So, you’re considering signing up your child for their first swimming lessons? Learning to swim not only provides kids the opportunity to enjoy lots of water-filled fun – it’s essential to their safety. It also helps kids build strength and endurance, is an excellent form of exercise, and builds kids’ confidence.
But at what age should they begin taking lessons? Little research has been done on the safety and effectiveness of swimming lessons before 4 or 5 years of age. Still, one small study, “Association between swimming lessons and drowning in childhood: a case-control study,” by R.A. Brenner, et al., has been conducted. It found kids between the ages of 1 and 4 had an 88% reduced risk of drowning if they had taken swimming lessons.
In light of this information, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its recommendations. AAP News staff writer, Trisha Korioth, explains in, “Some kids have higher drowning risk: Swim lessons add a layer of protection for all.” Korioth emphasizes, “All parents and children over 1 year old should learn to swim, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This is especially important if your child is at a high risk of drowning.”
Korioth explains that children need to learn at least basic swimming skills. These include how to:
- enter the water
- turn around
- come up to the surface
- propel forward a minimum of 25 yards
- climb out of the water
That said, parents must be mindful that while this reduces the risk of drowning, it doesn’t make children drown-proof. As many experts have pointed out, swimming lessons often give parents a false sense of security. This actually increases kids’ risk of drowning. As it turns out, a substantial percentage of drownings occur in good swimmers and even under parents’ supervision. That’s because parents often let their guard down when their child knows how to swim.
As for the age to begin swimming lessons, many medical experts recommend against it for babies under 1 year of age. Infants are more susceptible to skin irritation from pool chemicals, swimmer’s ear, and hypothermia when water temperatures dip below 85°F. Also, leaky diapers in the pool increase the risk not only to your baby but to all the other swimmers of contracting a parasite. The nasty Cryptosporidium parasite causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and weight loss.
Getting kids used to the water.
As young children grow, they usually come to love bath time. But as many parents can attest, getting splashed in the face is a whole different ball game. Add to that, a shallow bathtub is far less threatening than a vast, seemingly-bottomless pool. New environments, in general, can also be stressful for children. Some kids are even fearful of water. When kids sense their own parents’ fear of the water, or if the child has had a negative experience with water, this can also add to a child’s anxiety.
Try the following to ease your kid’s fears of the water:
- Provide your child with a variety of water experiences and opportunities to get used to getting their face wet. Let your child wet and wash their own hair. Also, have your child try the shower with you. In warm weather, give your youngster a kiddie pool to splash around in and a sprinkler to run through.
- Read storybooks to your child about swimming and swimming lessons.
- Don’t force your fearful little one into the pool. It can ultimately increase your child’s fears. At the same time, don’t make a big to-do about your child’s fearfulness, either. Instead, offer encouragement and allow your kid time to warm up to the pool.
- Offer praise for each step of progress your child makes, even if it’s just dipping their feet in the water. Look for ways to make being in the water a pleasurable experience.
- Rewards can help. Offer your child an ice cream cone, a trip to the park, or a small prize on the way home for taking a big step.
What to look for in swimming classes:
Trained instructors.
Claire McCarthy, MD, in “Swimming lessons: 10 things parents should know,” at Harvard Health Publishing, says to look for swim instructors trained and evaluated under the guidelines of a reputable agency. She includes examples such as the YMCA or American Red Cross.
Instructor’s style.
Also, make sure the instructor is child-centered. Teaching kids to swim is different from teaching adults. It requires patience, understanding and positive reinforcement.
A warm pool.
Getting into a cold pool isn’t a pleasant experience at any age. It also makes it harder to focus on learning and get comfortable in the water. Make sure the pool is heated to at least 84°F for children over 6. If under 3, the temperature should be at least 87°F.
Safety.
Find out the class size and ratio of students to instructors. If you won’t be in the pool with your child, ask about lifeguards, especially if it’s a larger class. Also, do instructors get in the pool with the kids, or do they instruct from the deck? Here are some excellent guidelines for student-teacher ratios based on the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program.
- Children up to 4 years old and attended in the pool by their parent, 12:1 ratio
- Ages 3-5, with a buoyancy device, 6:1
- Kids 6 and up, 8:1; for advanced classes, 10:1
Chlorine levels.
Ask if the pool chlorine and PH levels are tested regularly. Low PH causes eye irritation. Low chlorine levels can be a health risk. If you’re in doubt, pick up a test kit at a hardware store.
Open door policy.
Make sure parents are allowed some ability to observe if they choose. It can be through a window or at the start or end of classes. When parents can attend the entire class, having additional eyes on the kids adds an extra layer of safety. The problem, though, is it sometimes reduces kids’ cooperation. So, decide what you’re comfortable with and what’s best for your child.
Related:
Swimming Pool Safety Practices
