Learning to swim should be a priority for every family. It is a lifelong skill that can help prevent drowning which is one of the top causes of death amongst children.
Swimming is also very enjoyable and is an activity that can be done as both a parent and child. Learning how to swim well will ensure these sessions are fun and safe too.
Schools offer classes like the ones at this swimming pool in Northwood, to ensure all their students are strong swimmers.
If you are considering swimming lessons for your child then read on.
When should children learn to swim?
Children develop at different rates, so not every child will be ready at a certain age to start swimming. Some parents choose to start lessons when their children are infants as they prefer to get them used to the water sooner rather than later.
It is recommended children start their lessons from the age of 4 as at this stage they are able to learn basic water survival skills such as floating and finding an exit point.
Remember that swimming lessons don’t mean your child will be safe from drowning, it is just one method that aids to the prevention of it. Keeping an eye on children near deep pools of water is still a necessity.
What to look for when choosing lessons
Ensure your child has a qualified instructor with experience. You want to make sure your child is in safe hands whilst completing their lessons so lifeguards with the correct qualifications should also be provided and on duty too.
Teach them the rules.
Children should never be learning to swim without adult supervision.
Parents and instructors should always stress how important it is to get permission before going close to large and deep bodies of water.
Watch a class before enrolling your child onto it.
It is important to look at different options before making your mind up as every swim instructor is different.
Are the children being taught to swim efficiently or are they playing most of the time? Do they get one to one attention? How big are the groups? Are the instructors friendly?
These are all questions you should be asking yourself.
Once your child is enrolled, make sure they are taking part in regular classes in order for them to build on what they’ve learnt.
Remember that this is one of the best life skills to learn and can be the reason for preventing drowning.
If you feel nervous with your child swimming alone, enquire with centres to see if they offer parent and child sessions.
Disclosure: this is a collaborative post