Families should let children learn to swim when they are 12 months old, should learn water survival skills before learning swimming techniques.
Swimming can support the overall development of children, and help cool down in the summer. Many families bring babies under 6 months old to the pool with the desire to help them learn to swim as soon as possible. This approach is controversial due to the lack of scientific evidence. Besides, children can not regulate their body temperature as well as adults, can get infections if bathing in public swimming pools.
According to experts, children can learn to swim from the age of 12 months with a professional instructor. Children need to be able to swim in a separate pool with warm water of about 32 degrees Celsius. Families also need to consider factors such as emotional and physical control, developmental ability and familiarity with water before giving children swimming lessons.
Ideally, families start by using the kid's pool or taking them to the shallowest pool area. The family interacts with the baby with games such as blowing bubbles, splashing water to make the child feel more comfortable, can use floats or inflatables to support.
Children familiarize themselves with the water with the help of a swimming buoy. Image: Unplash
If a child is worried, use a calm, soothing tone of voice to reassure the child, helping him to feel more secure and relaxed. Finally, you will need to practice basic swimming techniques, for example, moving your arms, kicking your feet, when you are confident and proficient, gradually reduce the support buoy. Families do not allow children to learn to dive or drown babies when swimming, because children are not ready to hold their breath underwater.
Parents should take their children to swim early in the morning in case they need to use the public swimming pool. The reason is that the sound of splashing water and sounds from the crowd can make children panic, making it difficult to learn to swim. Besides, families also need to focus on spending time teaching their children. Sunlight in the early morning is less intense, reducing skin damage. When the child feels uncomfortable, the family should stop immediately, do not force the child to learn to swim; If the child is afraid of water, the family should wait 1 month and then try again.
If signing up for children's swimming classes, families should prioritize finding an instructor that not only teaches swimming techniques but also focuses on water survival skills. Parents should avoid taking their children to disinfected swimming pools with large amounts of chlorine, which can increase lower respiratory infections and allergies.
Chile (Follow Momjunction, Parents)
