Why do Dutch children have to wear regular clothes when learning to swim?

Unlike many countries in the world, the Netherlands has very strict requirements for teaching and learning swimming to children.

Teaching and learning to swim in the Netherlands is important and parents invest in their children from an early age - Photo: NL

The Netherlands is a country where one-third of its land lies below sea level, with the lowest point being an average of 6.7m below sea level. The country is also surrounded by canals and waterways, creating an environment that can be dangerous for anyone who accidentally falls into the water.

Swimming certificate - indispensable document

The special living conditions have forced the Netherlands to have special solutions to reduce drowning accidents. Therefore, swimming lessons for Dutch children start from around 4 - 5 years old.

The government used to make swimming a compulsory subject in schools. However, financial constraints forced them to scrap the program.

This has forced Dutch parents to turn to private swimming lessons. Some schools have also chosen to maintain this by offering additional classes as a supplementary subject. Although the cost can be several thousand euros, swimming lessons are always crowded due to high demand.

The Dutch government, although abolishing the compulsory swimming program, still retains swimming certificates - one of the almost mandatory documents. That is because without a certificate, people will be restricted from indoor and outdoor water activities such as swimming, boating, etc.

Swimming certificate is an indispensable document in the Netherlands and is completed very early - Photo: NL

Even when going to swimming pools, children or adults who can swim well must wear life jackets if they cannot provide the required documents.

These certificates are divided into three increasing levels: A, B and C. Level A trains basic skills such as floating, diving, and swimming about 50m in both shallow and deep water.

Level B extends skills such as swimming further, backstroke, handling situations, and perfecting skills.

Level C is the highest level, training in handling realistic simulation situations, practicing reflexes to save yourself in case of an accident. Most Dutch children have at least an A certificate before the age of 8.

Wear casual clothes when learning to swim

Learning to swim in casual clothes is almost mandatory in the Netherlands to reduce drowning accidents - Photo: SPRENKELAAR

Many places in the world are familiar with swimming classes where students wear swimsuits. However, in the Netherlands, this is very different. From a young age, children are required to wear casual clothes when they go into the pool (long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes, etc.).

This is not a strange tradition, there is a reason for it. As mentioned, the Netherlands has a dense network of rivers, canals and beaches. Therefore, accidents when accidentally falling into the water are very likely to happen. In such circumstances, normal swimming skills in a pool, in still water will be very difficult to apply.

The clothes that children wore at that time were definitely not swimsuits, but everyday clothes. Even in winter, the clothes were thicker, longer, and much more cumbersome if accidentally dropped into the water.

Therefore, learning to swim in everyday clothes is very important to practice reflexes in uncomfortable body conditions. In swimming classes, children are thoroughly taught the skills to escape from dangerous water areas and call for help.

In the Netherlands, learning to swim is as basic as jogging every day. Many people even believe that children must learn to swim before they can play other sports .

The Dutch method of teaching swimming in everyday clothes has also been adopted by many countries in Europe and America and is becoming more and more popular.

DUC KHUE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-tre-em-ha-lan-phai-mac-ao-quan-ngay-thuong-khi-tap-boi-20250518085529423.htm