Pediatrics advise that children should begin 1 year old swimming lessons
New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics advise that children should begin 1 year old swimming lessons.
In the U.S., drowning is the top cause of injury-related death among youngsters between 1 and 4 years old. Even at such a young age, children can begin learning the building blocks of swimming. It is recommended to hire a certified instructor, though, for very young children, the parent should go in the water as well. Note also that swimming aids, such as water wings, are believed to provide a false sense of security.
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| 1 Year Old Swimming |
Key Takeaways:
- According to new AAP water safety guidelines, children should begin swim lessons at age 1.
- According to the USA Swimming Foundation, formal swim lessons can decrease the risk of drowning by about 88 percent.
- Teach young children to kick, blow bubbles, and float on their backs.
"Though Joseph and her husband, Bryon Thornburgh, now call landlocked Denver home, both their daughter, Sierra, 6, and 4-year-old son, Declan, were enrolled in swimming lessons before they were out of diapers. "Swimming is an essential life skill," Joseph says."
