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 |
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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.
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