The importance of swimming over the winter months

The importance of swimming over the winter months

Just like learning to walk or read, swimming year-round gives our children the best chance of developing early water safety and swimming skills.

Learning to swim is an essential life skill for our children, as fundamental as eating, breathing, and sleeping. To introduce this vital skill, it is recommended that infants begin their exposure to pools around the age of six months. Children should ideally participate in swim lessons year-round to reap the full range of benefits.

While many parents choose to enrol their children in swim school only during the warmer summer months, it’s important to understand that the advantages of year-round swim lessons extend far beyond physical fitness. Swimming stands out as one of the finest exercises available, offering a multitude of benefits for both body and mind.

Engaging in swimming can significantly alleviate anxiety and depression, serving as a calming, meditative practice. Additionally, it stimulates brain activity, fostering the growth of new brain cells and nurturing overall child development. Despite these compelling benefits, some parents may hesitate to commit to swim lessons throughout the year due to several common concerns:

• Fear that swimming in winter may lead to illness

• Belief that their child already spends ample time in pools during the summer

• Overlapping commitments with other extracurricular activities

• Difficulties justifying the cost of year-round lessons

Winter Swimming Won’t Get You Sick 

This pervasive myth still influences many opinions about winter swimming. In reality, swimming during the cold months keeps children active when outdoor play is limited, contributing to their overall health and wellness. Active kids tend to maintain better immune systems, especially crucial for infants and younger children. Continuous exposure to water is vital for helping small children build confidence in their swimming abilities. Prolonged gaps between lessons may instill a fear of water, so parents should ensure their children are thoroughly dried and dressed in clean, warm clothing before leaving the pool.

Swimming Isn’t Just For Summer 

While it’s true that children enjoy themselves in pools during summer, this recreational activity can unfortunately lead to the development of poor swimming habits. Just because a child is playing in a pool doesn’t ensure they are honing their swimming skills. Similar to how parents prepare for a child's return to school after a long summer, maintaining swim lessons throughout the year helps children retain their confidence and enhances their growth as competent swimmers.

Keep A Consistent Schedule 

As with summers, Autumn and spring also bring a flurry of extracurricular activities, often overwhelming kids with commitments. They may feel tempted to drop swim lessons in favour of another sport or pursuit. However, it’s essential to encourage them to continue their swim education; it plays a significant role in their physical and mental development. Children thrive on routine, and by integrating swim lessons into their weekly schedule, they are more likely to flourish and become exceptional swimmers. Progressing from one skill level to another fosters a sense of achievement and motivation to “just keep swimming.”

Justifying The Cost   

When considering the myriad benefits of year-round swim lessons, it becomes easier to justify the investment. Not only do these lessons promote a physically active lifestyle, but they also support child development, bolster immune systems, reduce anxiety and depression, and cultivate confident swimming skills. Your child will undoubtedly experience these advantages—and much more—through consistent participation in swim lessons throughout the year.

For further information about Kapiti Learn to Swim, our diverse classes and programs, or any enquiries you may have, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.