Infant and Preschool Swimming and Water Safety

Swimming is an enjoyable and healthy activity for almost everyone. For many people, swimming is a simple activity learned at an early age, but there is also a significant number of people who cannot learn or do not know how to swim due to phobias. Overcoming fears or learning new skills is more difficult in adulthood. Therefore, learning certain activities such as swimming during childhood is very important.

While some believe that swimming education for children should start after the age of 4, others argue that it can begin earlier. One institution that has changed its stance on this matter is the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Academy has revised its previous recommendation regarding when young children should benefit from swimming lessons. Previously, it did not recommend swimming lessons before the age of 4. Now, it suggests that children between 1 and 4 years old can participate in water and swimming programs and enroll in lessons. The main reason for the previous 4-year limit was the belief that infants and preschool children were not developmentally ready to learn. However, this perception has changed recently, and all children under 4 can receive swimming education based on their parents' wishes. Early swimming education is very important and highly beneficial. Some benefits of swimming lessons at an early age include: children learn to enjoy water, parents gain knowledge about water safety, children begin learning water survival skills, it contributes to motor skills and muscle development, helps the development of heart and lung health, has positive effects on allergies and asthma, aids in regulating sleep, teaches children about safety, reduces stress and anxiety, and provides opportunities for social interaction.

For information and application for the Infant and Preschool Swimming and Water Safety Instructor Training, click here.