Swimming is an active sport that can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels, including preschoolers. Preschool ages between 3 and 5 are a good time to institute the basic fundamentals of swimming techniques. Swimming lessons are a good starting point to making sure your preschooler is learning the essential skills in order to swim safely. There are several advantages to starting your child off with swimming lessons and the rewards will last a lifetime.
Water Safety
Children and water safety is something that most parents consider when their children are very young. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for preschoolers and children before the age of 4. One way you can make sure your child feels safe and comfortable around the water is to start off with swimming lessons. Preschoolertoday.com explains that at the ages of 3 and 4, most children are more coordinated and able to follow instructions. This is a good learning time for them and a great way to teach them the fundamentals of swimming. Your preschooler can learn basic swimming techniques such as how to hold his breath underwater, how to stay above water and how to stay afloat. Swimming lessons also teach basic safety tips, such as how to safely get in and out of a pool and learning that it is only safe to swim with an adult present.
Fear Reduction
Some preschoolers are fearless when it comes to water, while others are more apprehensive. It is important for children to feel comfortable around water and not be so fearful that it interferes with water activities. Once a child learns how to swim and understands the basic concepts of swimming, he can easily take his love for swimming to the next level. Swimming at an early age gives him a head start on a lifetime of swimming activities because he has the confidence, competence and aquatic skills already in place.
Exercise
Swimming offers a great workout for your preschooler. Kids Fitness Central explains that your child should engage in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Swimming is a great way to keep your preschooler heart healthy and in good physical shape. Swimming engages all of the muscle groups, including the arms, legs and torso. Swimming offers good resistance to keep muscles lean and trim. Swimming also helps your preschooler fine tune his motor skills, including coordinating movement and repetitive techniques.
Socialization
The early preschool age is a time when many kids are making the transition from being in the security of home to being away from familiar surroundings. Socialization is key when it comes to preschoolers making new friends and gaining a small amount of independence, explains Kidsenabled.org. Swimming is a sport where he can meet and play with other children his age. A swimming group that meets regularly at the local YMCA or community center allows him to be around a specific age group and introduces him to socialization within his peer group.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Drownings: The Reality
- Preschoolerstoday.com; In the Swim of Things: Getting Your Preschooler To Embrace the Water; Julia Rosien
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Pool Safety for Children
- Kids Fitness Central: Swimming, A Great Exercise for Kids
- Kids Enabled: The Pursuit of Wellness by Swimmin
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