How do I spot signs of concussion or injury during rough play? 

Parenting Perspective 

During high-energy play, falls and bumps are inevitable. The real danger, however, lies in missing the early signs of a head injury or other hidden pain. Eager to stay in the game, children will often insist that they are fine. Your calm observation and quick response can be the difference between a full recovery and a lasting injury. The goal is not to create fear, but to foster awareness, teaching both you and your child that safety checks are a sign of strength, not weakness. 

Know the Common Signs of a Concussion 

A concussion can appear quite subtle at first. It is important to watch for the following signs. 

• Sudden confusion, a blank stare, or delayed answers to questions. 

• Clumsiness, stumbling, or trouble with their balance. 

• Complaints of a headache, dizziness, or blurred vision. 

• Sensitivity to light or noise. 

• Nausea or vomiting. 

• Unusual emotional outbursts or crying. 

• Forgetting simple instructions or the sequence of play. 

If any of these signs appear, even if they are mild, you must remove the child from the activity immediately. The rule should always be: when in doubt, sit them out. 

Check for Other Injuries 

During rough play, muscles and joints can also suffer quiet damage. Look for any swelling, changes in how a limb is moving, or a child favouring one side of their body. Pain is a signal that should not be ignored. 

Observe Their Speech and Eyes 

After a fall or a hard hit, talk to your child straight away. Ask them simple questions like, ‘What game are we playing?’ or ‘What happened just now?’ Listen for any slurred or slow speech. 

Keep Your Tone Calm and Reassuring 

Children will often mirror your own sense of composure. Instead of showing panic, use a steady and reassuring tone: ‘We are just going to check your body to make sure it is working perfectly.’ A calm tone can help to keep their heart rate steady and prevents their emotional stress from masking any symptoms. 

Implement a “24-Hour Watch” Rule 

Even if a child seems fine after a fall, it is important to observe them for the next 24 hours. Some signs, such as a headache, irritability, or unusual sleepiness, can appear later. If symptoms worsen or if they begin vomiting, you must seek medical help immediately. 

Teach Them to Self-Report Early 

Help your child to value honesty over pride. Tell them, ‘It is not brave to hide your pain; it is brave to protect your body.’ Encourage them to report any dizziness, confusion, or headaches straight away, no matter how small they may seem. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, our bodies are a trust (amanah) from Allah Almighty, not possessions to be exhausted. Caring for our health and safety, especially the brain and the senses, is a fulfilment of this divine responsibility. 

The Body as a Divine Trust 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 70: 

‘Indeed, We (Allah Almighty) have honoured the descendants of Adam; and fostered them over the land and the sea; and provided sustenance for them with purified nourishment; and We gave them preferential treatment over many of those (species) We have created with special privileges.’ 

This verse reminds us that every human body carries a divine honour. Protecting a child’s physical safety is therefore not just a parental duty, but a way of honouring the sacred gift of life that Allah Almighty has bestowed upon them. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 2340, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.’ 

This teaches that causing or reciprocating harm, whether to oneself or to others, has no place in the life of a believer. Watching for signs of injury and stepping in to stop unsafe play is a practical way of living by this hadith. 

You can tell your child, ‘Allah loves it when we protect the things He has given us.’ Using simple language like, ‘Your brain helps you to learn and to pray, and that is why we have to guard it,’ helps to connect medical care with a sense of gratitude and responsibility.