Benefits of Swim Lessons on Early Childhood Development
Starting swim kids lessons for your child at an early age is essential; not only during those early development phases but also as they advance in age. At what age did you learn how to swim? Swimming isn't just a fun activity for kids, but it has various benefits ranging from physical, social to mental. The most important thing for you as a parent when engaging in swimming lessons for your kiddos is to stay alert always. Some parents prefer getting a professional to help during the learning process. Whether you take on the task yourself, enrol in lessons or hire a private at-home swimming tutor, there are so many advantages to getting your children comfortable in the water from an early age.
Below are some benefits of beginning swimming lessons for kids at an early age.
Mental Development
Every parent always looks forward to that day they’ll hear their child speak that first word. One of the benefits of learning to swim from a few months old is faster mental development. In the process of learning to swim, babies can easily coordinate their body movements to the mind. The mind gets stimulated, thus boosting brain development and intelligence. In the process of learning these mobility techniques, they also learn how to breathe deeper and make sounds.
Safety Skills for Swim Kids Lessons
If you want to promote your child developing strong bones and muscles at an early age, then don't miss out on those scheduled swimming lessons. Other than bone and muscle strength, swimming also allows them to develop proper coordination and flexibility, which helps with balance and in turn promotes safety skills. This way, they can easily avoid mishaps that result from frequent falling in kids or knocking themselves over. Swim pool kids are also learning fundamental lifesaving skills on how they can survive in water and avoid drowning. Nonetheless, you must always take precautions as a parent and supervise them at all times when at the pool.
Improves Social Skills
Unless your child is practising their swim lessons from home, they will always interact with other kids. It is always encouraged when kids are practising to swim, that you take them in an environment where they get to interact with others. This will boost not only their confidence but also their social skills from that early age because they have found other children whom they feel are like them. Group activities are just as fun for kids as they are for adults.
Boosts Confidence and Esteem
What was your experience like the first day you stepped into the pool? Having heeded all those safety warnings and caution around drowning, it is quite possible you must have been afraid at first, fearful of even moving away from the edge of the pool. If a child gets used to this at an early age, they gain some level of confidence. This is not just in the pool but also in life. Every single move they make is a boost of confidence, and nothing feels better than overcoming your fears. They won't learn this in their first swim, it is something that takes time and practice but will be a lifelong asset.
Health Benefits
Swimming is a very healthy exercise, especially for a child's cardiovascular health. Developing strong and healthy lungs goes a long way, not just during childhood but also as they grow. During swimming, children also learn discipline and endurance. With these skills, swim kids can quickly grow up to be self-driven and focused individuals who accomplish their set goals. Don't forget about sleep, which is a very crucial part of a child's life. Swimming can be a tiring activity that will make your child get some proper sleep at night.
It’s easier to teach kids how to swim than adults because unlike adults, their brains and learning pathways are still fresh and have not created any negative thoughts about the water or pools for that matter. They are quick to adapt and learn skills and there seems to be less fear. Not only is it a priceless lifelong skill, but it’s also essential to develop water safety and confidence from an early age. Plus, kids seem to have so much fun around water, even when you bath them at home, so imagine the amount of fun they will have when they are with their peers at the swimming pool. It’s not just a thing for the moment, but, this is something that will benefit them even later on in life. So get them into the water as early as possible.
Do you have your children in swimming lessons, and do you find it helpful? What age did you start them? Share your opinion below.
Rachel Burns has been writing on topics related to fitness and healthy eating for 2 years now. As a mother, she really appreciates the ease of raising children with her advice. Rachel specializes in plant-based diets. In addition to nutrition, she is also an exercise enthusiast.