A strong swimming foundation is a strong foundation for physical activity. Swim lessons build character, develop unique motor-skills, and prep your child for a wonderful future in the water. They are also a great outlet for your child’s energy! Who knows? Your little one may be the next Michael Phelps or Missy Franklin. 

 

Get the inside scoop from Asphalt Green’s Head Swim School Principal Andrew Bryan on the benefits of learning to swim at a young age. 

 

  1. Swimming is an essential life skill. Everybody should learn how to swim. Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children ages 1 to 14. A 2009 study found kids ages 1 to 4 who had taken swimming lessons showed a reduced risk of drowning by 88 percent.
     
  2. Participating in swim lessons at a young age can prevent or overcome fear of the water. The first developmental component of swimming is comfort. Classes focus on instilling comfort and confidence in swimmers. An instructor will focus on small successes like proper body position and breath control to make the water a place of fun and enjoyment.  
     
  3. Young swimmers can progress at their own pace. Some swimmers develop more quickly than others. And that’s OK. There are a variety of options for children of different levels. A class with a parent or guardian in the pool is the best starting point, and as a swimmer becomes more comfortable, he or she will progress to a level that will focus on more advanced technique.
     
  4. Swimming makes children smarter. Haven’t you heard? Swimming is the new brain food. A study from the Griffith Institute of Educational Research in Australia found children who learned to swim at a young age have more advanced physical and cognitive abilities. Research revealed 3-to 5-year-olds who took swimming lessons scored higher in mathematics, reading, oral expression, story recall, visual motor skills (cutting paper and drawing shapes and lines), and understanding directions. In some instances, children who participated in swim lessons were 20 months ahead of those who had not participated in swim lessons.

 

Ready to sign your little one up for swim lessons? Classes for kids start at 4 months old. Browse all of our youth swim offerings here.