Is Teaching Your Child To Swim Important?
Hello, hello! Melissa from CloudMom here! So it’s summer and most of us are swimming a lot, or at least more than we do during the winter. My husband and I love swimming with our kids and have been doing so since our oldest, Hedley, was seven months old. Today’s vlog tackles the issue of swimming and asks the general question: should your children learn how to swim, and at what age?
What do you Moms think about this?
I came across a really interesting debate on BabyCenter about swimming. Some moms were actually saying learning to swim is a developmental milestone like crawling or walking. To others, it’s not so crucial. I’m not looking to raise the next Michael Phelps or Mark Spitz (remember him or are you too young?), but I am a fan of swimming. Read below and watch to see why!
Teaching Your Child to Swim
Most importantly, I believe teaching your kids to swim is essential because it could save his or her life. Childhood drowning is all too common and could be prevented if your kiddo learns water safety at an early age. Second, not only is swimming a vital skill, it is one of the most fun family activities and a great way to exercise! And here’s a sort of selfish benefit for all you busy Moms out there: knowing that your children are able to swim by themselves in the pool or at the beach gives you (Mommy!) some much-needed time to put your feet up, sit back, and relax in your comfy lounge chair! Ahhhhh. Watch my vlog for more on why I think teaching your child to swim is important!
Comments
klrogers
Hi Melissa,
I agree with you COMPLETELY! My girls are 5 and 9 now. They’ve been in pools since they were babies. Except for a few simple swim lessons at the Y, they haven’t had any special intense swimming lessons. They just love the water and have had constant exposure during the summer.
Up until last year, I was always in the pool with them. Now that my youngest is 5 and can keep her head above water in the shallow end, I am enjoying #4 and #5 of your points about swimming! It’s wonderful! We have a pass at the local cabana club this year and I take the girls for a few hours about 4 days a week. I get to lounge and gab with other mommies and my kids are making friends.
I don’t think swimming has to be a developmental milestone for young children, but believe it is crucial that they can swim and understand water safety by 5 – 6 years.
Recently I found out that one of the girls in my daughters girl scout troop doesn’t swim at all. She’s 8 years old and afraid of water. I found that so sad. It leaves her standing in the sidelines during many social events during the hot months!
klrogers
Hi Melissa,
I agree with you COMPLETELY! My girls are 5 and 9 now. They’ve been in pools since they were babies. Except for a few simple swim lessons at the Y, they haven’t had any special intense swimming lessons. They just love the water and have had constant exposure during the summer.
Up until last year, I was always in the pool with them. Now that my youngest is 5 and can keep her head above water in the shallow end, I am enjoying #3 and #4 of your points about swimming! It’s wonderful! We have a pass at the local cabana club this year and I take the girls for a few hours about 4 days a week. I get to lounge and gab with other mommies and my kids are making friends.
I don’t think swimming has to be a developmental milestone for young children, but believe it is crucial that they can swim and understand water safety by 5 – 6 years.
Recently I found out that one of the girls in my daughters girl scout troop doesn’t swim at all. She’s 8 years old and afraid of water. I found that so sad. It leaves her standing in the sidelines during many social events during the hot months!
Melissa-CloudMom
I am so glad you are getting some social time yourself! Thanks so much for watching and commenting, it means a lot to me!
xo, Melissa
Prentice
I’ve had my daughter in swim lessons at the local Y since she was 7 months old — she’s 2+ years now. We have loved the time together, but most important, I needed her to know how to swim because my in-laws have a pool. I wanted to be comfortable when she was at their home that she could handle the water if something happened. We just purchased a new home with a pool and I’m so happy that she is all set to go. I’m not sure what to do when we have her friends over who do not know how to swim. Can’t wait fo the day when I can hang in the lounge chair…
Melissa-CloudMom
Can’t believe she is already swimming at 2 – hats off to you! After this Vlog, I just signed up my 3 yr old for swim lessons in August. But just like you – no lounge chair yet for me for a while!