Most parents consider infant swim lessons to be an essential activity, and for good reason. But why exactly are infant swim lessons important, and at what age should you enroll your child? First, consider these facts about child swim safety…
- Drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury-related death for children ages one through four in the U.S.
- Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14 in the U.S.
- Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged one to four.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends swim lessons to protect against drowning for children starting at the age of one.
So, while infant swim lessons are often considered more of a fun activity for your kids, learning to swim at a very young age should be a priority in every household for safety reasons. Simply put, introducing your child to swim lessons at a young age will be one of the most effective ways to help prevent drowning early and even later in life.
What your children’s infant swim lesson should look like
What exactly should your child be learning, and what kind of infant swim lessons work best?
If you’re starting swim lesson early on, classes that include both parents and their child are a good way to introduce good water safety habits and help your little one feel comfortable in the pool.
At Diventures, our “Baby and Me” infant swim lessons are an ideal way to introduce children at least six months old up to the age of three to swimming with a parent or guardian by their side in the pool. Your little tike will develop skills such as underwater breath control equal to a ten count, grabbing the wall and climbing out of the pool, back floating with their ears under the surface of the water, and moving forward through the water independently using arms and legs.
Other swim lessons available for two- and three-year-olds include Aquababy and Aquatike session, respectively. With these sessions, parents can encourage from the pool deck and review their child’s progress at the end of the class.
Safety is our #1 priority
The AAP calls swim lessons at an early age a “layer of protection” against drowning. Nevertheless, some parents fear infant swim lessons or procrastinate going to the pool because they are afraid of drowning, which can tragically backfire. That’s why it’s vital that you choose an aquatic center with highly-qualified instructors trained to work with infants and kids that make safety the top priority, such as here at Diventures.
Best of all, besides helping to ensure their safety in the water, your kids will have fun, and your family will create early memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime!