New AAP Guidelines Recommend Swim Lessons for Infants & Toddlers

For the past several years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that children start swimming lessons when they reach the age of 4. Depending on who you ask, it was thought that children who are 4 and older had both the mental and physical ability to follow directions and learn how to swim while younger children did not.

Texas Swim Academy is thrilled to share that the AAP has changed their stance and these guidelines have recently changed. A mounting pile of documented proof has stacked up showing that children as young as six months of age can be taught lifesaving water survival skills.

What Has Changed?

Sadly, drowning remains the leading cause of injury-related deaths for children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old. This is partly because of lack of supervision and the fact that younger children are naturally drawn to pools, ponds, and other bodies of water without fully understanding their dangers.

This statistic hasn’t changed over the years, which has spurred a number of infant survival swim courses to be developed by leading professionals. Many experts were wary about the efficacy of these types of classes at first. But the growth in demand for these classes as parents witnessed babies who weren’t even able to walk roll from their front to their backs and paddle to safety has changed many minds in the medical community.

Earlier this year the American Academy of Pediatrics officially changed their stance on when children should be introduced to water safety skills. These new recommendations suggest that children should begin swim lessons starting around the age of one as this can significantly reduce drowning rates in young children.

Infant Swim Lessons About “Water Competency”

When many hear the words “swim lessons” they think about learning strokes and swimming laps. Infant swim lessons are different in intention. The goal of an infant swim class is to equip children with the skills necessary to safely exit a body of water should they find themselves unexpectedly in a pool or a pond or be able to float independently in order to breathe until rescued.

Our classes at Texas Swim Academy also encourage children to feel confident in the water and how to have fun without endangering themselves and others.

Your child’s instructor will begin by calmly introducing your youngster to the water so that they feel comfortable at his or her own pace. The instructor will continually build your child’s trust and work with your child to teach him or her crucial lifesaving swim skills appropriate for his or her age and development.

Our priority at Texas Swim Academy has always been to protect the lives of children. For more information on our Infant Survival Swim program, we invite you to give us a call at (832) 437-6186.

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is the best swim school near me offering result-oriented swimming lessons in Katy that cater to all ages and abilities. Our well-trained and experienced swimming instructors provide a variety of programs for infants through adulthood. For the little ones, we offer swimming lessons for babies and swimming lessons for toddlers focused on survival swimming skills to build a strong water safety foundation and foster water confidence at a young age. Once your child knows how to swim, our swim lessons for children will help refine techniques and build endurance, as the consistent practice of their swimming skills is an imperative part of becoming a strong swimmer. 

Our adaptive aquatics program is designed for children of all ages and abilities to ensure every child, including children on the autism spectrum, can benefit from these fundamental skills and enjoy the water in a safe and comfortable environment. Adults seeking to improve their swimming prowess or learn how to swim for the first time can enroll in adult swim lessons tailored to their specific goals.

Our swim lessons near me are a convenient and accessible way for you and your family to learn how to swim in a comfortable environment. Our dedicated instructors are passionate about teaching and ensuring your progress in the water. Take a few minutes to view Our Swimmer Stories to learn more about what other families are saying about their experience with Texas Swim Academy. 

Contact us to learn more about our programs or stop by our state-of-the-art swimming facility in Katy to register today. Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for important news, updates, and swimming safety tips, and read our blog to keep up-to-date with important information on water safety and proper swimming lessons.