According to the Red Cross, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children 1 to 14. A child should never be left unattended in or around the water – even in your home pool, where statistics show toddlers are most susceptible.
Learning to swim is not only a necessary safety measure; it’s a fun physical activity that families can enjoy together.
SwimWays, the creator of the Swim Steps program that helps kids learn to swim, suggests four simple steps to help you introduce your children to the water and set the stage for a lifetime of swimming:
Get your child comfortable in the water at an early age. You can introduce babies to the water using a baby float. The SwimWays Baby Spring Float for example, provides a mesh play space for toys and splashing. Teach your kids that the water is a fun place to play.
Explore the water with your child using special swim-training aids. The Swim Steps line includes sweaters and vests that help your little one balance and paddle –two important pre-swimming skills.
Once your children are ready to learn to swim, use a graduated flotation device, such as the Power Swimr, to allow them to develop swimming abilities at their own pace. Be sure to keep an active eye and supervise at all times.
While you might feel your little one has the skills to swim without help, remember: it takes a lot of courage to traverse the water alone.
It’s often beneficial for children to ease into swimming with extra support before taking their first solo strokes. Kids can use kickboards as they begin to master swimming skills and gain the confidence needed to swim successfully.
Look for ways your family can participate in National Learn to Swim Day at
www.teachmetoswim.com. Before you know it, your child will be a fish in the water.
– Courtesy of StatePoint
Post a Comment