from a doctor. However, in moderate or severe cases, seek and follow the advice of a medical doctor. A gradual return to school might be helpful. See the Return-to-School Strategy recommendations here: After a concussion: Return-to-school strategy.
Preventing concussions
Here are some ways parents can help reduce the risks of concussions:
- Wear protective gear. Always ensure your child wears a proper fitting helmet in activities that have a high risk of falling, such as bike rides and contact sports. Learn about fitting helmets for different activities.
- Always buckle up correctly. Make sure your child is secured in an appropriate car seat or booster seat that is installed correctly. Your child is safest in the back seat until they are 13 years old.
- Help your child plan and prepare before starting a sport or activity.
- Teach your child about playground safety.
- Encourage your child to talk about how they are feeling. Tell a parent, teacher or coach if they don’t feel well.
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