LITTLE ROCK — The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new guidelines regarding the age its doctors believe children should learn to swim. They had recommended that swim lessons could begin at age 4 or older, but in May this was reduced to age 1.
The reason the pediatricians originally opposed swimming lessons for kids under 4 was that no studies had proved learning to swim at such an early age prevented drowning. In fact, there was a concern that parents whose young babies supposedly knew how to swim would be less vigilant when supervising them around the water.
There is now evidence that children between the ages of 1 and 4 are less likely to drown if they are given formal swimming lessons. Jeffrey Weiss, lead author of the new policy statement, says, “Parents must look at the skills, maturity level and frequency of their child’s exposure to water to determine when they are ready for lessons. Not every child is ready to learn to swim at the same age.”
One of the reasons the group lowered the age recommendation is because of the increase in sales of large, inexpensive portable inflatable pools. Because they are portable, they are often exempt from building codes requiring them to be fenced in. Their soft side poses a danger, as a child could lean over and fall in head first.
The pediatrics group notes that teenagers and toddlers are at the greatest risk for drowning. From 2000 to 2006, the highest death rates were seen in white boys ages 0-4 and black males ages 15-19. Weiss says that “no matter what, children cannot be ‘drown-proof’ and every child needs to eventually learn to swim and must always be closely supervised around water.”
Connie Harvey, head of aquatics development for the American Red Cross, suggests parents should choose classes that emphasize water safety, have at least one instructor for every 10 students, and also require the parents to be in the water with their child.
The pediatricians group notes that “close supervision” means being within arm’s length.
ActiveStyle, Pages 28 on 06/21/2010