The science behind swimming- Why it is great for growing kids

As parents, we all want the best for our children: healthy habits, strong bodies, and

confident minds. In today’s digital age, it can sometimes be challenging to get

children moving with so many distractions from screens and devices. Although

technology can be a wonderful tool for learning, research confirms that excessive

screen time have a negative impact on health and development. By enrolling your

child in swimming lessons, you’re already taking a fantastic step toward prioritizing

their physical activity and overall well-being. Swimming is more than just a fun

activity; it’s an incredible way to support your child’s development. Let’s dive into the

benefits of swimming and explore why it’s one of the best activities for growing

children.

1. Physical Development

Swimming is a full-body workout that helps children develop strength, flexibility, and

endurance. When your child swims, they engage nearly every muscle in their body,

from their arms and legs to their core and back. This balanced activity promotes:

 Strong Muscles: Because water is much denser than air, swimming’s higher

resistance against the body’s movements helps strengthen muscle mass.

 Improved Cardiovascular Health: The continues, coordinated breathing

strengthens the heart and lungs, setting the stage for a lifetime of good health.

 Improved Fundamental movement skills (FMS): fundamental movement

skills are a prerequisite to a child’s daily functioning. A critical time for FMS

development is from age 3-5 years. Research has shown that swimming

improves FMS development significantly in children aged 3-11 years.

 Posture and Balance: Swimming helps children develop better posture and

coordination as they learn to control their movements in water.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the first swimming goggles were made from tortoise

shells?

2. Coordination and Motor Skills

Swimming requires children to coordinate their arms, legs, and breathing—often

simultaneously. This complex activity enhances their:

 Motor Skills: Learning strokes and kicks fine-tunes hand-eye coordination

and overall motor control.

 Spatial Awareness: Understanding how to move efficiently through water

improves spatial reasoning and body awareness.

 Reflexes: Swimming encourages quick thinking and faster reflexes as kids

respond to water currents and coach’s instructions.

Fun Fact: A space shuttle turbopump could empty an Olympic size pool under 25

seconds!

3. Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

Swimming isn’t just good for the body; it’s great for the mind too. The calming effect

of water combined with physical exertion promotes:

 Stress Relief: Being in water has a natural soothing effect, helping children

relax and manage stress.

 Confidence Boosting: As your child master new skills and overcome

challenges, their self-esteem soars. How many times have you hear a child

say to their parent “I did it all by myself!”?

 Improved Focus: Regular swimming can enhance concentration and

memory, aiding performance in school and other activities.

Fun Fact: Water immersion increases blood flow to the brain, which can improve

mood and cognitive clarity. It’s like a natural brain booster!

4. The Social Side of Swimming

Swimming lessons and group activities provide an excellent environment for children

to develop and enhance their social skills. They learn to:

 Work as a Team: Group classes encourage cooperation and camaraderie.

 Communication: Swimmers receive instructions from their instructor, which

they often discuss with each other, and they can ask questions, express their

needs, fears and uncertainties in a safe, supported environment. All this

support healthy communication skills.

 Celebrate Achievements: Whether it’s mastering a new stroke, or putting

their whole face in the water, or float like a starfish, swimming fosters a sense

of accomplishment.

Fun Fact: Breaststroke is the oldest known stroke, and the slowest of the four main

strokes in swimming.

5. A Lifetime of Benefits

The skills and habits your child develop through swimming extend far beyond the

pool. They’ll gain a foundation for healthy living, resilience, and a lifelong love of

water activities, and most importantly, they learn life-saving water safety skills.

Fun Fact: Benjamin Franklin invented swimming flippers and fins when he was 11

years old.

Dive In!

As you watch your child progress through their swimming lessons, know that you’re

fostering skills that will serve them for a lifetime. Celebrate each milestone, no matter

how small, and enjoy the journey alongside them. Together, let’s make this year one of growth, confidence, and success in and out of the pool!