Anticipation for summer break begins long before June comes around, and swimming is often number one on their summer to-do list. Whether it is in a local or private swimming pool, hotel or resort swimming pool, lake, or ocean, getting into the water is a satisfying way to beat the summer heat. For parents, the water can be a scary place if their children are ages 4 or under; but the fear doesn’t have to take the place of fun during the summer. One important way to ensure good swimming and water safety skills is by enrolling children in yearly swimming lessons.
Learning to swim is similar to riding a bike, it is often said. A person can never forget how to swim! An obvious benefit for signing children up for swimming lessons is the mastery of water safety skills and drowning prevention. Anything can happen around a pool, so teaching children what to do in an event of an accident or emergency is sometimes the difference between life and death.
Children as young as three years old can begin taking swimming lessons. Getting the young ones acquainted with water and teaching them not to be afraid of the water is key to them learning what to do if they fall in or are pushed into the water on accident. Once children are comfortable with getting their face wet and with holding their breath under water momentarily, it is important for them to learn how to swim to the side of the pool and maneuver their way to the steps to get out of the pool. Teaching children not to panic once in the pool is key to drowning prevention. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics also suggests that all parents and guardians know CPR in the event of an emergency, according to an article on ABC News website.
Another reason children should learn how to swim is because it is excellent exercise. Swimming is an extremely low-impact exercise and even children with disabilities are able to get into the pool and have a blast. Once children have mastered swimming, they can begin learning the four swimming strokes and consider becoming a member of a local swim team. Oftentimes communities have summer swim teams who practice daily and compete on the weekends during the summer. Children who are involved in these teams learn the benefits of hard work and healthy competition. In return, children make friendships with other children on the team and with those whom they compete.
Swimming lessons are an imperative and fun way to teach children the importance of water safety. Parents who plan on swimming this summer should consider swimming lessons today!