When to start swim lessons? The answer is not straightforward. This makes me write this blog.
Do you remember Hrithik Roshan’s character from ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’? If yes, you will distinctly remember how he overcame the fear of water. And if not, then you would know someone who overcame that fear. That made us think, why shouldn’t we start swimming? But then you realize, oh! I don’t know how to swim. Yet your enthusiastic friend says this is not a reason to stop; there’s nothing we can’t learn.
1. Why Swimming Lessons in the First Place
1.1) Necessity, not Luxury
If you think swimming is an excellent skill, then you are wrong. Swimming is a vital skill. Especially if you are living in a coastal region, swimming is a life-saving skill for you. It is a new skill to try out.
1.2) Fun Activity
If you spend time swimming at your leisure in a fun way, it is better than just lying around and doing nothing. Swimming skills bring confidence and fun like other sports. Formal swim lessons will also help you meet new people and make friends.
1.3) Competitive Swimming
Competitive Swimming helps to impart a sense of competitiveness from a very young age. You start to win and fail; you eventually learn in the process, which makes you a better person in the long run.
1.4) Health Benefits of Formal Swim Lessons
The health benefits when a young child goes to swim school are discussed in the following points.
2. When to Start Swim Lessons
This instruction is for ‘Parents’ because infants or children cannot read this blog. Unless that child is superhuman or my blog is that great that parents read it to them.
Swim lessons for younger children ages between 0 to 18 years are recommended.
2.1) When to Start Swim Lessons-Infants (6 to 12 months)
You might be surprised, but parents try to acquaint their children with water by teaching formal swim lessons. However, they cannot talk, so it is essential to recognize signs. Proper supervision of the parents is critical. See whether they are developmentally ready.
Read 8 Things to Remember while Introducing A Baby to Swimming before joining infant swim classes.
2.2) When to Start Swim Lessons- Toddlers (1 year to 5 years)
At this stage, the parents also need to take care of water safety. First, parents need to get all the knowledge about the swimming instructions. A child’s physical development can be boosted if they start swimming lessons early. From a very young age, if the child loses the fear of water, the better it is for them. They can join their kids in preschool swimming lessons. They can learn to swim through swim instructors present there.
2.3) When to Start Swim Lessons-School Goers (5 years to 18 years)
Although the recommended age is 4 years, the ideal age for learning to swim is 5, according to most parents. Parents can enrol their children to start swimming lessons. There the child learns through swimming instructors all the essential skills and also through other kids. Whenever the child or the teenager goes to swim, it must be under adult supervision. Preschool swim classes are the best source for them to begin swim lessons.
2.4) When to Start Swim Lessons-Adults (18+ years)
This is the best age to swim. You are not under any supervision. While it is assumed that adults know how to swim, it is better to take formal swim lessons.
Swimming lessons and swim readiness skills are recommended for everyone through formal lessons.
3. Things You Should Know Before Going Swimming
- Swim early: Swim time is significant, early as in the morning.
- Water Wings: These are inflatable armbands.
- Drown-proof water pool: Those pools are specially designed for children to prevent drowning, contrasting to natural bodies. Do check out if it is available.
- Touch Supervision: It is basically within your toddler’s reach when they are in the pool.
- Safety first: Life jackets are essential. Learn CPR and be emotionally ready.
4. Dangers in Swimming
4.1) Drowning
Drowning is the leading cause of fatal injuries among children aged 1 to 4 years, and it ranks high among the leading causes of death for teenagers. During the summer months, most children typically have increased exposure to pools, lakes, and other bodies of water, all of which carry a risk of drowning. This is because they don’t take formal swimming lessons.
4.2) Water Safety Skills
Most of the time, chlorine is mixed in the water to destroy the bacteria and viruses. But it gives a false sense that chlorine itself is dangerous for the human body in excess, especially for children. Water safety is also hindered when people do inappropriate things in the water. A good water safety habit is not to do activities such as peeing or farting in the water. Also, don’t drink that water.
4.3) Unsupervised Access
Many kids have this habit of intruding into the pool without permission. Always have a water watcher around.
5. Start Swimming Lessons to Learn Swim Strokes and Self-rescue
Just floating in the water won’t help you in any way. You need to learn some swim strokes to make your body move. When you join swimming lessons, know this first. Learning to tread water can also be helpful.
Young children starting to learn swimming should learn this skill first. This skill will come to your use when you drown. Don’t rely on someone else to come and rescue you.
Keep in mind that Consistency is the key. Young children forget what they learn if they are not consistent with that thing. If you take a long break and one day you wake up to make him swim, he won’t be able to do that. Children learn to swim slowly, and it is a continuous process. But, as children age, they start remembering things.
Everyone has their preferences of whether to go swimming or not. Irrespective of whether or not it is good for them. So, forcing is not a solution. Otherwise, swimming is a good thing. Through the article, we figured out that 4-5 years of age is ideal to start swim lessons.
Rohit is pursuing a BBA degree at IIM Rohtak. He studies various subjects, from Sociology, Psychology, and Philosophy to Statistics, Calculus, Economics, Programming, and Soft Skills. He has interested in Marketing and Finance. He likes playing Cricket and Badminton and reading books in his leisure. He is a hardworking and a team player.
