Teaching children to swim: 5 non-negotiable reasons

Learning to swim is an activity that brings many benefits to your children. It is a complete activity that involves all the muscles of the body, strengthens cardiovascular capacities and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. As a swim school, Swim Stars is well positioned to highlight 5 unbeatable reasons to learn to swim to convince you and your child!

Children always have an excuse not to learn to swim

“I don’t like the pool,” “I don’t want to wear the cap,” “I prefer soccer,” “I have a stomachache,” “I have to pee.”
How many more excuses do children have to discourage parents from teaching them to swim? Don’t be fooled anymore! It’s like a new dish… first, you taste it. It’s a good thing that at Swim Stars, we make our courses very special. We put all the chances on your side so that your child comes in and out with a smile!

1. Reason number 1: to learn to swim for my child’s safety

According to the World Health Organization in 2018, there are an estimated 360,000 drowning deaths annually worldwide.
In France, drowning is the 1st cause of death by accident of everyday life in children under 25 years old. It concerns 43% of children under 6 years old and the majority of them are in private pools.

Drownings: alarming figures that must be known and fought

During swimming lessons, coaches work on many safety techniques. You may not realize it, but every step of
a SELF-RESCUE
course will involve preparing your child for the eventuality of a hazard. From a very young age, your child is able to
learn the survival reflexes in case of a fall in water (see the article in Le Parisien)
including knowing how to save himself by turning over on his back to float and get into a safe position.

2. Swimming is very good for your lungs and heart

Swimming trains the body to use oxygen more efficiently and can also help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

3. Swimming improves heart strength and muscle development

As your children grow, their bodies are developing rapidly. Their muscles go through a lot of changes, and being in the water not only strengthens them, but also allows them to recover. Your children will develop real skills to engage in a wide range of physical activities.

4. Another good reason: it’s an inclusive sport

Considering the learning of swimming as a fundamental knowledge, the practice of this sport is a formidable vector of equality. With our small group swimming lessons, students, despite all their differences, are able to come together around a common goal. It is also an opportunity to make many friends, because you learn better with a friend!

5. It is a physical activity that can inspire other sports vocations!

Learning to swim is first and foremost the basis for being comfortable in the water in all circumstances. And if swimming several kilometers in all four strokes with intensity is not your child’s cup of tea, but he likes water, you can be sure that he will be curious to discover the benefits of synchronized swimmingwater polo, windsurfing, aqua gym, or even high diving!

Why swim all year round? Our 5 good reasons!

Fall, winter, spring and summer… Learning to save yourself, learning to swim, conquering your fear of water or improving your skills are activities that take time. Indeed, it is much less efficient to learn to swim during the summer to be ready…during the summer! Apart from that, why swim all year round? We give you all the reasons to make it a regular activity.

The benefits of swimming, regardless of age or season

You can choose between a heated outdoor pool for swimming in the winter sun or an indoor pool. Snow or shine, swimming is an all-weather activity. So you have no excuse! The benefits are numerous and your objectives depend on you: relaxation, learning the technique and reflexes that save lives, getting back in shape, competitions…
We give you great reasons to stay motivated all year long, whether you are an adult or a child.

1) Swim all year round to be safe in the water

From the shower to school swimming lessons to vacations at the sea, water is a very present environment throughout life. But water is also a dangerous and anxiety-provoking environment. Indeed, every year, many drownings are recorded. The first cause of death by accidents of everyday life in the under 25s, they also affect other age categories.

The best way to avoid them is tolearn how to save yourself and to learn how to swim, if possible from a young age. Baby swimmers, aquaphobic adults or beginners, anti-drowning courses from 3 years old, swimming techniques improvement… Courses are available for all levels. The word of a pro! “You have to know how to read, write, count… and swim”, Fabien Gilot, Olympic swimming champion.

2) Staying healthy

Swimming is a complete activity that uses all the muscles of the body, strengthens cardiovascular capacities and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It is also important to know that sport in general, and swimming in particular, is an excellent medicine against diseases.
Swimming is an endurance sport that boosts the immune system by stimulating white blood cells (those that help fight viruses and bacteria). And water is also very beneficial for cleaning the ENT sphere and clearing the bronchi.

