Grade by Grade
D. Healthy Living · Healthy Living

Concussions: Protecting My Brain

D1.2 A1.2About 35 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can explain what a concussion is and how it can happen.
  • I can name signs of a concussion.
  • I can tell what to do if I or someone else might have a concussion.
  • I can name ways to lower the chance of a concussion.

Words to know

concussion
A brain injury that happens when a hit to the head, face, neck or body makes the brain move quickly inside the skull.
skull
The hard bone that protects your brain.
symptom
A sign that something is wrong in your body, like a headache.
protocol
A set of steps that everyone follows. Your school has a concussion protocol.
helmet
A hard hat that protects your head during activities like biking and skating.

Your amazing brain

Your brain helps you think, learn, move, remember and feel. It's soft, so it is protected by a hard bone called the skull. But sometimes a big bump can shake the brain inside the skull. That can cause an injury called a concussion.

skull (hard bone)brain (soft)A big bump can shakethe brain inside.
The brain is soft. The hard skull protects it, but a big bump can still shake the brain inside.

How a concussion happens

A concussion can happen from a hit to the head, face or neck, or even a hard hit to the body that makes the head snap back and forth. For example:

  • falling off a bike, a scooter or playground equipment
  • crashing into another player in a game
  • slipping on ice and hitting your head
  • being hit hard by a ball

You can't see a concussion from the outside. A person does not have to be knocked out to have one.

Signs you might feel or noticeExamples
In your bodyheadache, feeling dizzy, feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up, blurry vision, bright lights or noise bother you
In your thinkingfeeling confused or "foggy", trouble remembering what happened, trouble paying attention
In your feelingsfeeling grumpy, sad, worried or more emotional than usual
In your sleepfeeling very sleepy, or having trouble sleeping
Signs can show up right away or hours later.

If you think it's a concussion: STOP, TELL, CHECK

  1. STOP playing right away. Don't "shake it off".
  2. TELL a teacher, coach or other adult. If it's a friend who got hurt, tell an adult for them.
  3. CHECK: a grown-up should take the person to a doctor or nurse practitioner.

Your school has a concussion protocol: steps that teachers and families follow. A student with a concussion goes back to learning and to sports step by step, only when a doctor says it's okay. In Ontario, a law called Rowan's Law helps keep young athletes safe from concussions.

Lowering the chance of a concussion

  • Wear a helmet that fits for biking, scootering, skateboarding, skating, skiing and snowboarding.
  • Follow the rules of games. No pushing or tripping.
  • Play fair and watch where you are going.
  • Walk carefully on ice; wear boots with good grip.
  • Use playground equipment the safe way: feet first down slides, sit on swings.

Helmets protect your head from serious injuries, but no helmet can stop every concussion. That's why safe play matters too.

Worked example

Let's decide what to do

At recess, Jordan bumps heads with a friend while chasing a ball. He says, "I'm fine," but he feels dizzy and has a headache.

  1. Dizziness and a headache can be signs of a concussion.
  2. STOP: Jordan should stop playing.
  3. TELL: Jordan or his friend should tell the yard supervisor right away.
  4. CHECK: the school will call his family, and he should see a doctor.

Jordan should stop, tell an adult and get checked, even though he says he's fine.

Worked example

Let's check a helmet

Lena puts on her bike helmet. It tips back and shows her whole forehead, and the strap is loose. Is it safe?

  1. A helmet should sit level, about two finger-widths above the eyebrows.
  2. The straps should make a V under each ear.
  3. The chin strap should be snug: only about one finger fits under it.

Not yet. Lena should move the helmet forward so it's level and tighten the straps.

2finger-widths betweeneyebrows and helmetVthe straps make a Vunder each ear1finger fits underthe chin strap
The 2-V-1 helmet check: 2 fingers above the eyebrows, a V under each ear, and 1 finger under the chin strap.
Hands-on activity

Helmet check and safety poster

You need: a helmet (bike, ski or hockey), a mirror, paper and markers.

  1. Put on your helmet in front of the mirror. Do the 2-V-1 check: 2 fingers above your eyebrows, a V under each ear, 1 finger under the chin strap.
  2. Shake your head. Does the helmet stay in place? If not, ask a grown-up to adjust it.
  3. Make a poster called "Protect Your Brain" with: one way concussions happen, three signs, and the steps STOP, TELL, CHECK.

Your turn

1

What is a concussion?

2

Name two ways a concussion could happen.

3

Name three signs of a concussion.

4

Do you have to be knocked out to have a concussion?

5

What are the three steps if you think someone has a concussion?

6

Name two activities where you should wear a helmet.

More practice: warm-up

1

What hard bone protects your brain?

2

Can you see a concussion from the outside?

3

Who should you tell if you hit your head at recess?

4

True or false: you should keep playing if you feel dizzy after a hit.

5

Should a helmet be loose or snug?

More practice: on your own

1

Why is it a problem to "shake it off" and keep playing after a hit to the head?

2

A friend falls on the ice and hits his head. He says not to tell anyone. What do you do?

3

Why might a person with a concussion need to go back to school work slowly?

4

Signs can show up hours later. Why does that matter?

5

Name two rules in games that help prevent concussions.

Challenge

1

Explain why helmets are important but safe play matters too.

2

Write 3 safety rules for a game of tag at recess that would help prevent concussions.

3

Your friend had a concussion and now has to sit out of gym for a while. They feel left out and frustrated. How could you help?

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

What is a concussion?

2.

Which is a sign of a concussion?

3.

What should you do first if you think you have a concussion?

4.

Do you need to be knocked out to have a concussion?

5.

Which helmet fit is correct?

6.

Who decides when a student with a concussion can go back to sports?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: The Grade 3 expectation asks students to demonstrate an understanding of concussions and how they occur, as well as an awareness of the school board's concussion protocol (D1.2).

How to help at home:

  • Ask your school for its concussion protocol and any Rowan's Law resources your child's sports team uses.
  • Check helmet fit at the start of each season (2-V-1 check). Replace a helmet after a serious crash or if it's damaged.
  • Make it safe to report: praise your child for telling you about a hit, even if it turns out to be minor.
  • If you suspect a concussion, remove your child from activity and have them assessed by a doctor or nurse practitioner. Seek urgent care for worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, unusual drowsiness, or confusion.

Common difficulties: believing you must be knocked out to have a concussion; wanting to keep playing. Stress that telling an adult is brave and smart.

This lesson also builds coping (A1.2) as children learn to manage frustration when they need to rest and recover.