Now that the weather is getting hot it’s time for
swimming fun by the pool( if you have one), play on the river, fun at the lake
or down at the beach. What important about all of these places is that they are
near lager masses of water. Now there is an important thing that one should be
doing which is to teach your little ones to swim. Learning to swim is important for several reasons, and mastering this
skill at a young age can benefit you throughout your life.
Reasons You Should Learn How to Swim
Safety
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control. Ten people
die every day from unintentional drowning, and 20 percent of those are children
under the age of 15—making it the second leading cause of death for kids. And
for every child who perishes in the water, another five are treated in the
emergency room for injuries related to near-drowning.
Fun
Swimming is an enjoyable activity that can be done at any age!
Exercise
Keep fit by swimming laps or trying aqua aerobics.
Opportunity
You need to know how to swim if you want to go boating, kayaking, canoeing,
snorkeling, go to the beach, tubing, water skiing, surfing, or sailing.
Experience
Swimming is one more thing to make you a well-rounded individual.
Health
Swimming is a great way to keep your heart and body healthy.
Life-Long Skill
No matter what age, swimming is a skill you will always use.
No matter what age, swimming is a skill you will always use.
Safety,
exercise, or opportunity.
What leaning to swim can do for your child?
Swimming encourages earlier physical
development
It is possible for an infant to learn to swim before he/she can walk. As a
low-impact sport, this means that toddlers can be active at an early age and
develop coordination skills earlier. A study from the Norwegian University of
Science and Technology found that babies who learn to swim have better
abilities to balance and grasp objects than their non-swimming peers. This may
be because swimming allows infants to use their muscles more than they do on
land. While toddlers do not have the motor skills to properly perform
strokes, swimming lessons will teach them to move and float independently in
the water.
Swimming allows children to develop their social skills
During swimming lessons, babies are frequently interacting with others.
They learn to follow directions from their instructor, play and share with
other babies, and listen to their parents. According to the German Sports
College Cologne, young swimmers are less shy, more independent, and more
comfortable in social situations than non-swimmers.
Swimming helps develop psychological benefits
Having been in the womb for nine months, most infants are born with a love
of water and find it stimulating to their senses. In addition, infants who swim
have greater self-discipline, as they learn to respect the rules of the water
and those around them. Infants also gain more self-confidence with every
technique they learn, further encouraging them to learn. This builds a good
foundation for skills that go well beyond swimming.
Swimming is often said to be one of the most important life skills and the
earlier a child learns to swim, the earlier they can reap the benefits.
When is the
best time to teach a child to swim?
Infants tend to be comfortable with water versus older children As
toddlers’ brains are developing, they absorb information quickly and will have
an easier time adapting to water. Familiarizing infants with water reduces the
chance that they will fear it when they are older, or be affected by negative
attitudes towards swimming. Research shows that non-swimmers are unlikely to
learn after the third grade.
Parents should enroll in learn to swim programs that encourage:
Developmentally Appropriate Learning
Developmentally appropriate learning means choosing swimming activities
that correlate to children’s growth and development on land
Learning without Floatation Devices
Floatation devices are suitable while supervising children in a play
environment
Flotation devices including back bubbles and arm bands should not enter the
realm of the formal learn to swim lesson
Children must feel buoyancy and the floating sensation to learn to swim
Maximum Practice Time
Maximum practice time is essential for skill acquisition
Make sure that your lesson focuses on swimming activities like breath
control, submersion, floating and propulsion
Children should not move on until they master the prerequisite skill
Games and songs should always have a swimming related purpose
Homogeneous Grouping
Homogenous grouping means that children are booked into a class according
to their age and or ability level
In this instance we can cater to children’s individual differences and
promote maximum practice time as the whole class moves together
The best places to find good local classes are via the internet, your local
authority or your local swimming pool. Remember that lessons are run by pool
operators, private swim schools and local swimming schools. But also ask
friends. visit to the pool between classes as it allows you to build your
child's confidence, adds Sparks. Going swimming as a family becomes even more
key if you decide not to go for classes or you depend entirely on the ones
offered at school.
If, as an adult, you are not a strong swimmer or can't swim, simply stay in the depth of water you are comfortable in and perhaps investigate an adult swimming class.
If, as an adult, you are not a strong swimmer or can't swim, simply stay in the depth of water you are comfortable in and perhaps investigate an adult swimming class.
Now go and have fun with your child be safe
