The KIDS FIRST Swim School Program is the world’s largest provider of children’s swimming instruction, and in this post, we will explore why parents should not just consider but actively encourage their children to participate in the Program.
Children are inherently curious and always want to try out many things, including dangerous kinds of stuff, and as parents, we can’t help but feel concerned when they’re moving that way.
For example, many children are drawn to water, whether it’s during their bathtime or other aquatic situations.
But we both know how dangerous water can be for kids, considering the fact that more children between the ages of 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.
While for children between the ages of 5–14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.
With these reports, it’s safe to conclude that the importance of instilling valuable life skills, like swimming, in our children cannot be overstated.
Moreover, apart from the fact that swimming enhances children’s safety, it also contributes to their physical and cognitive development.
This is why parents need to understand that they have a duty to raise and nurture well-rounded individuals equipped with valuable life skills to face life’s challenges head-on.
On that note, one of the ways to demonstrate that duty is by enrolling your child in The KIDS FIRST Swim School Program.
From its unwavering commitment to safety and skill development to its nurturing and experienced instructors, this Program has consistently proven to be a game-changer in swim education.
As we delve into the advantages of the KIDS FIRST Swim School Program, we invite parents and caregivers to realize how this Program beats the conventional swimming lessons, offering a comprehensive approach that empowers children with essential life skills, fosters confidence, and nurtures a love for the water.
So, whether you have a toddler taking their first dip or a teenager looking to refine their stroke technique, this Program caters to all age groups and skill levels.
About The KIDS FIRST Swim School Program
KIDS FIRST Swim Schools is an innovative swim school dedicated to teaching kids how to swim in a warm, loving environment. They have warm water swimming facilities open all year.
In designated observation areas with one-way glass, you can see your child’s class without obstructing their education.
You can choose from any of the different formats, including Mommy (or Daddy) & Me, Small Groups, Private, or Semi-Private, to ensure that your child receives the level of attention you want.
All trainers permitted to teach are usually certified by the Director of Training and Development.
This curriculum has achieved exceptional success with thousands of students and differs significantly from the conventional ways of education.
Classes meet once a week for half an hour and are provided in six-week periods for all programs (selected locations run on monthly schedules).
They also have a curriculum for you whether your youngster is just starting to blow bubbles or needs to improve their competitive strokes.
What Makes This Program Unique?
- It has the best-specialty-designed training pool in America, maintained at a 90° angle with 2 to 5-foot depths.
- Your child’s learning experience is enhanced by qualified teachers, a copyrighted program (The KIDS FIRST/Kick FIRST Learn to Swim System), and a kid-friendly setting.
- Thanks to the many options, there is a program out there for your child and your budget.
- In the Mid-Atlantic region, there are numerous convenient sites!
Reasons Why Parents Should Choose The KIDS FIRST Swim School Program
Here are some reasons why parents should choose the KIDS FIRST swim school program for their kids:
- Safety: As a family-run business, this Program firmly believes in treating every one of its clients as a member of the clan. They genuinely care about the kids they teach and work hard to ensure every kid has the best experience learning to swim.
- Affordability: They make every effort to keep tuition costs reasonable for all families, and they also provide excellent multi-session and military discounts to reduce further the cost of their lessons for all types of families.
- Specialty Pools Designed for Education: All of their pools are just 2 feet deep when they are first built, and they are kept at a constant 90 degrees throughout the year so that even the youngest swimmers can stay warm and touch the bottom while learning.
Additionally, they have learning benches built into the swimming pools that let the Level 1 and Level 2 swimmers continue honing their techniques as our instructors work with each student individually.
- Curriculum: The Library of Congress has registered its original curriculum as a trademark. It was created with renowned swimming instructors’ assistance and taught kids to swim properly. They are the first swim program in the world to start kids off with 1:6 timing.
- Everybody is Invited: They take pride in providing activities for kids as young as three months old and adults and elderly! They can find a program to meet your needs, no matter what they are, between private lessons, adult classes, parent and child programs, and a developing swim team.
- Flexibility: You only have to sign up for 6 classes at KIDS FIRST Swim Schools, and you can choose any day of the week that works for you.
