THE LIFEGARD STORE STAFF WRITER As parents, we all want our children to succeed in every arena in life — academically, socially, emotionally and physically. That’s why we help them with their homework, encourage them to make friends and talk them through difficult emotional moments. But what can you, as an active and loving parent, do to promote your child’s physical health and development? We think one of the best ways to help them succeed physically is to encourage them to explore different physical activities that are fun while also being fantastic forms of exercise. Swimming is just one of the many activities you might encourage your child to participate in. Swimming is fun for most kids, and it’s an ability that will serve them well their whole lives. It keeps them healthy, gives them the skills they need to stay safe everywhere from the beach to the pool and also gives them a great way to have fun and develop confidence in their physical abilities. However, if the idea of your child in the water scares you, you’re not alone. Plenty of parents become nervous at the thought of their child — particularly if the child is very young — jumping into a pool. They envision all their worst fears coming true, and they may keep their child away from the pool. This decision results in a child who grows up without this crucial skill. While fearing for your child’s safety around the water is understandable, it shouldn’t stand in the way of you giving your child the gift of swimming.
Why Should Kids Learn to Swim Early? There are countless reasons why children benefit from taking swimming lessons at the young age of 4 or 5, as opposed to waiting until they’re older or never learning at all. If you aren’t convinced, here are some of our top reasons why learning to swim early is important. 1. Learn the Basics of Water Safety Out of all the cases of accidental drowning in the United States in recent years, one in five of those deaths represents children under the age of 14. For many parents, this fact may be a warning to keep their children as far away from the pool as possible. But while these parents may feel they’re protecting their children from harm, the reality is that they’re actually putting their child in greater danger. It’s inevitable that your child will find themselves around water at some point in our lives, whether that’s the pool, the ocean or even a small creek. If a child knows how to swim, they will be in no danger. Even if an accident were to occur, the child would know how to swim and rescue themselves from the water. The child who has never learned to swim, however, will be at a far greater risk of accidental drowning because they will be unable to rescue themselves. Children who attend swimming classes learn how to swim and learn the basics of water safety. They learn how to behave around the pool in a way that will keep everyone safe. They learn who to go to
