My daughter just turned 3, which I’ve heard is a safe age for her to learn how to swim. I’ve known how to swim since I was her age, and I’m pretty sure I can teach her, but there may be some rules of swimming safety for children that I do not know. Please let me know what to look out for.
Swimming is one of the most popular sporting activities in America, with more than 60 million men, women, and children participating each year. Whether for fun, for exercise, or competition, swimming has always been an excellent way to stay healthy, so it’s good that you’re planning to teach your daughter.
To start, there is one cardinal rule that all parents should follow when their children start swimming: pay attention, always! It takes as little as 30 seconds — roughly the same amount of time it takes to send a text message — and just two inches of water, for a child to drown. Your attentiveness as a parent will never be more crucial than when your 3-year-old daughter is going for a swim, especially when she’s learning.
Another concern should be staying on the lookout for the signs of waterborne illnesses, and minimizing your daughter’s risk of contracting one. A 3 year old’s immune system is still developing, making the child particularly susceptible to infections from germs that can remain in the water, even after that water has been treated with chlorine. These illnesses are usually spread by swallowing, inhaling, or coming into contact with water that is contaminated with germs.
While a little swallowed pool water isn’t usually a cause for concern, too much can lead to diarrhea-related stomach illnesses. Contaminated water that gets into your child’s ear canal can also cause infections, most commonly “swimmer’s ear,” and other waterborne illnesses can affect the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Teaching your daughter not to drink pool water, encouraging her to spit out any water that gets in her mouth, and making sure that she wears earplugs while swimming will go a long way toward preventing illnesses, but if you notice any of the signs, you should contact your child’s pediatrician right away.
You should also be aware that if children aren’t potty trained, they should be wearing swim-diapers at all times. They should also be bathed in soap and water before going swimming to avoid spreading germs.
There’s no reason for you and your daughter to have anything but a good time in the water. As long as you stay smart and attentive, you have the best chance of making sure her learning experience goes swimmingly.
