As the season turns to summer, the Naperville YMCA encourages children and parents to explore the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety top of mind. In Y swim programs, participants can enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, while also learning safety skills that can save lives.
It’s never too early to get children involved in swimming – it’s important for safety reasons, but also a great way to keep active and healthy. There are so many options for parents, but the best place to start is by learning basic water safety skills that helps get kids familiar with the water that often continues with swim lessons and competitive swim programs and can even lead to a career.
The YMCA encourages parents to take an active role in fostering a relationship between their children and swimming—beginning with water safety. Following are 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, swimming is a great way to increase physical activity. Swimming also motivates children to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal orientation and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem
As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, the Y has been a leader in providing swim lessons and water safety. The Naperville YMCA 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 YMCA’s swim programs, please contact the Fry YMCA at (630) 904-9595 or the Kroehler YMCA at (630) 420-6270.
