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Ultimate Toddler Swimming Guide

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  • October 17, 2020
  • MKB Team

Benefits & safety aspects for introducing your child to swimming

Here's everything you need to know from the perfect age to start swimming to the safety aspects and the tons of swimming benefits!

Summer is almost here, it's scorching hot outside, you are already craving ice-creams and soft drinks and at this time what could be a better activity than splashing into the oh-so-refreshing swimming pool? The vacation bell has rung and it's the best time of the year to get your children enrolled for the cooling and relaxing swimming lessons. But wait, are you wondering if swimming is safe for your little ones and if it is BENEFICIAL at all? Stress not, MomsKnowBest is here with not just answers to all your questions but also with a list of surprising benefits of this enjoyable form of exercise.

At what age should children ideally start swimming?

As every child is different, no specific age can be considered perfect for all, but it is commonly suggested, to begin with the professional swimming lessons from the age of four. However, there is no harm in taking you younger babies in the pool earlier as long as they are constantly supervised. It's a great way to get them used to the water and once they are comfortable, they will start having more fun and will want to come back to the pool. It's also said that the earlier the babies get used to the water, the quicker they'll learn to swim. No doubt, it will give you and the baby some fun time to bond and connect. Don't wait till it's too late to start with the swimming lessons, as we are sure you don't want to miss out on the bucket full of benefits that this sport provides!

 

But, before jumping on to the benefits, we'd first like to answer the most frequently asked question-

What are the safety precautions to be taken?

 

Drowning is one of the most common issues addressed when spending time near the lake, sea, swimming pools or the bathtubs. Children might find it difficult to save themselves in such situations even if they have been taking their swimming lessons regularly. Parents should make it a point to never leave them unattended in the pool, even if it's for a tiny second. As the area around the pool is too slippery, enforce a 'No Running' rule near the swimming pool to avoid unnecessary injuries to the kids. It is advisable to let your kids take professional swimming lessons unless you are an expert yourself. Keep a first-aid kit handy at all times.

Don't forget to apply a good sunscreen to your swimming star before they dive into the pool. The sun will surely help to boost the vitamin D levels but at the same time can cause serious dehydration, sunburn and heat fatigue. The best way to deal with it is to take frequent water breaks and rest breaks. The last but the most important thing is to maintain maximum hygiene. Make sure the babies are wearing appropriate swim diapers and toddlers are taking frequent bathroom breaks. The children can carry in some fun toys and floats to make their swimming experience much more fun and interesting! But do make sure that all the toys are well cleaned and sanitised. It's extremely important to provide your children with the perfect swim gear like swimming goggles, swimming caps, swim nappies, rash vest (if required) and swim clothes to have a safer, better and more pleasant experience. You can also order a SWIM SET for girls and boys, which is readily available and has everything that they will need in one pack, for their swimming adventures.

Now that we are aware of all the precautions and safety measures to be taken let's dive right into the benefits of swimming for your little one!

  • 1. It kicks off the fear and negative correlations that children might develop with the water: Many children start to fear water at an early age and if they do not overcome it at the right time, it can become a fear of a lifetime. Just being in the pool under the supervision of an elder is a great way to make children comfortable with water and get them ready for future swimming lessons. Now that we are aware of all the precautions and safety measures to be taken let's dive right into the benefits of swimming for your little one!

  • 2. It helps in early development: Researches say, swimming broadly enables children to enhance skills like balance, posture, coordination and concentration. They tend to have an upper hand in movement and grasping techniques as compared to the non-swimmer children.

  • 3. Helps boost confidence: Learning a new skill at an early age surely helps boost confidence and develops solid blocks of self-esteem in the kids. It's a great way to learn a new survival skill which will help them throughout their life. They can also master this sport and become professionals in the near future.

  • 4. Uplifts the mood: Swimming helps the kids to get rid of their daily pressures and encourages them to be more happy, relaxed and tension-free. It's a refreshing experience which uplifts their mood and indirectly motivates them to do better in every aspect of life. It also allows them to play and enjoy in the water which is truly refreshing and leaves them with a more peaceful and health fuller state of mind.

  • 5. Improves mental & emotional health: It's an absolute stress buster! Swimming greatly aids earlier brain and cognitive development and has proven to increase emotional intelligence.

  • 6. Encourages a healthy lifestyle: It is considered to be an all-body work-out, it gets your heart racing and blood moving throughout the body and strengthens the muscles quicker. It is an enjoyable exercise and the majority of kids prefer swimming over the other tiresome sports. It also helps in reducing those extra doughnut pounds, thereby maintaining overall fitness.

 

Now that you know of all these benefits, there is no reason to not let your kids opt for an interesting and amusing swimming lesson. Learning swimming now will benefit them in plenty of ways in the future. After all, it's never a bad idea to add a skill to your child's talent list. You should also teach your kids a lot of other activities like reading, dancing, public speaking from an early age. This will surely help them lead a more confident, happy and successful life. Now, don't shy away and tell us about the funniest swimming experiences that you've had with your baby.


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MKB Team

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