Knowing how to swim is one of the most important skills that a child can have. It encourages physical fitness, builds confidence and gives you peace of mind. The toddler years are the perfect time to enroll your child in swimming lessons because at this age children are beginning to develop a higher level of independence.
This age is critical for gaining water safety and swimming skills as they can save your child’s life. Swimming is an excellent full body exercise. Children who learn to swim early will continue to enjoy water activities throughout their lives.
Pool parties, swim team or just an evening of hanging out at the beach become a desired way to spend a summer afternoon. It is important in today’s world where many children and adults are obese that we teach our children to remain active and healthy. Watching your child gain the physical strength and stamina needed to swim during swimming lessons is a great bonding experience that will strengthen your relationship with your child.
Toddlers are beginning to test the boundaries of their independence. Swimming lessons that begin during this age can help build confidence in your little one as well as teach them boundaries. A qualified swim instructor will carefully guide your child as their learn how to treat water with respect. In addition, swimming lessons will be a perfect place for your toddler to meet new people and build new friendships.
The most important reason to enroll your toddler in swimming lessons is for safety. Every year tragedy strikes when a small child drowns in a family pool or other body of water. It only takes seconds for a place that is a haven for family activity to become the scene of a terrible accident.
A toddler with some basic water safety skills will learn the importance of staying away from pools or other bodies of water when an adult is not present. They will learn survival strategies in case they do accidentally fall into water. Every second your child can keep their head above water and yell for help is a second that can save their life.
For these reasons it is important to teach your child to swim. The toddler years are the perfect time to use the pool to build friendships and confidence and give your child a skill that will benefit them for their entire lives.