Swimming all year round is therefore ideal for building up shoulder muscles, strengthening the back, developing the rib cage, etc. And limit the arrival of microbes! In short, you gain health and lightness. But how do you choose a swimming class?

3) Allow yourself time to progress

The number of swimming lessons required varies depending on the initial level and goals of the learner swimmer. No one learns at the same speed, but what makes the difference is the length of time it takes to learn and the consistency! Making progress takes time and consistency. While the first few sessions are often the hardest, keep the momentum going and celebrate each new step. And above all, have fun!

Whether the objective is to improve your skills, to overcome a fear of water or to teach survival reflexes to younger children, we recommend that you swim between 6 months and 1 year. And 3 or 4 classes per month to see the results faster. Find the pool nearest you and get started now!

4) Fighting against pain

Swimming is a sport recommended by all health professionals. In fact, swimming does not cause trauma or impact from contact with the ground. In this respect, the aquatic environment offers a very interesting mix of floating, propulsion and movement. In the water, there is no risk of compression of the back discs and joint pain for example! A true health sport, swimming allows you to gently build up your entire body.

Because in this environment where you have to be in motion to stay out of the water and move forward, the body is in constant sheathing and all the muscles are used in a deep but gentle way.
Want to know which stroke works which muscles?

5) Swim all year round…to feel good about yourself!

Swimming is a great antidote for depression and better sleep. Indeed, by mixing a playful environment and the benefits of effort in an aquatic environment, swimming activates the secretion of endorphins, hormones that help you feel good and sleep. Or how to combine stamina and appeasement!

Swimming, and sport in general, is therefore recommended for many reasons: it improves quick decision making, works memory and concentration, provides confidence and relaxation… This is true at all ages and even more so for the growing child. Sport and social development, why is it a good combo?

https://blog.swimstars.fr/bienfaits-activites-extra-scolaires/

Learning to swim: how does baby do it?

All babies learn to swim with repetition exercises, word associations, and regular swimming sessions. Teaching baby to swim is a breeze!

Baby learns to swim step by step

From the first weeks, babies naturally make rhythmic, coordinated movements and stop breathing underwater. After 6 months, this beneficial reflex in learning to swim eventually diminishes. Why? Because baby is taking control of his breathing when he goes in the water.

Until age 3, infants and toddlers lack the strength, coordination and motor skills needed to swim on the surface. Their body mass also complicates the task. However, with the right guidance and lots of encouragement, these little shrimp can swim short distances underwater.

Their motor skills, strength and endurance will result in self-sufficient swimmers with perfectly controlled arm and leg movements. Later, these babies will grow up to kick and swim the crawl.

Baby learns to swim with his head under water thanks to his natural ability to cut off his breathing.

Learning about starfish!

One of the first positions to teach your baby is the back float (starfish). This is generally the most comfortable position for a baby when in the water, as is the case for children 3 years and older.

However, if your baby really doesn’t like this position, just hold him or her upright. Have your arms outstretched in front of you, hands under your armpits, child’s shoulders in the water and baby facing you. Keep your face 20 to 40 cm away so he can see you. And this until your baby builds up enough confidence in the water to try again. The starfish is a relaxing position that allows your baby to feel the sensation of floating away from the womb.

Learning to swim with your baby is a unique experience.

https://blog.swimstars.fr/3-bonnes-raisons-inscrire-cours-bebe-nageur/

Why does having a coach to teach my children to swim make all the difference?

Learning to swim requires fun, effort and consistency. To give your children the necessary motivation and every chance to succeed, we believe that the accompaniment of a Swim Stars coach represents 3 main advantages

The 3 advantages of hiring a coach for my child

1. A coach to give you every chance to succeed

Swim Stars coaches will supervise your children during the swimming lesson. Our team is trained in the same pedagogical content and shares common objectives. The goal is to give your child every opportunity to learn to swim. We prefer small groups to involve all the children, with the coach in the water. By being present during the swim lesson, the parent can also observe our approach and use it as inspiration to adopt the right attitude.

However, being a coach is a job and the natural authority he or she has is necessary to pass on knowledge to your child. In the same way that you can’t become a school teacher, you can’t replace the coach. She is the only person he will listen to. Your role as a parent is to encourage and play with your child in the water so that swimming becomes a pleasure!

