TOP 7 BENEFITS OF YEAR-ROUND SWIM LESSONS FOR KIDS

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How Swimming Helps Your Child In & Out of the Pool

  • As you may know, there is a mental health crisis among our nation’s youth. Colorado is in a state of emergency, according to our good friends at Children’s Hospital Colorado. As the winter months approach, depression and anxiety symptoms often worsen. Children's Colorado has seen a 90% increase in demand for behavioral health treatment in the past 2 years. Swimming increases endorphins, which boosts mood, lowering depression and anxiety. Research shows that physical activity, like swimming, reduces stress. The breathing patterns practiced in swimming mimic the repetitive breathing taught in meditation, proved to be calming. Set up swimming lessons a few times each week after school, and you might just notice a difference in your child’s ability to relax in the evenings.

  • Children who swim regularly at young ages consistently reach many developmental milestones earlier than their peers who do not participate in swim programs, according to The Griffith Institute for Educational Research.

    Did you know…swimming increases blood flow through the entire body, which can have positive effects on the brain. More blood flow can increase the size of the hippocampus, the area of the brain that affects memory. Children test higher, have improved problem-solving abilities, and higher IQs who participate in swim lessons. When compared to non-swimmers, some of the benefits of young swimmers are:

    -better balance, movement, and grasping techniques

    -more advanced cognitive and physical development

    -increased overall efficiency in the brain process

  • Retention is the goal in everything we teach our children, and consistency is key. Keeping your child enrolled in year-round swim lessons helps them to retain the skills they have learned, and prevents seasonal regression. Our school teachers encourage reading, writing, and math over the summer to “remember,” and our young swimmers need consistent practice to progress to safe and confident swim skills.

    Continued lessons year-round will save you money in the long run as well. Children easily develop new anxieties and fears around water when they haven’t been exposed to the pool for 9 months of the year, as most kids in Colorado do not have access to water outside of the summer months. We spend the first few lessons for our seasonal swimmers rebuilding trust, and re-learning skills they may have forgotten or lost in their time “off.”

  • Nearly 50% of children do not get enough sleep, which can lead to serious health and wellness problems. A lack of sleep has been linked to heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health problems, and the inability to fight off germs and infections. Have you noticed how tired you may feel after swimming? You children feel the same way! Their entire body, all their muscles, their heart, lungs, and brain are all working while they are in the pool. After using up so much energy, they will be nice and sleepy. Swimming all year long helps children feel sleepier at bedtime, helps with naps, and also ensures more solid nights of uninterrupted sleep.

  • It is common that we become a little lazy in the winter. It’s cold outside, and children often spend more time watching TV, playing video games, or on their screens/devices. Swimming is an aerobic activity that images the entire body. It is also low-impact, meaning that swimming is gentle on the joints. Water supports a growing child’s body, so they have less strain on developing joints, and much lower risk of injury than other sports. Children with injuries or other different abilities often are able to participate in swimming all year long because the water provides both resistance and support.

    Swimming year-round also helps children stay fit and strengthens the heart and lungs. And, since swimming burns so many calories (500-700 calories/hour), it helps children maintain healthy weight.

  • Research shows that constant exposure to water helps children become more confident, both in and out of the pool. Swim lessons promote achievement, and learning confidence in the water prevents fears from developing. Other skills developed include:

    -coordination

    -cognition

    -endurance

    -character

    -perseverance

    -resilience

    -hard work

  • Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of 4 years old, and the 2nd leading cause of death in children under the age of 14! Taking lessons year-round is one the best actions you can take to ensure your child is sharp on their skills, safe, and will develop into a strong and confident swimmer. Children who learn to swim at a young age not only learn to be safe around water, but they reduce their risk of drowning by as much as 88%! It is all-around safety for our children and peace of mind for parents and caregivers.