children learning through energetic highs and lows

« Back to Home

5 Ways Swimming Lessons Can Boost Your Child's Development

Posted on

Year-round swimming lessons seem like a major commitment. You've considered once a week (or more) classes that continue through all four seasons, but aren't completely sold just yet. Maybe you remember swimming as a summertime only hobby or think of it as a vacation 'treat'. Why not just sign your little swimmer up for lessons from June through August? Check out the reasons why year-round swim lessons are becoming an increasingly popular trend and how they can benefit your child's development!

Strength and muscle tone. Swimming is exercise! Like any other physical activity, it helps your child's physical development – building strength and increasing muscle tone. The more time your child spends in the pool, the more exercise he's getting. What does that mean when it comes to his body? That he's getting the consistent exercise necessary to grow stronger and more agile.

Visual motor skill development. Writing, drawing and cutting are all skills that your child needs to do. While it might seem like an art class is the way to go when you want to help your child to develop these abilities, it's not the only answer. A study from Australia's Griffith University on early-years swimming shows that consistent lessons help young children to develop these must-have skills.

Math and reading. Swimming is certainly a physical activity. But your child's motor skills aren't the only area of development that year-round swim lessons can help. Griffith's Early-Years Swimming Research Project also showed that children who participate consistently in swimming lessons score higher in 'academic' areas such as literacy, mathematical reasoning and numeracy.

Balance and coordination. A study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) shows that early swimming lessons (the study followed baby swimmers) helps to build better balance. When the children who swam consistently as infants were tested on motor functions at age 5, researchers found that they were better able to balance on one foot, skip rope and walk on their tiptoes than children who did not take lessons.

Overall physical health. Regular physical activity does wonders for your child's overall physical health. Consistent exercise (such as swimming) offers a variety of benefits. These include the development of stronger bones and joints, decreased body fat and improved flexibility, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Not only do swim lessons provide your child with developmental benefits galore, but they can also improve self-confidence, reduce stress and increase energy. Beyond the physical and mental advantages, these classes also offer your child a chance to get social, meet new friends and (depending on the league) work as part of a team! To sign your children up for swim lessons, contact a company like YMCA of Greater Cincinnati.


Share