2. To listen and give confidence

The Swim Stars coaches have an essential quality which is listening. It is thanks to our benevolence and at the same time our requirement that we manage to retain our members. We want to get to know you better andaccompany your children in their life journey. To do this, we focus on the good atmosphere of the group to motivate the children, give them the smile and confidence they need to unleash their potential.

“You should always listen to the child if he is well with the coach”.

This is the pedagogical advice given by Emilie, Swim Stars coach, during an interview for the blog.

3. To have a pedagogical follow-up

Having a coach who knows your child well because he trains him every week is the key to progress. Indeed, thanks to the regularity and the pedagogical follow-up, your child will have an exponential progression curve. Then, when your little fish has reached a certain level of comfort and confidence, it may be worthwhile to change coaches.

Indeed, change can be beneficial because it can bring a fresh perspective to make you progress even faster. It is also a way to get the child out of his comfort zone. Because a new coach may have new requirements!

So what if the pool is closed? 7 ingenious ideas to keep progressing at home!

Confined, deconfined, reconfined, redeconfined… Pool closed, then reopened, then closed again, then reopened again; we don’t know where to turn! Fortunately, despite the pool closures and the cessation of swimming lessons during the lockdown, we still have our bathroom to practice in.

Enclosed swimming pool : find 7 ingenious ideas to continue to progress in swimming from home

1. Put your head under water

Running a warm bath with enough water to submerge the head is an opportunity to get your child used to getting his face wet, at his own pace. The important thing is to never force the child so as not to traumatize him or her and so that the initiative comes from his or her own will.
No bathtub? Don’t worry, the shower head is a very good technique to learn how to wet your face gradually and gently. And it’s fun too!
You can also use a sponge filled with water, which your child will have fun wringing out on the top of his head to gently run the warm water over his face.

2. Hold your breath and blow bubbles

It’s time to close your mouth and pinch your nose if necessary to hold your breath. Next, tell your child to blow into the water like blowing out candles on a cake, keeping his mouth and chin in the water.
To learn not to drink the cup, blowing bubbles is an essential exercise to control your breath and understand how to reject water by mouth (instead of sucking it up!)

3. Listen to the sleeping water with your ears

When the ears are soaped, rinse them well. Slowly but surely, guide your child to gently place the right ear on the water, then the left. This exercise will provide a sensory experience and will also help to soothe your child.
Ask him if he can hear the sounds the water makes. It’s almost like being at the sea!

4. Entertain and progress with bath toys

Finding the colored rings on the bottom of the water is a popular exercise for children during swimming lessons at the pool. But the bathtub version is just as nice! Because a multitude of toys, shapes and colors can be hidden in the water. This game of hide and seek will still allow him to put his head near or under water.

5. Closed swimming pool: making the starfish in the bath, it also works

The starfish is the safety position in case of a fall in the water. Why not practice it in the bathtub? The arms and legs will not have the same range of motion as in the pool, but it is ideal for training. Ask your child to lie on his or her back and look up at the sky so that his or her ears are in the water and his or her chin is out of the water when rinsing.

Tell him to “do like Poulpy”, our favorite drowning prevention mascot!
You can even have fun counting to 5 or 10, like our coaches do.

6. Practice getting out of the bath by yourself

Ho-hiss! Now that the in-house course is over, it’s time to get back on land. Just as you learn to save your life by getting out of the pool, you get your wrinkled skin out of the water to wrap yourself in your soft towel and move on to the pajama stage. The idea is to get your child used to moving over obstacles and onto the bath mat, in balance and without hurting himself, one leg after the other for example, and with your assistance if necessary.

7. Closed pool: learning to jump outside the pool

Since jumping into the bath is absolutely not recommended for safety reasons and flooding of the bathroom, we recommend a well raised bed to teach him to jump into your arms. It is not the jumping that is difficult, it is the psychological preparation for the jump and the evaluation of the height. It’s also the decision to launch yourself into the air to arrive in a new, uncontrolled environment, i.e. water (or your arms in this case). But in your child’s room, perched on the mezzanine, you eliminate the fear of water and jumping. Repeat the jumps several times and it will become a game, whereas you probably spent 5 minutes convincing him to jump the first time. Patience pays off! And the efforts too!

With all these great ideas, we bet your child will have the right predisposition to learn to swim and (re)start swimming lessons!