From a very young age, my parents told me, “You just need to learn to swim. As soon as you can do that, you can stop. But not before.” The same advice was given to my two younger brothers.
Interestingly, it's actually a great idea to tell this to your kids. It worked for us, at least. All three of us not only learned to swim, but also gained more skills. I'm really grateful for that today. Now we can go to the beach, the swimming pool, or any pool without major concerns. Our parents don't need to constantly keep an eye on us, although it's still a good idea. Simultaneously, it's nice for us, as we don't have to be cautious everywhere we go. There's more peace of mind. I'm sure your kid will experience the same. One can't predict if your kid might become so passionate and skilled at swimming that they continue for many years to come.
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Kids cannot learn to swim on their own; they need training
It is incredibly dangerous to venture into open water along the coasts, especially for small kids. Large waves, strong currents, and cold water are not good combinations for a young one. The kid can easily be swept away to deeper waters where they cannot touch the bottom. Even if they are just sitting at the water's edge, the kid is likely to find something more interesting a bit further into the water and may venture into deeper waters, making it very dangerous. If the kid has not learned to swim beforehand, the chances of drowning are extremely high. They can quickly go underwater and struggle to resurface. If you, as an adult, are not very attentive, the kid can suddenly disappear. No one wants to experience that. It's a horrifying thought.
So, to prevent this from happening to you and your kid, I would personally recommend that your kid starts swimming lessons as soon as possible.
It also reassures you as an adult if your kid can swim
If the kid has learned to swim and is comfortable around water, it is not just enjoyable for the kid but also for you as an adult. It reassures you that you don't always have to be on high alert when your kid is sitting by the water. You can do other things like sunbathing, reading a book, or listening to music without major worries. Your kid can swim without any problems, and that's wonderful. You can let the kid run around as you please without always having to be there to watch. This applies not only to the beach, but anywhere you are in contact with water. It's a fact that water can be dangerous in many ways, but the chances of something happening are much smaller if your kid can swim. Your kid can even teach you to swim if needed ;-)
Another significant advantage of your kid being able to swim is when (it will happen) your kid goes to the swimming pool with friends, and you probably can't join. If your kid is the only one who can't swim and has to wear arm floaties and a belt, it's not great for you as an adult. Will they remember to put on the gear? Is anything going to happen? You avoid these worries if your kid has simply learned to swim. Smart for both parties.
There's nothing cooler than being able to swim as a kid
As a kid, it's just fantastic to be able to swim. You don't have to be particularly good, but just being able to stay afloat for a longer time is an absolute liberation. I can remember the first time I experienced being able to swim alone. What an amazing feeling. Being able to jump from the diving boards into the four-metre deep pool without parents in the water. Going to the beach with friends without worries from home. Being able to swim without a belt and floaties is perhaps the best of it all. So liberating. It's such a great victory to be able to swim. It boosts your confidence to ten thousand. “Look, Mom, look, Mom, I can swim all the way there!” “Dad, watch me jump from the 3-metre diving board.”
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Swimming can also become your kid's lifestyle for many years to come
Even though the initial goal for your kid to take up swimming is to learn how to swim, there's still a fairly good chance that it can become more than that. That's what happened to me and my younger brother. Today, we swim many times a week, and it's not just to learn how to swim. It's to compete. And it's awesome. Nothing less. And it can happen for your kid too.
It might take a year or two to learn how to swim, but in that time, you can quickly approach the competitive teams, and it often becomes really fun. You find some good swim buddies, taste the competition, and feel that you're developing in terms of swimming. Then there's no far to a lifelong career as a competitive swimmer. If the kid wants to, of course. And there are many advantages to being a competitive swimmer, just as there are, of course, some minor disadvantages (according to my mom). You make friends for life because you spend so much time together, you learn a lot about yourself, you get exercise instead of sitting in front of the computer at home, and it's just awesome to swim competitively. On the other hand, it's something that costs quite a bit of money, and a lot of time needs to be invested, not just from the swimmer but the entire family. And it's a sacrifice you have to be willing to make.
So, there are many reasons why your kid should know how to swim. Take action right now and enrol in the nearest club. It's good for both you as a parent and, certainly, for your kid.