Learning to swim at a young age has been shown to have long term benefits for the child. A four-year study conducted by Griffith University reported in 2013 a number of social, physical, cognitive and emotional benefits to babies in high quality swim lessons. “While we expected the children to show better physical development and perhaps be more confident through swimming, the results in literacy and numeracy really shocked us,” lead researcher Professor Robyn Jorgensen said. Swimming affords a developing child:

1. Cognitive skill development anywhere from six to 15 months ahead of the normal population, including problem solving in mathematics, counting, language and following instructions.
2. The opportunity for a complete workout of heart, lungs, muscles and bones.
3. An ability to improve quality of sleep and boost circulation aiding the immune system function resulting in fewer colds.
4. Important social and emotional bonding to develop between baby and their caregiver away from cell phones, televisions and other modern distractions.
5. A reduced risk of drowning: Formal swim lessons between ages 1 and 4 can help reduce the risk of drowning by 88% according to the National Institute for Health, Ruth A. Brenner, et al., 2015

Swimming is a life skill everyone should learn. And what better time to start than at a young age! Find a Swim School near you by visiting https://www.usswimschools.org/find-a-school/