We should all learn to swim. There are no exceptions other than those who have specific diseases preventing them from getting in the water. Any child who isn’t taught how to swim is at risk of drowning if they ever end up trapped in the water.
Of course, no one plans to bring their child to the water when they don’t know how to swim. (At least, not without supervising them carefully) However, there are always occasions where an unfortunate accident occurs.
Swimming lessons are important for kids for more reasons than just that one. In this article, we’ll tell you about all the advantages your child will gain if you teach them to swim at young age.
If you would like to know why you should teach your child to swim from as young an age as possible, (wait until they are at least six months old, so they aren’t as fragile as when they’re new-born) then take a look below!
Habits are More Easily Formed at a Young Age
The majority of our long-lasting habits are formed between the ages of 1-5 years old. Of course, we will still form new habits for the rest of our lives, but the first five years of our lives are where they come almost automatically.
A baby’s mind is still fresh and absorbs information at an incredible rate. You’ve likely noticed that your child is capable of mimicking something you did a single time after months.
In the same way, a baby can also learn to handle themselves in the water better than when they’re older. No baby will be able to swim on their own, but if they’re exposed to water during those young ages, they’ll learn how to swim expertly much quicker than their peers who weren’t exposed.
Swimming can Prevent Asthma and Boost Lung Strength
Young children who are exposed to the water often have less chance of suffering from asthma. While asthma is hereditary, developing your lungs through practice in the water makes them strong enough to avoid those symptoms.
Swimming may not completely remove the risk nor cure asthma. However, it should reduce the symptoms at the very least. If your child already suffers from asthma, let them take it slowly. Swimming requires a lot of breath control which they may find difficult. If they succeed, it will improve their endurance both in the water and on land.
Swimming at a Young Age will Relieve Fears of Deep Water
Many young children are afraid of the water. There are plenty of reasons why this is the case. Generally, the inability to breath is why most children are afraid of the water.
Exposing them while they’re still young helps them realize that they don’t need to be afraid once they’re learned to swim. Of course, you’ll be right alongside them as they learn, so the child will learn to trust the water, themselves, and you all at once!
Swimming can Save Their Life!
As we already mentioned, knowing how to swim could save your child’s life one day. If they every find themselves in a deeper portion of the swimming pool or accidentally pulled further out at the beach, knowing how to swim well will keep them alive.
The more people who know how to swim the better. In the event that someone who can’t swim gets trapped, there will be a higher ratio of people that can rush out to save them.
Swimming Helps to Boost Overall Health
Swimming, itself, is quite therapeutic. It is considered one of the best forms of exercise as it requires the use of almost every muscle in your body. Professional swimmers are so fit that they could easily take up any other sport and have all the muscle necessary for it.
Your lungs and heart also benefit from swimming. Breath control while swimming helps you to control your lungs better. Your heart and blood-flow will also be improved from consistent swimming.
Get Your Child Swimming Lessons Today
These are just a few reasons why it is important to start swimming lessons young. Any age from six months and older is viable. Of course, you will need to swim with your child when they’re still very young. You’ll have an excuse to spend more time with them while doing so at least.
Common Strokes Taught in Swimming Lessons
Swimming is a difficult subject to master. There are so many factors to consider when doing so. Not only do you need to learn how to survive in the water on a general level, but you also need to know the various strokes needed to swim well.
In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the more commonly taught strokes in swimming lessons. If you or your child is undergoing swimming lessons, you or they should learn all of these at some point.
If you would like to know about the various common strokes taught in swimming lessons that may just save your life, then read on!
Freestyle
Freestyle is typically the first and most common type of stroke that is taught. It is one of the easiest to learn and use as a beginner swimmer.
When using a freestyle swimming stroke, you will kick with your legs and plunge forward with your arms, one by one. As your right arm hits the water, your left arm should be facing behind you in line with your body.
You can kick your feet in any back and forth sequence so long as the motion is evenly distributed. If it isn’t, then you will find yourself swimming in a circle. The same goes for your arms. They should be moving in a symmetrical motion to keep you from swimming sideways.
The freestyle stroke is quite easy to get a hang of and helps you learn the means of balance in the water. You should be learning this as one of the first strokes you learn. Other strokes that may come first are things such as doggie style. (A very simple way of staying above water in emergencies)
Breaststroke
Breaststroke is quite similar to freestyle. Your leg movement will be the same. However, instead of using your arms in a circular motion, you will bring both to your breast and press forward.
As you push your arms forward from your chest, keep them together until they are fully extended right in front of you. Once they are fully extended, turn your hands away from one another and push them around from there to your sides.
When you’re about to reach your sides, bring the arms back to your chest and repeat the process. Your arms should move as one. Even the slightest difference can cause you to swim haphazardly.
Backstroke
Backstroke is much like freestyle, except you’re on your back. You will still kick your legs one by one. Technically, you will be kicking them in the reverse of a freestyle stroke, but it is more or less the same thing.
Your arms will be going in a rotating motion from pointing forward to pointing away from you at your sides. Again, each arm should be in the exact opposite position to the other. Also, they should be moving in the opposite direction so that you will be swimming backward.
Backstroke has the advantage of leaving your head above the water, allowing you to breathe while swimming. The disadvantage is you can’t see where you’re going! Either way, it is important to learn them both.
Butterfly
The butterfly stroke is one of the more advanced kinds of swimming strokes. You will use your arms in the same way as you do in a breaststroke, starting from your breast and pushing outward.
You perform a similar movement with your legs. Bring your legs to your backside at the same time as your arms reach your breast. Push them out as your arms go out and push to either side simultaneously to your arms.
Performing the butterfly stroke requires perfect movement. If you mess up any of it, you’ll find yourself flailing about like a crazy thing. However, if you successfully perform a butterfly stroke, you can swim quite fast both on the surface and underwater.
These are a few of the more common swimming strokes that you will learn during swimming lessons. No stroke is superior to another and all of them can be used in certain circumstances.
At the end of the day, you should learn as many strokes as you can to maximize your skills in the water and ensure your survival should you fall in at any point.