They don’t impose contracts or recurring payments and let their clients take breaks whenever their lives become too hectic! Even better discounts are available for purchasing numerous sessions at once, but they do not need to be utilized in order.
Why Every Parent Should Enroll Their Kids In a Swimming Program
Learning to swim can lead to a world of possibilities for your child. Your child will benefit from the lessons they learn in swim classes for the rest of their lives.
These teachings may even save lives. Children who receive proper swim instruction have an 88% lower risk of drowning.
They’re also more likely to have positive attitudes toward physical activity and fitness. Let’s look at some more advantages of swimming classes for kids.
1. Safety
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death in children between the ages of 1 and 4.
For older children between the ages of 5 and 14, it is the second highest cause of death. Teaching your kids how to swim is absolutely important.
All the water safety skills that children require to stay safe in and around water are taught by skilled swim instructors.
2. Better Sleep
Many parents find it difficult to help their kids relax before bed. Swimming is a strenuous exercise that works every muscle in the body. Improved sleep may be the outcome of this degree of energy expenditure.
3. Mental Health
The ability to calm the mind is one of the most potent advantages of swimming classes. Swimming releases endorphins, which are happy hormones that make you feel good.
Being in the water is naturally soothing. The stress hormone cortisol is also decreased by exercise.
4. Increased Confidence
Kids who possess confidence will benefit in school, sports, and other areas of their lives. Children can see and feel their progress while they swim, which helps them build confidence.
Kids may feel anxious when they first start swimming lessons.
5. Better Cognitive Function
You might not sign up your kids for swimming lessons with the intention of having an academic impact, but this could be an unintended consequence.
Early swimming instruction improves the visual-motor abilities of young children. According to studies, young swimmers have a 20-month advantage over their non-swimming classmates in their ability to follow directions and solve problems.
In actuality, young swimmers outperformed their counterparts regarding mental and physical development. Swim training improves the motor skills of kids.
Children who take swim lessons often do better in school because of the skills they learn there.
6. Improved Coordination & Balance
There are numerous physical advantages for kids to swim. Strength and flexibility are enhanced via swimming, which leads to improved balance and coordination.
These physical abilities can keep your child safe on land and in the water and enhance their performance in other sports.
7. Social Skills
Lessons in swimming can inspire a deep passion for the sport. During sessions, your children will have the opportunity to socialize with other young swimmers.
Additionally, they might acquire the abilities required to join a swim team in their school or neighborhood.
Since children can always participate, swim teams can be more inclusive than other sports teams.
Additionally, swim teams provide a sense of community that could result in lifelong connections.
Youngsters can travel to new towns and cities as part of a swimming team, where they can meet youngsters from all different backgrounds.
A child can benefit from learning social skills in the pool for the rest of their lives.
8. Muscle Development
Body strength is needed for swimming. It aids children in building muscle safely. Swimming is a low-impact sport.
Thus, children are considerably less likely to suffer joint or skeletal injuries than when participating in other sports.
In addition, exercising in the water lasts longer without causing muscle or joint pain than exercising on land.
9. Healthy Heart
Swimming helps to maintain excellent cardiovascular health. As a result, the heart is strengthened and can better distribute blood throughout the body.
Additionally, studies have shown that swimming frequently can reduce blood pressure and enhance blood vessel function.
Kids who swim gain higher stamina due to improved cardiovascular health and stronger muscles.
Your child may be able to use this endurance in other sports and leisure pursuits.
10. Continuous Love For Exercise
Kids who swim early learn to equate fitness with enjoyment, one of the sport’s most important advantages.
Your children can develop a healthy relationship with fitness that will last throughout their lives.
What To Look For When Choosing Swim Lessons For Your Kids
Look for programs and instructors who adhere to standards emphasizing water survival competency skills more broadly than just the swim stroke technique.
For instance, all kids should learn how to exit the water, propel themselves at least 25 yards, and come back to the surface from underwater.
Children’s development should be assessed, and teachers should continuously provide feedback on students’ skill levels. A program like that of the “KIDS FIRST” is highly recommended.
