When you take a moment to do some digging, you can find research papers that discuss when is a good time to start swim lessons. The United States Swim School Association strongly believes that babies, toddlers and children of all ages should participate in swim lessons in a high quality aquatics program. A child of any age will never be completely “drownproof” or “watersafe,” however we can teach our children and families to be safer around the water. Keep in mind that the foundation to stroke instruction ie. learning to swim starts with instruction around water competency.
Below we share links to important research studies that show starting children early can increase their water competency and skills. And with more children ages 1-4 dying from drowning than any other cause of death, swimming is an important lifesaving skill to have.
FROM SWIMMING SKILL TO WATER COMPETENCE
To describe and provide research evidence regarding what physical, cognitive, & affective competencies contribute to a person’s water competence & reduce the risk of drowning.
AQUATIC COMPETENCIES AND DROWNING PREVENTION IN CHILDREN 2–4 YEARS
“The younger the age at which children started lessons, the earlier the child was able to attain aquatic competencies within their developmental capabilities.”
A NON-RANDOMIZED PILOT STUDY ON THE BENEFITS OF BABY SWIMMING ON MOTOR DEVELOPMENT WHAT AGE TO START LESSONS
“This pilot study showed, for the first time, a potential link between infant motor development and neonatal aquaticity.”
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SWIMMING LESSONS AND DROWNING IN CHILDHOOD
“Participation in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning in the 1- to 4-year-old children”
CDC DROWNING FACTS
“In the United States: More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.”
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
“Recent studies suggest that water survival skills training and swim lessons can help reduce drowning risk for children between ages 1-4. Classes that include both parents and their children also are a good way to introduce good water safety habits and start building swim readiness skills. If your child seems ready, it’s a good idea to start lessons now.”
USSSA STANCE ON SWIM LESSONS FOR BABIES, TODDLERS, AND CHILDREN
The United States Swim School Association strongly believes that babies, toddlers and children of all ages should participate in swim lessons in a high quality aquatics program.
The Wendy Fereday Swim School recently shared with us a letter they received from swim mom Erin. “We took the boys to our pool in the neighborhood for a quick swim yesterday evening to get out some bedtime energy. Decker and Jax were playing with an inflatable water polo goal they recently got. Ames, age 3, went to check it out and I had my eyes on him the whole time from where I was sitting. He leaned over at the edge of the pool and reached too far in the water and fell in head first in the pool. I instantly got up from my chair and ran to help him (I was close enough where I knew I could get to him if I needed to) but I stopped at the edge of the pool because I could see him do the “turn around and save yourself” routine. He was kicking his legs and reaching to the edge of the pool just like you’ve taught him since he was tiny! After he grabbed the edge of the pool, he started to pull himself out of the pool and he was crying. I hugged him and told him “Ames, you did it. You turned around and saved yourself!” He kept crying and saying “I fell in the pool” and I just kept saying over and over again “you turned around and saved yourself” and gave him lots of big hugs. Then the boys came over and told him good job for saving himself and he got so proud of himself.”