When to Start Teaching Swimming and What Parents Should Know

Every family should make learning to swim a top priority. It’s a crucial life skill that can help reduce the risk of drowning, which is the leading cause of mortality for kids. Learning to swim is essential for both parents and kids to ensure that time spent in the water is enjoyable and safe.

When should my kid start swimming lessons?

Since every child develops at a different rate, not every child is ready to start swim lessons at the same age. Consider your child’s comfort level in the water, physical and developmental restrictions, and emotional maturity while selecting your choice.

Parent-child swim lessons for toddlers and preschoolers: helpful for lots of families

According to recent research, teaching kids between the ages of one and four how to survive in the water and taking swim classes can help lower their chance of drowning. Classes that include parents and their kids are an excellent method to start teaching kids about water safety and develop their swimming abilities. It would be wise to begin lessons right away if your youngster appears ready.

Swim lessons are essential for most families for kids ages 4 and above.

Most kids are prepared for swim lessons by the time they become 4 years old. They can often pick up the fundamentals of water survival at this age, such floating, treading water, and finding an escape route. Most kids taking swim lessons can perform the front crawl by the time they are 5 or 6 years old. The moment has come if your youngster hasn’t enrolled in a swim lesson yet!

Does the AAP suggest baby swimming lessons?

No, because there isn’t any proof right now that baby swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning for infants under a year old. At this age, infants may exhibit reflexive “swimming” motions, but they are still unable to lift their heads sufficiently out of the water to breathe. However, if you want to assist your baby get acclimated to the pool, it’s OK to sign up for a parent-child water play session. It may be a great activity to do together.

Recall that learning to swim does not make a child “drown proof.”

Never forget that learning to swim is only one of several crucial layers of protection required to assist prevent drowning. Constant, concentrated supervision of your child when they are in or around a pool or any other body of water constitutes another layer. Blocking access to pools during non-swim hours is also crucial. According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 69% of children less than five were not anticipated to be in the water when they drowned.

When selecting swim classes, what should I consider?

Seek out programs and teachers who adhere to rules emphasizing water survival competence abilities in addition to swim stroke technique. For example, all children should be taught how to emerge from the water, swim at least 25 yards, and get back to the surface. Children’s development should be assessed, and teachers should continuously provide feedback on students’ ability levels.

For kids of all ages, seek for initiatives that:

possess knowledgeable, experienced teachers. A nationally approved learn-to-swim program should be used for the training and certification of swim instructors. Additionally, there must to be lifeguards on duty with up-to-date First Aid and CPR certifications.

Encourage safe behavior around, in, and on the water. Kids should never learn to swim alone by an adult or on their own. Teachers should instill in their students the habit of always requesting permission from parents, lifeguards, or swimming instructors before entering a pool or other natural body of water, such as a lake.

Explain what to do in case they unintentionally find themselves in the water. Practicing water proficiency abilities like self-rescue is part of this. Training under a range of realistic scenarios, such as falling in and swimming while clothed, should be included in lessons. Elderly kids should also be taught how to obtain help and what to do if they observe someone else in the water who is having trouble.

To determine if a class is appropriate for your child, allow you to observe it beforehand. Not all swim classes are made equal, so parents should research their options and select the one that best suits their needs. Do they spend most of their time swimming, or do they occasionally stand still while they wait their turn? Do kids receive one-on-one time with adults? Are the teachers approachable and well-informed?

need to be done in several sessions. Children should show steady, steady improvement in their skills over time after they begin instruction. At least keep teaching till they have mastered the fundamentals of water proficiency.

Furthermore, for kids less than four, search for programs that:

Ensure the environment is age-appropriate. During classes, your kid should feel comfortable and protected while participating in activities that promote their social, intellectual, physical, and emotional growth. But kids also need to learn to respect water in a healthy way.

Don’t forget to include “touch supervision.” When young children are near or in the water, especially during swim instruction, an adult should always be nearby to offer “touch supervision.” Encouragement of parent engagement is important, especially as it gives families practice ideas for in between-class activities. If you are unable to swim with your child, consider enrolling in private lessons that provide one-on-one teaching.

Preserve the quality of the water. Since young toddlers are more prone to ingest or breathe in water, it’s critical to disinfect water and keep the chlorine levels at an appropriate level. To assist prevent the kid from discharging bodily waste into the water, a good program should also mandate that the youngster wear a swimsuit that fits snugly around the legs.

Maintain the water’s warmth. At this age, hypothermia is more likely to occur. Children three years old and under should ideally take swim and water safety lessons in water that is between 87 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit.