Summer is around the corner, which means spending more family time outdoors and beating the heat poolside or at the beach. As swimming season quickly approaches, Swimways International Learn to Swim Day™, May 18th, is the perfect time for parents to take steps to ensure their kids learn to swim not only for fun, but for safety.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-14 and the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. Teaching children how to swim is one of the most special life-saving gifts parents can give children! The benefits of learning to swim don’t stop with fun and safety. According to a national survey commissioned by Swimways, most parents understand that learning to swim by age 5 increases a child’s self-confidence, but 88% of parents are unaware it can also aid in the development of mathematical skills, only 14% understand it can help develop oral expression and less than half understand it can boost children’s social skills.
Three-time Team USA Olympian, 2-time Olympic medalist and USA Swimming Foundation Ambassador Elizabeth Beisel began swimming at age 5. She certainly knows the importance and benefits of getting an early start in the water. She is serving as the International Learn to Swim Day™ spokesperson, helping to spread the message about the importance of teaching children to swim.
