July 21, 2022

July 21, 2022

What's The Best Age To Start Swimming Lessons?

As a parent, you always endeavor to keep your children safe and secure. One of the best ways to do that is to get them involved in swimming lessons early in their lives. But what is the best age to start swimming lessons? And are swimming lessons worth it? There are a lot of questions parents have for a topic that, on the surface, seems like a shallow subject (if you’ll pardon the pun!). Read on to find out how deep this topic truly goes and learn what you need to know as a parent when it comes to swimming lessons for your child.

When Should Kids Learn to Swim?
If you’ve ever seen infant swimming lessons advertised and thought that swimming lessons for babies are a little overboard, we’re here to tell you: they’re really not! While all children develop at different paces, some children are ready to learn to swim at a very young age. If you’re wondering when to start swimming lessons for a baby, the answer is when they can paddle their arms and kick their legs. Swimming lessons with parents are great exercises for a baby, and even children under the age of one can benefit from getting used to being in the water, though you may want to speak to your pediatrician about it before taking the plunge.

For older toddlers who are not yet developmentally ready to learn to swim on their own, kids between the age of one and four can take classes that help to teach them crucial water safety skills. These classes should be taken with one or both parents. And remember that for the younger crowd, swim lessons are never a substitute for proper supervision by adults around a pool.

Swimming Lessons for Kids Four and Up
Learning to swim in a class structure will be the most beneficial for children aged four and up. By the time they reach the age of four, kids are generally coordinated enough to learn strokes as they kick their feet, which is vital for successful swimming form. Plus, the water safety skills they learn can really be taken to heart at this age.

When you enroll your child in a swimming lesson program, there are some features to look for, including:

  • Certified instructors
  • Progressive programs that allow your child to move up in levels
  • Teaching good safety skills around the water as well as in it
  • Fun and games to keep a child engaged and wanting to go back
  • Teaching a child what to do if they accidentally end up in the water

For parents looking to sign their child up for a class if they are under age four, look for these features in a program:

  • Touch supervision – This is when an adult is within arm’s reach of a child at all times.
  • Age-appropriate – You want an atmosphere where even small kids feel safe and supported.
  • Provide clean facilities – Little kids are more likely to swallow pool water, so choose a facility that has proper disinfection procedures in the pool area.

If you can, observe a swim class before you sign your child up for it. That way, you can get a better sense of what goes on during a class and if it’s the right fit for your child.

The Benefits of Learning to Swim
There are so many benefits to a child learning to swim that go beyond their safety, even if that is the most important thing. Some of the ways your child will benefit developmentally from swimming include:

  • Improved motor skills – Both gross and fine motor skills are improved with swimming, and studies have shown that children who swim develop faster in these areas than their peers.
  • Coordination – When you swim, the entire body is used, so it can be a real springboard for kids when it comes to coordination, helping them to learn movements on both sides of their body at the same time.
  • Strength – Moving through the water takes effort and strength, which makes it a great way to build up stamina and muscle tone. Even babies are helped in this department by spending time in the water.
  • Cognition – The brain is improved by swimming too, since neural connections are being made as your child moves and coordinates their body. Swimming isn’t just great for the physical body, but the mind as well, and doing more of it can even help kids academically by creating more neurons in the brain.
  • Social skills – Many lessons are done in a group setting, which makes it a great socialization experience for a lot of kids. Positive interactions with other kids will help to improve their communication and teamwork skills.
  • Confidence – Studies have revealed that children who take swimming lessons are more independent and confident, more comfortable in new situations, and have better self-control and self-esteem than those who don’t swim. The praise as they master skills helps to build their confidence, too.
  • Improved sleep – Swimming is a very physical activity and exercise has been shown to contribute to better sleep in kids and adults alike!

Learning how to swim is truly the gift that keeps on giving to children. It will benefit them their entire lives not only to not be afraid of the water, but to be comfortable in it and actually have fun. Plus, as a parent, it helps to give you peace of mind that your child knows how to handle themselves in a body of water.

Featured image by Kiana Bosman on Unsplash