May is National Water Safety Month -Learning to Swim
FAQs we get at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter
"How long will it take for my child to swim?" Children learn at their own pace and in their own way. Each child's individual personality, readiness, maturity, ability to follow directions, learning style, physical coordination, and practice time affect how long it takes to learn to swim.
"How important is learning to swim?" There are many reasons why it is important to learn how to swim: Safety, Discipline, Confidence, Social Skills and Physical Activity. I'm sure if you asked anyone, they could give you many different reasons. So, definitely get your kids out there to learn to swim. And if you don't know how to swim yourself, it's never too late to learn now. Just remember safety always comes first. Learning to swim is the only sport that can save a child's life.
How old should a child be to take swim lessons? The American Academy of Pediatrics used to recommend that you not begin formal swimming lessons until kids are at least 4 years old. That advice has changed though; they are no longer against aquatic programs and swimming lessons for younger children. Infant and toddler aquatic programs are very popular among parents and kids and are a good way to teach your kids to enjoy being in the water. They can also help teach parents about how to be safe around the water..
If my child takes swim lessons does this make them “Drown Proof”? Taking swim lessons will not "drown-proof" your child. While all of the YMCA classes teach safety skills, no child, no matter how good a swimmer, is every drown-proof. However, swim programs may not decrease your child's risk of drowning and are not a substitute for adult supervision and safety in the water, however some small studies have found that 'some drowning prevention skills can be learned' by children who take swim lessons.
Link to YMCA East Hampton RECenter Swim Lesson Schedule or call 631-329-6884 for more information
Now it’s your turn. Share your stories and tell us how old were you when you took your first lesson or your first swimming experience?
