This article is sponsored by Miami Children's Hospital, a world leader in pediatric healthcare and home to Flordia's only free-standing pediatric trauma center. Learn more about Miami Children's Hospital at mch.com.

As much as we encourage our children to be both social and physically active, there are some inherent risks in both activities. From Facebook induced depression to cardiac arrests on the football field, navigating the after-school sphere can be rife with risks. 

Nowhere is this more true than in sports. Due to the fact that developing children are less coordinated and slower to react than adults, kids between the ages of five and 14 account for a staggering 40 percent of all sports-related injuries seen in America's emergency rooms.

Thankfully there are preventive measures you can take as a parent to increase the chances of your athlete coming home in one piece. The doctors from the Pediatric Sports Medicine Program at Miami Children's Hospital--home to one of the nation's best pediatric orthopedic programs, according to U.S. News & World Report--have put together a resource section with in-depth articles outlining the risks facing your youngster. Below, they share the four cardinal rules to keeping your growing all star healthy on the field. For more tips on keeping your kids active and healthy, visit Miami Children's Hospital's dedicated site.

Rules 101
Before dropping your athlete off at practice, first teach him/her the rules of the game and give him/her some one-on-one practice and pointers. That means carving out some quality time and, for the busiest parents, putting down the BlackBerry and picking up the baseball glove.

The right equipment 
In this day and age, tools are just as important as talent. But that doesn't mean your child just needs the fastest skates or the coolest cleats. Think safety first and focus on getting helmets, pads, mouth cards and cups that are in good working condition. 

Find a reputable program 
Just because you're not planning on enrolling champ in a Nick Bollettieri tennis camp doesn't mean you should skimp on coaching. Look for programs run by schools, youth centers or churches, and make sure the coach is trained in first aid and CPR.

Educate
Lastly, teach your kids the importance of warming up and stretching before practice, and always encourage him/her to tell their coach if he/she's injured.