"Swimming has been my passion since I was thirteen years old. On Saturdays I would help my mom and many volunteers teach Special Needs Children to appreciate water’s mobility (magic).  For them the challenges of no arms, legs, low muscle tone and may other issues made our job even more rewarding.  For some this was the only opportunity to truly move more freely, lengthening the spine, be able to stretch out and not be on a hard surface that limits movement. This was the experience that changed me. I knew that if these children could learn to swim and move in the water that any child could learn. So here I am, 42 years later doing what I love to do. Teaching children and adults to appreciate and enjoy the many benefits of water and most importantly, being safe in and around water."

Everyone loves the summer and all the fun it brings.  Children delight in playing with hoses, washing cars, watering plants, playing in bathtubs and in store bought plastic pools. Swimming is the natural next step.  There are many reasons why children should learn how to swim. Safety is the primary reason on my list.

Why Safety must always come first:  It is important to keep children safe by providing them with formal swimming lessons. The Centers for Disease Control cites “formal swimming lessons can prevent young children from drowning.”  It gives them a fighting chance to survive a fall into water. Drowning is the # 2 killer of children between the ages of 1 and 18. In many cases, this tragedy could have been avoided if the child simply knew basic swimming skills. One basic skill is being able to “back float” independently.  A child that falls into water or becomes a tired swimmer, who knows how to float, has the added advantage of surviving. It is most important that all children also learn, know and follow safety rules. This develops a respect for the water, lifeguards, swim instructors and adults that enforce the rules.  Knowing and following the rules can prevent serious and avoidable tragedies like falling or diving into shallow water.

Swimming is a valuable life skill for both children and adults.  It is best learned at an early age. As the child grows and develops so does their swimming skills. A more confident and skilled swimmer evolves.  Everyone should learn to swim for safety, personal health and enjoyment of all the fun water activities like boating, floating, beaches, skiing, fishing or just having fun in the water.

Discipline

Discipline is a key to success in the water. Children learn the rules and the consequences of breaking them.  Rules that are enforced will keep a child safe and instills good behavior.  Broken rules need to be addressed by taking the child out of the pool, sitting them in “time out” or removing them from the area.  Follow through and teach why there are rules for “their safety”.  Always praise good behavior and for being a good role model. Taking swimming lessons is not an option. Children don’t decide what time to go to bed or whether to go to school daily. This is not a democracy. Because children are loved and parents want for their safety, they must learn to swim.

Confidence

Building confidence is a big part to the success of swimming lessons.  The more a child learns, practices and improves the more confident they become.  Building confidence allows a child to want to learn more and become that safer, stronger swimmer.  Once a child begins swimming lessons it is so important to take them to the pool and get in with them to practice the skills learned in that week’s lessons.  You will see an amazing difference in your swimmer.

Physical Development

Swimming is a wonderful form of exercise, allowing movement, coordination and agility that aids in the physical development of children.  Swimming requires that both arms and legs work in coordination of the body to propel through the water.  Many other sports do not have the same benefits of total body conditioning that swimming does.  Developing gross motor skills, coordination, and flexibility, range of movement, and muscle strength and endurance is key to the physical development of all children.

Social Skills

Swimming teaches social skills.  Children learn to watch and interact with other students, teachers and adults. Learning to take turns, share equipment, and respect others in the water teaches them about group activities and how to be with and around other people. During swim lessons and pool rules time, children are taught that rough playing in the water can hurt someone or themselves and they need to take responsibility for others.  They talk to each other, learn about others and build friendships.  They learn about patience and listening to one another and the importance of good behavior, respectfulness and politeness.

Physical Activity

Swimming takes children away from the TV, computer and video games.  It get’s them out of the chair and off the sofa to an activity that is fun and beneficial to their health.  With obesity on the rise children need to have physical activity that they enjoy doing without even realizing that they are exercising. Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases.  Swimming aids in the development of both strength and cardiovascular health and teaches them good habits that will they can use for the rest of their lives. Plus, swimming is excellent for reducing stress and enjoying one of life’s simple pleasures-Water

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/

As there are many, these are only a few reasons why it is important to learn how to swim. Asking anyone why they think it is important to learn to swim and they could give many different reasons. So, it is imperative to enroll children in swimming lessons, beginner or advanced.  And for parents who don't know how to swim themselves, it's never too late to learn. Just remember safety must always come first. Nothing can replace the most precious of all treasures----OUR CHILDREN.

 Swimming Lesson Flyer

Special Child Swimming Lessons