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Does your family like to go swimming or do water sports in the summer? Maybe your family has a swimming pool or lives near a lot of water. So have you ever thought about water safety when it comes to your children? Yes, life jackets are life-saving items that your child should wear, but what if you or they forget them? What if they accidentally fall into it? Can your child know what to do? It’s scary to think! We may think that our children do not need to know how to swim, but in this article we will discuss why it is something that you should consider. I will also be sharing my experiences as a parent. Let’s go in!
Do You Care About Water Safety?
Did you know, according to the CDC, Fatal drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1-4 and the second leading cause of accidental death for children 5-14, behind car accidents.
Learning how to swim is very important for your safety. This applies not only to children but also to adults because if you don’t know how to swim, how can you save your child in an emergency?
Meif you think, My son knows how to swim well enough or that will not happen to my sonthen you have to ask yourself this questions before they are 100% confident in their swimming skills:
1. Can my child hold his breath underwater?
2. Can my child get in and out of the pool safely?
3. Can my child float on his back?
4. Can my child go from one side of the pool to the other?
5. Can my child reach shallow water when it is too deep?
6. Can my child tread water?
7. Will my child be safe if he is in the water unexpectedly?
8. Does my child know what to do in an emergency?
9. Does my child know when to wear a life jacket?
10. Does my child know the safety rules for living near water?
If you can’t answer yes to all of these questions, your child has a lot to learn about water conservation. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry with your children.
Clair Evans, Aquatics coordinator at the Walnut Creek Family YMCA in West Des Moines says, “Kids learning simple skills like floating and treading water can save their lives. Even something as small as knowing how to blow bubbles under water can prevent drowning.”
Water safety starts even when your baby is a baby. Show them how fun and relaxing water can be. Let them learn that there is nothing to be afraid of. If they develop a fear of water, they will avoid it from childhood and into adulthood. That fear can also make them more confident and difficult to train when you give them swimming lessons.
What Are the Benefits of Swimming Lessons?
Swimming lessons come with tons of benefits. Here are just a few:
- It protects them when they are in or near water
- It helps children to have muscle strength and heart health
- Being in the water naturally reduces and lowers the stress hormone, cortisol
- It increases their confidence
- Good communication and communication skills
Plus, it’s fun! Here are some reasons why your child will love swimming lessons!
When Should I Start My Child’s Swimming Lessons?
Babies as young as 6 months old can start learning to swim! Babies are naturally ready to swim, because the amniotic fluid surrounds them in the womb for nine months. Because of their high fat content, they can float on their backs in water.
In whatever age group you choose to place (minimum) you can start with mommy and me lessons, then group lessons, then one-on-one lessons.
Swimming lessons are offered through private swimming schools, which you may have in your area. They can also be offered through the city’s recreation center or the local pool.
Be sure to research the class you choose. Make sure the instructors are certified through a nationally recognized swim training program, that the training is age-appropriate, and that the water is clean and well-heated.
As they continue to learn and take classes, they will become more aware of how water changes and everything they can do in it. Building a strong foundation is important! Swimming lessons can help with their self-rescue skills and can give them that “I can do this!”
Be Safe
Remember that even with swimming lessons, your child will not be 100%. In addition to teaching them to swim, follow these safety tips:
- Always supervise your child near water.
- Make sure your pool is fenced off so your child can’t access it without your help.
- Use protective gear in rivers and lakes.
- Make sure your child knows they are not allowed near the water without an adult.
My family loves swimming! We try to do this as much as possible when it’s hot outside or even in indoor pools when it’s cold. We also go boating, so it was very important to me that my children learn about water safety and how to swim.
My first child started swimming lessons when he was about 2 years old. He learned a lot in a short time; as soon as they turn 2 they can float on their backs and turn over. I remember that he missed a step at the shallow end and started to enter the head of the pool. I was close to him, but he immediately knew what to do without my help. It gave me peace of mind knowing that he knew what to do and that he could protect himself. My other two children have also taken swimming lessons and I can 1000% attest to the importance of teaching children about water safety and teaching them to swim!
Water should not be a scary thing for your child. Knowing about water safety can be a real life saver. According to BlueSwimSchool, “Children who take swimming lessons are 88% less likely to drown. They also have the opportunity to establish a good relationship with sports and fitness. “
Although summer is almost over, it’s never too late to get your kids ready for their next swimming adventure. It is something that every parent should pay attention to and we hope that this blog post has given you an idea or a second thought about enrolling or educating your child!
Stay tuned as we share useful educational articles in the future!
