With so many digital games and organized activities, it’s a challenge to get kids to bike. The statistics show that children bike less than a generation ago. Parents today often need to coax children. But the effort is well worth it.
The Brain Injury Association of Canada states that roughly 2,000 kids are injured each year while sledding. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, children younger than 10 were hospitalized most often for injuries as a result of skiing, snowboarding and sledding in 2010 to 2011. These are major injuries to our children’s essential nervous system. However, let’s think for a moment about the ‘minor bumps and tumbles’ they take while playing in our winter wonderland.
Did you know the average age of a cell phone user in North America is 11 years, and some users are as young as six? While there are many good reasons for your child to have a cell phone, it is increasingly more important that you teach your children how to be safe when using these devices.
Crisp winter air, brisk exercise and rosy cheeks; cold-weather activities like skiing, sledding, snowboarding and ice hockey seem to epitomize wholesome winter fun. It’s true; these activities promote fitness and allow kids to burn off pent-up winter energy. But according to Kevin D. Walter, M.D., a sports medicine program director at a children’s hospital, parents are often shocked to learn about the dangers involved. With rates for winter sports injuries climbing, Walter and other health experts are now warning parents to take precautions to keep their children safe when they participate in time-honored winter pastimes like skiing and sledding.
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