When the weather gets hot, many children enjoy cooling off by taking a swim. Swimming is generally easy to learn and is a good form of exercise. A child could swim in variety of places---from a pool in the backyard, to the ocean, to a water park. As with any sport, some knowledge and a few safety precautions can assure a fun time for everyone.
Swimming Safety
The KidsHealth website discourages children from ever swimming alone. An adult should always be present. Pool rules should always be obeyed. Do not run around the pool. Do not push kids or jump on them. Doing so can lead to injury or even drowning. Do not swim in water that is too deep; stay in shallow water especially if just learning how to swim. Eating or chewing gum while swimming can cause choking.
Learn How to Swim
There are many places that provide swimming lessons, including gyms, YMCAs or the American Red Cross. A parent or friend can teach a child herself. PBS Kids explains that children can learn to swim at any age. Flotation devices can be used when learning. Teach children to stay in shallow water and to only swim when someone else is present or a lifeguard is watching over everyone. When a child gets tired of swimming, he should immediately take a break at the side of the pool. A child should also learn that waiting an hour after eating before getting in the pool is a good way to avoid muscle cramps.
Places to swim
According to KidsHealth, it is important to follow a few precautions when swimming in places like lakes and the ocean. The water can be deeper than it appears. Because of that, parents should always be present when children are swimming. Lakes, ponds and oceans may also harbor broken bottles, weeds, trash and fish. Undertows and rip currents are very dangerous in the ocean. Watch for signs or flags that warn of these conditions.
Exercise
Swimming is a good form of exercise. In fact, PBS Kids says it is one of the best workouts a child can do. This is because almost all of the major muscle groups work simultaneously. Water gives 10 times more resistance than that of air, meaning a child is getting both a cardio and weight resistance workout. Swimming is not hard on the joints or bones because a child floats and the legs do not jolt against any solid surfaces. Swimming can be an entertaining form of exercise that has enough variety to keep a child coming back for more.
Miscellaneous
To prevent conditions like "swimmer's ear," an ear infection that results from swimming, the Mayoclinic encourages the use of earplugs when swimming. Towel dry a child's ears and put alcohol-based ear drops in them to help dry out the water. If a child's eyes are red or puffy after swimming, she may have a sensitivity to chlorine or bacteria. To prevent this, provide goggles for a child's use. After swimming, use eyewash or artificial tear drops to rinse a child's eyes.
Member Comments