Summer is approaching and, for most parts of the country, this usually means warm weather and time to play in the water. I was shocked last weekend when I saw people swimming in Lake Whatcom. I can only imagine how cold the water must be right now, as at least for me, here in the Puget Sound area, it is not quite swimsuit time yet. I know the time is coming, though.
For most children, playing in the water is one of the most enjoyable and free-spirited of summer activities. It’s also great exercise. That’s why it’s so important to teach kids about water safety and how to swim. Without question, it’s one of the most important skills they’ll ever learn. Swiftly moving rivers pose obvious hazards, but parents don’t always realize that children can drown in the shallow end of a backyard pool, even in a few inches of water. Never leave a toddler or non-swimmer alone near water. This includes wading pools, buckets of water, or the decorative pond at a friend’s house.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently changed their policy about swim lessons for children. The prior statement discouraged lessons for children under four years of age. This never really resonated well with my practice as even with my own daughter, we started swim classes much earlier than this. The new statement says “new evidence shows that children ages one to four may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction. The studies are small, and they don’t define what type of lessons work best.” So the AAP is not recommending mandatory swim lessons for all children ages one to four at this time, but they ask you as a parent to consider whether to enroll your child in swim lessons based on your child’s frequency of exposure to water, emotional development, physical abilities, and certain health concerns related to pool water infections and pool chemicals.
The Frightened Toddler
Lots of kids are afraid of water at first, and some carry that fear longer than others. Telling them to “be brave” or “act grown up,” forcing them to jump into the water, certainly won’t help. The answer is trust. Talk with your child about what will make them feel safe in the water, and don’t press them before you’ve earned their trust.
Boats Afloat
If you plan on boating this summer, remember that Coast Guard-approved life jackets are not just a smart idea, they’re required by law. Your child’s jacket should be snug, but not constricting. Keep the straps fastened at all times.
If your older child wants to try water -skiing or tubing, be absolutely certain you have the safety equipment, keep a sharp eye out, and use good judgment at all times. It takes only a second of inattention or carelessness for disaster to strike.
Keep in mind that every child has different strengths and levels of coordination and that children of similar age and build may have completely different abilities.
This last weekend I was supposed to run the Rock and Roll Marathon in Seattle as I have done quite a few marathons over the years. Things did not work out as planned because about two months ago I developed an overuse injury that is slowly getting better. Having learned the lesson the hard way that my mind is stronger than my body on more than one occasion, like tearing muscles, for the first time I actually made the decision to let my body rest and not put it to that level of stress. It was the right decision.
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