Learning how to swim is one of life’s most valuable skills, and not only for the benefit of water safety. When you teach a child how to swim, it opens the door to one of the most enjoyable forms of recreation and fitness.
Learn to swim and enjoy water skiing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, river rafting, and tubing, surfing or playing in the ocean, or joining a competitive swim team, boating and fishing, and just being around water in general.
Learning to swim provides lifestyle opportunities, but it can also save a child’s life. Growing up with a fear of the water limits recreational choices, and could manifest itself into a deeper phobia of water.
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children aged 1-4, and the second leading cause of death for kids age 1-14. Drowning is a horrible tragedy, but avoidable one, in most cases.
However, for small children under 5 years old, complete proficiency is unlikely and should be supplemented with Layers of Protection around the pool, including 4-sided fences, pool alarms, and safety covers.
Teaching kids to swim is one of the most important parental responsibilities, just as important as teaching your child to look both ways before crossing the street.