Learning to Swim

There were 416 drowning deaths of children under the age of twelve during the summer of 2011, as reported by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. Seventy percent of the deaths of these young children were in a swimming pool or spas. Of all the unintentional deaths of children nationally, drowning is the second leading cause. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that an average of 5,100 pool- or spa-related submersion injuries were treated in hospital emergency departments each year from 2008 through 2010. Many deaths and injuries occurred in portable pools.

Parents across our country are alarmed at these statistics. Public awareness and improved swimming pool barriers are desperately needed.

The best thing, however, that parents can do is to teach their children to swim. This should begin at a very early age.

Water safety is the most immediate benefit of learning to swim. Knowing how to react in an emergency situation and feeling safe in and near the water is crucial. Good swim lessons will teach more than just swimming. They will also teach you overall water safety.

Children get a real sense of achievement when they learn to swim. Going from their initial fear toward success in the water makes kids feel great about themselves. With the right teachers, the learning experience will be a positive experience.

For babies and toddlers, there are mommy and me swim lessons, which are a good option for parents and children to get used to the water together and gain confidence in the swimming pool. As As they progress with their swim lessons, children will learn the proper swim stroke techniques and correct breathing. They will begin to feel comfortable in the water. Swimming will improve their overall health, providing an excellent cardio workout. They will also learn more than just the crawl stroke. They will learn the back stroke, the side stroke (also called the scissor stroke), the breast stroke, the butterfly stroke and more. Learning all these swimming strokes will increase physical endurance.

Don't think that you can achieve the same result by giving your child the opportunity to learn to swim on their own. Under the supervision of a certified swimming instructor, your child will have the best opportunity to progress correctly.

So, where do you take your kids for swimming lessons? In California, the Kids Activities Websites have details listed for swimming lessons in the Inland Empire communities and swimming lessons in the greater Los Angeles communities. If you don't live in California, check your local parks and recreation departments or surf the web for professional swim schools. The colleges in your area may also offer swimming programs for children in the summertime. Community aquatics centers have lessons also. Your child will be swimming before you know it!

Your child will have fun when they gain confidence in the water. Swimming is probably the favorite sport of most children. After completing the swim lesson program, many kids join diving teams, swim teams and water polo clubs.But best of all, by providing swim lessons for your child; you will be doing the best you can to ensure your child's safety in and around the water.

Janine Stormington is a parent who is always looking for ways to keep her children safe, busy and enjoying life. She is currently developing a website of Phoenix Kids Activities. Learning to Swim