Why Swimming Lessons Should Be a Must for Water Safety

When it comes to the pool or lake, some kids love jumps, others need their goggles or mask and some won’t go without a favorite toy. Yet 100% of kids who head to the water can benefit from swimming lessons.

“More than 10 people drown in our country every day,” said Twila Perkinson, a certified Child Life Specialist at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center. “It’s the leading cause of death for children 4 and younger. One of four drownings is a child.”

Perkinson said swimming lessons do not “drown proof” anyone – but they can make a giant difference in safety. Developing a plan – as a family – can make time at the lake, river or pool more fun because it’s more secure.

Make Safe Swimming a Family Affair

Getting every child used to the water, with mom, dad and older siblings, is a great way to ensure any fear of water doesn’t happen. Even kids too young to understand techniques or concepts can float in the arms of their parents. Then the basics of water safety can begin.

“The first thing all kids should know is the water is OK, if you’re with an adult,” Perkinson said. “Young children also should learn not to jump into any water, to avoid running or horsing around and other simple safety measures.”

Basics also include never going in the water without permission. It’s up to adults to ensure safe fun around the water. “Older siblings, under your supervision, can also help toddlers and youngest kids get used to swimming.”

Perkinson added that adults who have no formal lessons in swimming can take them in parallel with their children – albeit in separate classes.

Help Build on Swimming Concepts

Kids who are younger than 4 may not grasp concepts taught in formal lessons. You can get guidance from the Red Cross, YMCA or other certified swimming education agency in your community. Yet young kids can begin with the basics and you, as the parent, can review what they’ve learned each time you go swimming.

“Use the building-block method. For example, learn to blow bubbles in the water. Then build on those lessons,” said Perkinson. “If you enroll in lessons, ask questions and ensure they are taught by a certified instructor with proper training.”

Intermediate things a young child can learn include:

• What to do if the water is deeper/you can’t touch the bottom
• How swimming in a lake is not like a pool
• Simple strokes, such as the dog paddle or America crawl
• That while hot tubs and spas might seem small, they can be dangerous
• How to hold your breath both above and below the water.

“You’ll want to make it fun and keep trying if a child seems a bit scared or not interested in the water,” Perkinson said. “Forcing swimming lessons on anyone will make a fear of the water worse.”

If children don’t seem to be making progress, be patient and try again at another outing.

Why Kids Should Learn to Swim for Life

Beyond safety, when kids gain confidence in their ability to swim, it can become a lifelong activity. “It’s among the most challenging exercises out there,” Perkinson said. “Kids can join teams, learn to dive and more.”

Just remember the safety basics, every time you go. “Always assign a water watcher. Remember even kids of any age who are strong swimmers can still face risks in the water,” she said. “We all can. But swimming together as a family is a true summer treat.”

Get more tips from our child life specialists.