Apart from being a fun summer sport, swimming is regarded as a life skill that everyone should learn. This is one of the vital skills you can help your child to pick up as early as 3 months old! However, most kids' swimming classes recommend parents to stay with their kids, participating in the lessons with them until they are at least four. Why is that? This article is put together by the experts here at Aqua Artist to teach you why we believe parental involvement is needed in teaching swimming to a kid. Let’s jump in:
.jpg)
One of the leading reasons why parental involvement is important in swimming lessons is the improved safety it provides. Water can be dangerous, especially for young children. Since drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children ages one through 14, as parents, you must take the necessary steps to make the children comfortable in and around the water for their safety.
Yes, there will be an instructor to take care of your kid in the pool. While the teacher is trained to keep an eye on all the students, having the parents present makes sure that each child receives the individual attention they need with close supervision.
Water can be big and frightening to many kids, especially toddlers, in an unfamiliar environment. Some also feel separation anxiety when they are put in with a bunch of strangers. Being able to get through it with their mum or dad can boost their confidence in water. You, as a parent know your children best. You can encourage them personally in yourkid’s swimming lessons and provide support that instructors might not be able to offer. This encouragement helps little ones overcome their fears and try new skills, leading to a more enjoyable learning experience.-5oqwj1.jpg)
The practice time and efforts are increased with parental involvement. Parents getting in the pool with their kids mean more one-on-one practice with special care. When this support is given consistently by a child’s favourite kind of people (that’s you, of course!), they tend to learn it faster, leading to better propulsion in the water and overall improved technique.
Parents can also physically guide their kid’s movements to create the right neuromuscular patterns between the brain and the muscles, needed for swimming effectively. For instance, you can guide your little one’s arms and legs to paddle and kick the water. This will help them learn the correct technique. No matter how great the swim teacher is, there will always be more movement with parents. This approach is especially beneficial for younger kids who need more physical reinforcement to practice the skills.
We are living in a busy world and finding quality time to spend with our children can be really challenging. Swimming lessons offer a unique opportunity for parents to bond with their kids, away from technology, siblings and other commitments. This also provides emotional support to your kid, aiding their overall personality development. When parents praise and encourage, kids feel valued and confident in their abilities which helps them master the sport and develop a lifelong love for swimming. Isn’t that amazing?
-r15x4l.jpg)
Managing a group of little swimmers can be pretty daunting for instructors. Parent’s presence in the pool can help maintain discipline and ensure a smooth learning environment. You can reinforce discipline in your child with your parenting style so that it will be easier for the instructors to focus on the lesson effectively.
As a parent, you can also help the kid to stay focused, making sure that he/she follows the instructions from the teacher. This results in a productive learning session.
When we ask the parents to be in the water and participate, it doesn’t mean that the child needs their help in swimming. Your kid will learn to swim independently through the class. However, when the parent is actively involved and works together with the swimming instructor, especially when they are dealing with very young kids, it can result in a more productive output. From ensuring safety and building confidence to maximising practice time and fostering a strong parent-child bond, the advantages are numerous and significant. So, together let us create a safer and more enjoyable experience for all our young swimmers.
At Aqua Artist, we believe in creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for all young swimmers. Join us in empowering your child's swimming journey today!
Happy swimming!