Concussion Education Materials
Every resource below is built to print on a home or school printer. Free to download, free to copy.
Concussion Awareness Cards
Signs-and-symptoms cards for coaches, parents, teachers, and the general public. Print, cut, and carry.
Sleep & Nutrition Cards for Kids
Kid-friendly cards on the sleep and nutrition habits that help a growing brain.
Download (PDF) →Brain Safety Activity Sheets
Coloring pages and activities for grades K–5, from the Brain Injury Association of America.
Get them from BIAA →Teacher Leave-Behind
A two-page overview for teachers: the signs, the steps, and how a classroom visit works.
Download (PDF) →Librarian Leave-Behind
A two-page overview for librarians and reading programs partnering with us.
Download (PDF) →Printing tip: choose “Actual size” when printing so cards stay true to size, and print on cardstock if you can. Need a class set? Email us.
Classroom visits
Our team comes to Florida classrooms to read with students and lead hands-on brain-safety activities. We pair a read-aloud with simple, age-right lessons on how the brain works and how to protect it.
How it works: reach out with your school, grade level, and a few possible dates; we tailor the visit to the age group; and students take home printable cards and activity sheets. Email us to schedule a visit.
Recognize it, then respond
Recognize the Signs
Confusion, a blank stare, memory problems, headache, dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light and noise. When in doubt, sit them out.
Know What to Do
Remove from play. Notify parents or guardians. Seek a medical evaluation. Write down what happened. No driving until cleared.
Support Recovery
Recovery is a gradual, guided return to learning and play. Our printable guides walk families through sleep, nutrition, and safe next steps.
Why Immediate Action Matters
Removed right away
About 12 days
to recover when the athlete is removed from play right away.
Kept playing
About 19 days
when the athlete keeps playing. UF research (Asken, Clugston et al., 2018) links immediate removal to shorter recovery.
Trusted resources
For coaches & teachers
- CDC HEADS UP concussion training
- FHSAA concussion policy
- NFHS Learn: Concussion in Sports
- Understanding Concussion certificate course (BIAA)
For parents & families
- CDC HEADS UP for parents
- Return to play after concussion (Children’s Hospital Colorado)
- Concussion recovery resources (MSKTC)
- Concussion discharge instructions (CDC, PDF)
- Brain Injury Florida — Brain Injury Information Line: 1-800-444-6443
Volunteer with Making Headway
The UF BRAIN Center is placing the children’s book The Resilient Brain in schools, libraries, and Boys & Girls Clubs across Florida this fall, funded by the DJ Lagway Foundation. There are two ways to help: read the book to kids during a short visit, or receive book shipments and prep materials for others. No experience needed.
Get involved
This work runs on people who care. If any of these sound like you, we’d love to hear from you. Email us to volunteer.
Community
Passionate about the brain?
Help lead brain-safety talks, staff a table at an event, or lend your skills. No medical background needed.
Lived experience
A story worth sharing?
People with lived experience of brain injury help build these resources, not just receive them.
Students
Studying neuroscience?
Students can join our volunteer roster and the Blue Project ambassador program (18+, Florida-based).
Every resource here is developed together by clinicians and researchers and by people with lived experience of brain injury. A joint initiative of the UF BRAIN Center and the DJ Lagway Foundation, with Brain Injury Florida and the Brain Injury Association of America.
Need concussion care?
Our UF Health team evaluates and treats concussions for athletes and families. Get care at UF Health.