BLOODY KNEES 101: SCHOOLKIDS TAUGHT HOW TO FALL

BLOODY KNEES 101: SCHOOLKIDS TAUGHT HOW TO FALL

NONNTAL, Austria (Wireless Flash) -- Schools in Austria have come up with a "smashing" way to prevent playground accidents: they're teaching kids how to fall down properly. Schools in the city of Nonntal have set up rooms with padded floors where judo instructors are showing the children how to fall down without hurting themselves. Evidently, most kids try to break their falls by bracing their arms stiffly, which can lead to broken bones. However, the "klutz class" teaches kids to consciously think about the way they're falling, and not fear it, which supposedly reduces the amount of falling injuries. Besides the classroom instruction, kids also participate in "falling down drills" as part of their homework. As you might expect, the "Falling 101" program is sponsored by insurance firms looking to reduce the amount of accidents and medical claims.