For kids of all ages, seek out initiatives that:
- Have knowledgeable, competent educators. A nationally regarded learn-to-swim program should be used to train and certify swim teachers. Additionally, there must be CPR and First Aid certified lifeguards on duty.
- Teach good water-related safety practices. Children should learn to swim under adult supervision and never by themselves. When entering a pool or other body of water, including a lake, children should always ask their parents, lifeguards, or swimming instructors for permission.
- Teach them what to do if they accidentally find themselves in the water. This involves working on water competency abilities like self-rescue. Lessons should simulate a range of real-world scenarios, such as falling in and swimming while wearing clothes. Older kids should learn what to do and how to get help if they observe someone else suffering in the water.
- Allow you to observe a class beforehand to determine whether it is appropriate for your child. Swimming lessons are not all equal, so parents should compare their alternatives to find the best fit. Do they spend most of their time swimming, or do they wait for their turn for extended periods of time? Do you give your kids one-on-one time? Are the instructors welcoming and well-informed?
- Many sessions are necessary. Once children begin lessons, you should be able to observe, over time, a steady but constant improvement in their skills. Continue teaching at least until they are proficient in the fundamentals of water safety.
In addition, for children under age 4, look for programs that:
- Make the environment age-appropriate. Your child should feel safe and secure during sessions with activities that assist their social, intellectual, physical, and emotional development. But kids also need to learn to respect water in a healthy way.
- Specify “touch supervision.” Even during swimming classes, an adult should always be within arm’s reach to provide “touch supervision” whenever infants and toddlers are in or near water. It is important to encourage parent involvement since it gives families ideas for practice sessions between lessons. Look for private sessions that provide one-on-one teaching if you cannot be in the water with your child.
- keep the water pure. Since young children are more prone to ingesting or breathing in water, keeping chlorine levels in check and disinfecting the water supply is crucial. To help prevent spreading waste into the water, an effective program should also mandate that the youngster wear a swimsuit that fits tightly at the legs.
- Warm the water up. At this age, hypothermia is more likely to occur. Children 3 and younger should ideally take swim and water safety lessons in water that is heated to 87 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit.
How To Supervise Your Child in or Near Water
One of the most crucial ways to help avoid drowning is by proper supervision in the water, especially if your child is still learning to swim.
Drowning occurs more frequently than most families realize. It’s silent and happens quickly. Children with caring, attentive parents and caregivers experience it almost daily or weekly, as the case may be.
When supervising your child during swim time, bear in mind the following:
- Pay close attention, and don’t let up. Even if lifeguards are present, avoid being sidetracked by other activities (such as reading, playing games, using a telephone, or mowing the lawn).
- Avoid drinking or taking drugs near the water, especially if you control others.
- Get in the water with tiny children and other not-strong swimmers. The importance of “touch supervision” Keep kids within reach at all times, even if you aren’t swimming, but there is a pool or body of water nearby. If you must go, bring the kid along.
- Never entrust a baby or young child to another youngster’s care when they are in or near a body of water.
- Assign a “water watcher” whose responsibility is to always keep an eye on the child in or near the water, especially during parties or picnics at the lake or pool when it is simple to get sidetracked. Pass a water watcher card to the following responsible adult after a certain period of time (such as 15 minutes) by taking turns.
- Remember that unexpected, unattended entry to water is the main cause of drowning in toddlers ages 1-4. Children are inherently interested and frequently leave the area unobserved while swimming is not taking place.
- When in, on, or close to natural bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers, always wear a life jacket. Check to see if the U.S. Coast Guard has approved them and if they fit properly. When at a pool or water park, people who can’t swim should also wear life jackets.
- Know how to react when there are problems and how to spot indicators of distress. Everyone—including parents, caregivers, and older kids—should learn CPR and safe rescue practices to respond to a drowning occurrence. Safety on the water is a family affair!
Conclusion
Every family should place a high premium on learning to swim.
It’s a crucial life skill that can assist in significantly reducing drowning, the leading cause of death among children.
Kids and their parents should learn to swim to keep time in the water safe and enjoyable.