Swimming is more than splashing with your friends on a hot summer day. Children can reap many rewards from taking swimming lessons year-round.
But don’t just take just our word on it. We went to the experts themselves at Aqua-Tots to see the overall benefits of swimming all year-round.
So, let’s jump in!
Many of us know the importance of swimming year-round; however, there are also many who do not. Give us your insight on:
The Development Benefits
Swimming involves a lot of visible physical components, but in addition to that it also involves a great deal of cognitive focus. For example, when swimming freestyle, you must coordinate your arms and legs to move simultaneously. When our students enter Level 10, we start to teach them breath control and “side breathing” which is an incremental area of focus layered onto the movement of limbs. Its multitasking at its finest!
The Physical Benefits
Swimming is great exercise for all ages. In fact, it uses multiple muscles in the body at the same time. It also helps to build strong muscles and endurance; skills which are transferable to other sports. Unlike other sports though, learning to swim year-round is a life skill that will help children stay safe in and around water over a lifetime!
Overall Benefits
In addition to moving your muscles, swimming, also gives your brain a workout with all of the multitasking you do with your body which in turn serves as a total mood booster. Achieving new skills, overcoming anxieties, and becoming independent in the water are all major confidence boosters! It also helps children stay active year-round, and supports key social developments for kiddos like listening, taking turns, verbal communication…all taking place in an environment where positive friendships can grow!
Swimming is a life skill that should be practiced all year long. It is one of the best skills to equip your child with this summer.
What tips can you give parents who may feel overwhelmed in adding an extracurricular activity during the school year?
Swimming is an individual sport, which allows children to progress at their own pace and provides a stress-free environment. Here at Aqua-Tots, there is no pressure to commit to specific days, as you might with other team sports. If outside commitments arise, Aqua-Tots has a flexible make-up policy to accommodate busy schedules, vacation time, and other extracurricular events.
Unlike other sports, swimming is a lifelong safety skill and therefore, it is critical for all individuals to feel confident and independent in the water. You never know when you might find yourself in or around water – even throughout winter (e.g. public pools, ice and open water during vacations). Finding a way to incorporate swimming into your schedule will not only help your child with the developmental and physical benefits of swimming, it will also give you piece of mind knowing your child will be that much safer when exposed to water.
Is there a specific time that works best for families when they have children in school? From your experience is there a time of the day that works best such as right after school or later in the day?
We know life with kids get busy, which is why being open weekdays and weekends allows families to have the flexibility to take swim lessons the day(s) that best suit individual family needs. Weekday morning lessons are ideal for new Moms with babies or toddlers because the serene and warm environment lends itself sets (remove sets) to bonding with little ones as well as connecting with other Moms.
Some caregivers find it’s a great activity for school age-children to do during the weekday evenings so they can go home and have a nice, restful sleep! Other families are just too busy during the weekdays and prefer to come in for lessons on either Saturday or Sunday. Regardless of your child’s age or swimming ability, our schedule is designed to offer all eight levels many times throughout the week, to ensure we are able to run classes for a four-month-old and a 12-year-old on the same day.
Aside from the swimming benefits aspect, can you tell us a bit about the community benefits? Tell us about the importance of creating a supportive community through your school.
We are all about family and community at Aqua-Tots. We pride ourselves in greeting your family every time you walk in the door. We also love getting involved in different community groups. You’ll always see us at different festivals and events in the Greater Toronto Area, such as Children’s Festivals and the annual Santa Claus Parade.
We also have several special events which we host free of charge for all members to celebrate milestones throughout the year. The Easter Bunny and Santa make an annual guest appearance at our schools…and the smiles on the kids faces are a priceless reward!
Lastly, registering your children in swimming lessons fosters positive, supportive relationships. We love seeing friendships form within our classes. A lot of parents become friends through their children’s lessons which is so fun to see. Stop on by, and be prepared to make some awesome new friends.
Anything else you would like to add to our amazing readers?
If you love your experience at Aqua-Tots you can always benefit from spreading the word! Refer a friend to our weekday morning classes and receive a $25 referral credit when your friends or family members sign up!
There you have it! ‘Tis always the swim season! Children can benefit greatly from year-round swim lessons from a safety and development standpoint. Incorporating swim lessons into your routine is an invaluable asset to your child’s mental and physical well-being.
Build, refine and stay sharp all year-round with Aqua-Tots. Make sure to check them out at the Mississauga or Burlington locations to get started.
Until next time…Just keep swimming! 😉
-Momma Braga
This article is a paid partnership with Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. Views and opinions expressed here belong to Momma Braga.
