Top 7 Reasons for Kids to Learn Swimming

if you haven't given it much thought, consider the top 7 reasons for kids to learn swimming. There is no better physical activity for children than swimming. Perhaps you have thought about your child learning to swim but just haven't made up your mind. There is any number of reasons why you may want your child to learn to swim. Most likely your reason falls into one of these categories.
Feeling Safe In or Near Water
Not everyone takes to water easily. Some are born with a fear of the water. Perhaps they have experienced an event which caused the fear. In either case, it is imperative that your child feels safe and comfortable when he or she is near or in water. Having the basic ability to swim will give them confidence. That confidence is necessary so that should they ever find themselves in the water, they will not panic. Panicking can lead to drowning. A child that has learned to swim will have the skills and confidence to stay calm
Sense of Accomplishment

Many children, like their adult counterparts, are goal oriented. They enjoy the accomplishment of "leveling up", to use the vernacular of the day. Swimming is taught in various stages from basic water survival skills to increasingly advanced strokes and techniques. The sense of accomplishment a child gets from mastering theses skills teaches him valuable lessons he can apply to other aspects of his life as well.
Health Benefits
Swimming is an excellent aerobic and strength training exercise. People who stay physically active have a better chance of remaining healthy. Daily activity can ward off many health problems associated with a more sedentary life such risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and many more. Teaching children, particularly at an early age to value daily activity makes it less of a chore and more fun. Swimming can definitely be included on the list of "fun" activities that can provide your child with health benefits now and well into their future.

 
Develop Natural Abilities
Some children naturally take to water. They are terrific swimmers almost from the moment they step into the pool. Even these children can benefit from swimming lessons. Whether they swim for personal pleasure or competitive reasons, the techniques they can learn will enhance their swimming experiences.
Weight Loss
Childhood obesity is a rising problem in the world we live in. The aerobic nature of swimming can help children lose weight without seeming like exercise. It is a low impact activity that reduces the strain on bones and joints while giving a complete workout. Letting your child learn to swim can be the first steps to reversing a weight problem that could lead to other health issues.
Social Skills and Team Building
While many places offer private swimming lessons, often children learn to swim in group settings. The interaction teaches social skills. Positive reinforcement and encouragement from staff to student carries over as students encourage one another. As the student progresses or moves to competitive swimming, these skills become team building skills.

 

Swimming certificate A of the Survival ABC

Swimming fully clothed:

 Jump into the pool fully clothed (swimwear, socks, vest, shorts, short-sleeved t-shirt and water shoes) and tread water for 15 seconds, swim 25 metres breaststroke and 25 metres backstroke.

Swimming in swim wear:

Swim below the surface for 3 metres, through an opening in a vertically suspended tarpaulin. Then swim 50 metres breaststroke and 50 metres backstroke, without holding onto the side of the pool.

A floating exercise (10 seconds) and float for 5 seconds on the stomach with submerged face.

A floating exercise (10 seconds) and float for10 seconds on the back

Start from the edge of the pool and swim a beginners crawl. Next, starting in the water, push off from the edge of the pool  and swim 10 metres using a beginners crawl.

Starting in the water, push off from the side of the pool and swim a beginners crawl for 10 metres, for two consecutive times.

Enter the water by jumping or diving and tread water for 1 minute, submerging once.
Swimming certificate B of the survival ABC

 Swimming  fully clothed

Jump into the water from an upright position fully clothed (swim wear, vest, trousers, long-sleeved t-shirt and trainers), turn around under water and then tread water for 30 seconds, swim a total of 100 metres, 50 metres breast stroke, dive underneath a raft, and swim 50 metres back stroke.

Swimming in swimwear

Enter the water by jumping or diving , swim under water for 6 metres, dive through an opening in a vertically suspended tarpaulin. Then swim 75 metres breast stroke, touch a buoy placed in deep water and then swim 75 metres back stroke.

Move a fellow student for 10 metres using a head hold.

Enter the water and swim for 10 metres using the front crawl stroke, then push off from the edge of the pool and swim an additional 10 metres using a front crawl.

Push one self off the edge of the pool and swim a back crawl for 10 metres twice.

Enter the water by jumping or diving and tread water for 1 minute, 30 seconds of which with arms akimbo.

 

Swimming certificate C of the survival ABC

Swimming fully clothed:

Fall into the water doing a forward roll fully clothed,(swim wear, socks, vest, trousers, long-sleeved t-shirt, raincoat and trainers). Tread water for 30 seconds, stay in the help position for 30 seconds, paddle backwards for 10 metres ( move forward on ones back only using ones hands), subsequently swim 15 metres back stroke and 25 metres breast stroke and dive underneath a raft once.

Enter the water by jumping or diving fully clothed except for a raincoat), swim under water for 6 metres, swim through an opening in a vertically suspended tarpaulin and then swim 50 metres, 25 of which using a breast stroke, climb over a raft once and swim 25 metres back stroke

Move a fellow pupil over 10 metres using a head hold whilst fully clothed.

Swimming in swimwear:

Jump into the water with a squat jump, dive for a ring placed in deep water and then swim 100 metres back stroke.

Enter the water from the edge of the pool and swim 20 metres front crawl.

Push oneself off the side of the pool and swim 20 metres back crawl.

Jump into the water with a squat jump, swim as far as possible with ones face submerged to the middle of the pool and then tread water for 1 minute, 30 seconds legs and arms and 30 seconds without using ones legs

Swimming Education in the Netherlands

Water is an integral part of the Dutch landscape. It is therefore imperative for children to learn to swim properly at an early age.  At some swimming schools, children may start at the age of four, whereas at others, only when they are five or six.  Some parents are not concerned at which age their child starts their swimming education, while others prefer their child to learn to swim as early as possible. Swimming Education Netherlands (ZwemOnderwijsNederland (ZON)) advise pupils to begin when they are four years and six months.   On average children of this age have attended a primary school for a period of six months and are familiar with the concept of being educated in a group. They are also aware that lessons are taught by a teacher, they take physical education classes and are able to cycle etc.  This provides a  solid basis for starting to learn how to swim. However, due to long waiting lists it is not always possible to start learning at this age. In The Netherlands, children can learn how to swim under the supervision of various  bodies.  For example, via ZON or the National Swimming diploma Committee (Nationale Raad Zwemdiploma’s). All swimming instructors in Holland are required to have recognised professional certificates.  All managers must be in possession of a swimming instructor-certificate recognised by the ministry of Health and Education. One of the most common questions from parents  is: will my child receive an official certificate?  No organisation has an exclusive  right to issue swimming certificates.  Every swimming organisation in Holland that has recognised, professional swimming instructors is entitled to issue swimming certificates. Swimming certificates issued by ZON are completely recognised. It is, therefore, entirely up to parents to decide which certificate they consider best for their child. ZON sets the highest standards for the quality of the swimming skills of their  pupils and puts emphasis on the discipline of swimming fully clothed. After all, if a child were to fall into a ditch it is more likely to do so fully clothed than  in swim wear.  Furthermore, children are taught how to help their friends (theme: help your friend).  Swimming instructors of affiliated  organisations meet at exams, appraisals and exchange information in order to maintain and warrant the quality of swimming education in the Netherlands. ZON has put together a program comprising 3 phases, which at certain swimming pools start at the deep end of the pool. Phase A: Acquisition of swim strokes Phase B:  Basic swimming skills Phase C:  Complete program A child is only truly swimming safe when all phases have been completed successfully.