Swimming Classes For Kids – 5 Reasons Every Child Should Learn To Swim
My kids have always loved water. From their first baths, to swimming at our community pool, or at summer camp with friends, getting them out of the water is a challenge!
Although my girls are now 16 and 13, I have many special memories of our weekly “parent and tot” swims at the YMCA when they were babies. This gentle introduction to the water, led to years of swimming lessons, swim team, and my eldest daughter’s lifeguard qualifications – not to mention a healthy appreciation of the fun, and the dangers, water can present. Today they both love stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, water parks, and pool parties – the very things so many Canadian tweens and teens enjoy.
With the arrival of warmer weather, it seems timely to remind parents that there are only seconds to minutes between life and death in and around water, and that drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children younger than 10.
When it comes to water, it’s not always fun and games. On a number of occasions while swimming, I have plucked someone else’s child from the pool — often a child left to float about wearing plastic water wings, their heads barely above water. With the arrival of warmer weather, it seems timely to remind parents that there are only seconds to minutes between life and death in and around water, and that drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children younger than 10.
Insist that your children become competent swimmers, become one yourself (it’s never too late!), and never leave children unattended around water.
Swimming classes for kids, swim-to-survive courses, life jackets, and water safety courses are available in communities across Canada, and knowing how to stay safe in and around water is the first step towards a lifetime of water-based fun. Insist that your children become competent swimmers, become one yourself (it’s never too late!), and never leave children unattended around water.
Five reasons every child should learn to swim:
- Swimming lessons save lives. Swimming teaches children vital water safety skills that can save their lives and the lives of others.
- Learning to swim builds confidence and self-esteem in our kids. Structured lessons and plenty of water-based play with family and friends are good for our kids!
- Swimming is a healthy, low-impact form of exercise and provides a full body workout. It’s one of the best overall exercises for cardiovascular health, flexibility and endurance.
- Water games and swimming with family and friends provide a perfect opportunity for active play – the kids our kids need more of!
- Swimming provides a fantastic opportunity to bond with your child. It’s fun… and it’s an activity that can be enjoyed for life.
Quick Tips
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Teach your child to swim. Swimming classes for kids are offered in most areas.
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Swim as a family – everyone will benefit from the exercise and fun
Read more on why our kids need to log off and get outside!
Catherine Cameron, author on DrDina, is Founder & Principal at CAMERON Communications and works with some of Canada’s leading physical activity, sport, and health and wellness businesses and brands. She is also a sought-after Canadian lifestyle writer, a fitness instructor, and the proud mum of two.
