Swimming is a water activity that is done in a pool or open waters. The person swimming will travel through the water using different methods and styles. This is an activity that can be learnt and enjoyed from a young age.
Why should you teach your kids how to swim?
As said by the National Safe Kids Campaign, drowning is the second highest cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for children that are ages one to fourteen. This can be better prevented by teaching kids how to swim from a young age with swimming lessons for kids. If they are familiar with water, it makes the experience of swimming much safer.
Swimming is also a great form of exercise and works the entire body. It is a great cardio workout that burns calories quickly. Although swimming for kids is not an intention to make them lose weight, if you want to ensure your kids are getting regular exercise, this can be a fun alternative to other activities. This can encourage your children to adopt a healthier life style later on in life. It is something that they are able to continue into their adulthood. Taking this further, they are able to form a hobby out of it. They may be able to compete in competitions and take their experience of swimming further.
Swim lessons at home VS Professional swim lessons
Swim Lessons at Home - If you are a confident swimmer yourself, you might decide to teach your kids how to swim. This can be a cost effective method as you most likely will not have to pay unless you are attending a public pool. Your kid is most likely going to be more confident in your presence and trust you to keep them safe in the water.
Professional Swim Lessons - Whilst you do have to spend money to get private swimming lessons, they are professionals who teach swimming for kids on a daily basis. If your child is nervous, it might be better to have them taught 1-2-1 with a professional. They are able to adapt the lesson to determine what your kid needs. They are convenient as you do not need to take time out of your schedule to teach your child how to swim on a regular basis.
What about group lessons? Group sessions provide a nice medium for costs. They do cost more than teaching your child at home, but on average they cost less than private lessons. They encourage your children to engage with other learners where they can learn confidence and social skills. However, you need to ensure that the class is not too big for you do not want your child to struggle for the instructors attention.
Swimming Styles
Freestyle
This swimming style is when you lie on your stomach in the water and travel forward by alternating your arm movements in the water. This looks similar to windmill movements. As you do this, you should kick your feet up and down.
Backstroke
This is a very similar style to the freestyle stroke, but it is done whilst you are on your back. Once again, alternate your arms and kick your feet up and down. You should be able to look up as you do this and your face should not be under the water. Your breathing should not be held much during this swimming style. It is suggested that you breath as one arm passes your ear and exhale as the other arm passes you ear.
Breaststroke
This is the most commonly learned stroke. This is used to teach beginners how to swim. It doesn't involve placing your head underwater. You perform this style by moving your arms under the water in a half circular movement whilst kicking your legs at the same time in the same movement. If you are interested in swimming for kids, this might be a great starter swimming style.
Basic Swimming Skills
There are some very simple skills that teaching children would be helpful in the process of their swimming journey. Allow them to establish a breathing technique. They need to establish at what point they are able to inhale as to not swallow any water. If they are also able to move each part of their body simultaneously, such as moving their arms along with their legs, it would enhance their swimming experience. However, with experience comes skills and this is something that they can get from swimming for kids.
