Swim Lessons for All Ages BY JULIANNA STEEN
to interact with water, especially during the summer months. Sadly, the CDC reports that “drowning is the second leading cause of unin- tentional injury death for children ages 5–14.” Equipping your children with safety skills will give you both peace of mind while they’re playing in the pool. If you know they can swim well, you’ll also feel more comfortable to send them on pool playdates when you’re not available to watch over them. Teenagers Even if your teen has a basic grasp on how to stay afloat, becoming trained in lifeguarding, CPR, or water rescues can open doors to potential summer jobs or hobbies they may really enjoy.They can also use their swim skills to participate in competitive swimming opportu- nities.The water can be a place of immense insecurity, so working to improve skills can boost your teen’s
“Sink or swim,” the old adage goes. My family recently had dear friends who discovered their toddler after he had fallen in the pool when unsupervised.Thankfully, he was re- suscitated and survived, but it was a scary and uncertain few hours. Swim lessons can sometimes seem like something meant for “little kids,” but the truth is that you’re never too old to learn. Knowing how to swim is an essential skill that can save your life. According to CDC Drowning Prevention, “Every year in the United States there are over 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths.” People of all ages are dying every year—and many of these deaths are preventable if people would learn how to swim. Once you learn how to swim, you can then protect yourself and others. Here are just a few of the reasons why swim lessons are important for
every age group.
Infants & Toddlers (6 months–3 years )
The CDC statistics prove that “more children ages 1–4 die from drown- ing than any other cause of death.” Putting your baby in swim lessons is crucial because it teaches them basic survival skills like floating, turning over, and holding onto the wall in the pool. Plus, it reduces the fear of water early on, enabling them (and you) to feel a sense of comfort and familiarity when they are in the water. Young Children (4–12 years) Not only is swimming a good way to be active, it can also train your kids swimming techniques and coordination, building up their confidence and water indepen- dence. Swimming is not just a “fun” problem, it can be lethal, as almost all children are expected
18 MAY 2025 | CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM
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