The Importance of Teaching your Child to Swim

One question I try to ask my patients over the age of three is, “Are you learning how to swim?” I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for children to be comfortable in the water. Swim lessons introduce your child to an enjoyable kind of exercise, but more importantly, if a child doesn’t know how to swim, drowning is a big worry. Even if you don’t live near a body of water or a pool, your child may find himself near one and should know how to keep himself afloat.

Some parents decide to give their babies extra-early training by enrolling them in “water babies,” programs where parents and their kids go in the pool together. Parents often ask me if these programs cause ear infections or are harmful in any other way. Children do not get middle ear infections from swimming, though they can get colds, which can lead to ear infections, from being around other children during swim classes. Swimmer’s ear, which is an infection of the canal leading to the middle ear, can be caused by swimming, but babies don’t usually get swimmer’s ear. While, obviously, infants are not going to learn how to swim in these programs, I think getting them introduced to the water at a young age is a good idea. Good experiences laughing and playing with their mothers and fathers in the water can take away unwarranted fear of the water. (That said, you also have to teach children a healthy respect of water and its dangers.)

I think children should begin swim lessons as soon as they are old enough to qualify. The urgency is more acute if you live near a body of water or a pool, but you never know when your child might be invited to someone’s house who has a pool. YMCAs usually offer good swim classes for children. Another option is a private gym near you. Even if you don’t belong to one, you might be able to sign up for classes there. Or you could also hire a knowledgeable swim instructor for private lessons.

Babies can drown in any body of water—the toilet, bathtub, or even a large puddle. Constant vigilance is the only remedy to prevent drowning at this age. When your child is in the bath, never leave the bathroom for even a second. While that may seem obvious, each year children drown because a parent has left the bath to answer a phone call or the doorbell.

Without meaning to, some parents who are afraid of water or are uncomfortable around water may convey their insecurities to their child. This adds another barrier for the child to overcome. It might be a good idea to take swim lessons with your child if you never learned to swim safely. After all, you never know when you might end up on a boat, ferry, or flood situation where swim skills are essential for life.

Family Health Guide
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