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Into the Swim as Early as Possible
Bub Hub E-Newsletter, September 2008, Issue 72 - Article 4


Numerous speakers at the recent World Aquatic Babies Congress's Conference in Wellington, New Zealand, reinforced the many developmental benefits gained by infants and toddlers from 'swimming lessons'. The sensory-motor stimulation, particularly in such a weight-bearing medium, is enormous - and unique. Factor in the close bonding time with the parent(s) and interaction with others, and one can readily appreciate what a wonderful contribution the lessons can make to the little one's physical, social and emotional wellbeing.


However, in Australia, it is usually for safety reasons that parents bring their offspring along to the Swim School. And this is for good reasons. All it takes in one momentary lapse of concentration and your child wanders off. They don't understand the hidden dangers of water and they can't swim...

Drowning is the most common cause of accidental death for kids under the age of five in Australia. The most recent records from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that 229 children in this age group died this way between 1999 and 2003. The current National Drowning Report states that 35 in that age bracket drowned in the 2006 - 2007 year.

For every preschooler who drowns, Kidsafe Australia says another three of four children are admitted to hospital after nearly drowning. Many are left with some form of permanent brain damage.

Swim Australia believes the statistics could be changed by making swimming lessons an integral part of a child's upbringing.

While swimming lessons aren't a substitute for proper fences and constant parental supervision of children around water, they add another layer of protection. Swimming lessons don't make children 'waterproof;' or 'drown-proof' or even 'water-safe'. But kids who learn to swim are 'water safer'.


When To Start
The bathtub, or the like, at home is the perfect place to start. In appropriate facilities with properly trained teachers, lessons can start from 4 months onwards. The basic water safety skills start to click in between 12 and 24 months.

Initially, children learn skills such as how to control their breathing in the water, how to float, and how to get to a safe area in the water. They learn to turn around and go back to the side of a pool and how to 'monkey' along the side of a pool to safety. Back floating is another survival skill; however, there will be times when it's not a developmental fit for the child - do not force it at these times … it's not worth the angst.

All these skills give children a longer period of survival time in the water before help comes; but they should not be relied upon.

Significantly, too, to master such skills children need to be learning with their minds and bodies relax - not pressured. This will also enable them to pick up the intricacies of the strokes further down the track.

The earlier you enrol your littlies in swimming classes, the easier the experience will be for them. The longer you leave it, the harder it can be for a child to settle. They may have heard people say things like "Don't go near the water, you'll drown" and start to associate potential negatives with water. Then you suddenly say, "Let's go to swimming lessons - that will be fun", but that doesn't equate with what your child has heard about water. Be aware of making negative comments about water to your child. Instead of warning them that if they go near the pool or ocean they could drown, calmly tell them not to go near the water unless they're with an adult.


We Are Off!
Once they've started lessons, don't expect too much too soon - allow your child time to trust their swimming teacher, and don't expect a perfect doggy paddle or backstroke in weeks.

Allow your child time to relax in the water because that's when they learn better. One of the worst things you can do is push - they won't learn properly and that affects the learning of the next skill and the next. If your child plateaus for a while, don't get frustrated. As with anything else, all children learn at different speeds.

Going through a rough patch? You've just got to persevere. Swimming - or at least being able to stay afloat and get to a safe area - is a non-negotiable survival skill. Children should be able to swim 300-400m, using a mixture of strokes, by the time they leave the swim school. After reaching this stage, your child has an ingrained ability they'll be able to rely on at any stage in life.

The key is to ensure the first lessons are enjoyable, at least unpressured.

To enhance your child's first swimming experience, take them along to a class similar to theirs a week before they start lessons. Be positive in pointing our how the children are having fun and how they're not forced to do things they can't do.

It's unusual for children not to relax in the water after a few lessons, but some children take to the water immediately while others apprehensive and take a few weeks to settle down. Just don't give up.

And don't push! Encourage. The skills will be learnt best when the child is relaxed. As the great US aquatic educator Rob McKay is fond of saying, "the slower they go, the faster and better they learn".


Dads Too!
Infant classes - where a parent is in the water with the littlie - are now very 'dad-friendly'. In fact, in many sessions it is now the dads that make up the most numbers. This is particularly so on Saturday mornings and where evening classes are available. The trend is sure to continue as many Swim Schools are now offering classes on Sundays to meet the demands of changing work-family dynamics.

We don't like to say swimming lessons make children 'waterproof' or 'drown-proof' or even - 'water safe'. But children who learn to swim are definitely 'water safer'.


Getting Ready For Swimming Lessons

  • All teachers should have a nationally recognised swimming teaching qualification - Swim Australia Teacher or equivalent.
  • Choose a swim school with a well-maintained pool and good facilities.
  • Where possible, all students should have around the same level of experience.
  • The activities should be varied and fun so your child remains interested.
  • At no stage should force be used.
  • When learning submersions, they should be well cued and not made to submerge if not ready to do so.
  • Have a dress rehearsal at home so your child is used to their swimwear and goggles.
  • Arrive relaxed and early so your child is calm and can get used to the surroundings.
  • Keep your child away from the pool edge and make sure they don't run.



The images used in this article were supplied to Swim Australia by Swim Image Photography.



This article was kindly supplied by father of two, Ross Gage (BHMS (Ed) University of Queensland), the CEO of Swim Australia and the Director of the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association. For a full list of Registered Swim Schools, check out the Swim Australia website.

website: www.swimaustralia.org.au






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