CYPRESS, Texas – One of the earliest practical skills you can introduce to your child is the ability to swim.
With the summer months steadily approaching—and the summer temperatures coming even sooner—it’s important to make sure you are prepared to safely and effectively teach your child to swim.
Swim lessons can begin at many places and as early as 3 months old.
Last year, KPRC 2 health reporter Haley Hernandez spoke with Christina Richmond, Kid’s Academy and Aquatics Leader at Life Time Athletics in Cypress.
Richmond provided insight into some of the best practices to ensure that swimming can be a safe and rewarding experience for your little ones.
“Initially they’re going through survival skills, learning if there was an accident how to get out of the water on their own,” Richmond said.
Flotation devices, she says, can be used as a teaching tool but shouldn’t be relied on as a safety net over proper supervision. Proper supervision is the 25:10 rule.
“If a swimmer cannot continuously swim on their own for 25 meters, then an adult must be in the water with them at least 10 feet from the swimmer,” Richmond explained. “Twenty-five meters is the length of our pool from one end to the other, unassisted.”
For Sabrina, it’s important that her kids gained that strength, no matter what water they’re in.
“Especially in Houston, you have lakes, pools, if you want to go in the ocean,” she said. “If moms are asking why, ‘I don’t have access to a pool?’ It’s not about that. It creates a sense of independence for them.”
The ultimate safety tip is for everyone to know CPR.
SIMILAR STORIES