As the season turns from winter to spring, the Naperville YMCAs encourages children and parents to explore the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety top of mind. In Y swim programs, participants can enhance or learn new techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, while also learning safety skills that can save lives.
“Swimming is not only a fun, healthy activity, but an important life skill for all children,” Tracy Gray, Aquatics Program Director. “Learning basic water safety skills is a great introduction to the world of swimming that often continues with swim lessons and competitive swim programs, and can even lead to a career.”
As part of National Water Safety Month in May, the Naperville YMCAs encourages parents to take an active role in fostering a relationship between their children and swimming—beginning with water safety. Following our safety tips to practice when in and around the water:
- Only swim when and where there is a lifeguard on duty; never swim alone.
- Adults should constantly and actively watch their children.
- Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Parents or guardians of young children should be within an arm’s reach.
- Children and adults should not engage in breath holding activities.
In addition to learning lifesaving water safety skills, children can increase their physical activity by swimming. Swimming also motivates children to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal orientation and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem. It also teaches life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, so that children can learn how to work well with teammates and coaches and how to deal with winning and losing.
As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, the Y has been a leader in providing swim lessons and water safety. The Naperville YMCAs continues to help youth and adults experience the joy and benefits of swimming, so they can be healthy, confident and secure in the water.
To learn more about the Naperville YMCAs at (630) 904-9595 or visit us at www.napervilleymca.org.
