Why Swimming is Good for Kids

As the weather turns more temperamental with cooler evenings and less sunshine, kids can spend less and less time outdoors.  But the need for exercise remains strong and one of the best ways to get this exercise and have great fun at the same time is in the swimming pool.  We all hear that swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for both kids and adults – but why?

Swimming benefits

According to Livestrong, swimming offers health benefits for all ages.  Primarily this is because it involves cardiovascular activity that strengthens both the heart and the lungs.  It also increases strength in the body, building muscle tone and endurance.  Swimming can lead to greater flexibility in the body and a better sense of balance, due to the actual motion of swimming.  While all these may sound more important to adults than to kids, it is important to start early to help stave off problems such as obesity and diabetes.

As well as the physical benefits of swimming, it is also a crucial life skill.  According to the CDC in the US, one out of every five people that die from drowning are under the age of 14.  By learning kids to swim from a young age, there is a far lower risk that they will be one of these kids.  It doesn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t run into trouble and should always be supervised in water no matter how proficient but does supply them with skills that may save their life.

If your kids enjoy swimming, then entering them into lessons and even swimming competitions or teams is a possible outcome.  Kids who take part in competitions learn about sportsmanship, team work and build their self-esteem.

Even mental health can be aided by time in the swimming pool.  The activity itself improves mood and decreases anxiety, an ever growing problem for modern children.  Swimming together with siblings and parents is a great way to spend time while getting exercise too.

The reluctant swimmer

Some kids take up swimming as if they were born in water but others aren’t so keen.  This is often the case when kids don’t get introduced to the swimming pool until they are of school age or older.  Lessons are a great way to encourage kids but even taking them to a quiet session in the pool to help them overcome their anxiety is a good starting point. 

Make the visit to the pool a big, fun event – get them their own personalised swimming bag and a new swimming costume, arrange to go for a pizza afterwards.  When you arrive at the pool, let them go into the water at their own pace and stay close so they don’t feel panicked.  Most pools have a shallow end or a learning pool that are ideal to try out the water and watch out for wave machines – those sudden waves can frighten the kids.  Alternatively, find a beginners swimming class and let a professional take on teaching them as they will have proven methods to help overcome their caution.