RESEARCH

Researchers have reported that infant/toddler swimming lessons can and will increase physical, emotional, and social growth.  The weightless environment provides a perfect environment for freedom of movement that cannot be had in any other physical activity.

Cognitive development is increased due to the greater amount of stimulation uniquely offered through swim lessons.  We have found that infants and toddlers who are in swim lessons routinely reach developmental milestones at younger ages and with greater proficiency than the national averages project. This also holds true for children 12 months and above.  The effects of swim lessons for older children vary from increased levels of motor development (both gross and fine), and coordination to greater confidence and levels of concentration in school studies as well as other sports.

DROWNING STATISTICS

*All statistics provided by the CDC (www.CDC.gov)

How big is the problem?

  • In 2007, there were 3,443 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) in the United States, averaging ten deaths per day. An additional 496 people died from drowning in boating-related incidents.
  • More than one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger.1 For every child who dies from drowning, another four received emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
  • More than 55% of drowning victims treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer for higher levels of care (compared to a hospitalization rate of 3-5% for all unintentional injuries).1 These injuries can be severe.
  • Nonfatal drownings can cause brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning (e.g., permanent vegetative state).
  • Children: Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates. In 2007, among children 1 to 4 years old who died from an unintentional injury, almost 30% died from drowning.1 Fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years.

 

WHY SO YOUNG?

Swimming is the one skill you can use your entire life.  There is no minimum or maximum age or ability level for learning to swim.  And it can be a bonding experience that a parent can share with a child as young as 2 months old without a lot of training.  At The Smart Fish Method, we believe that aquatic safety should be taught using  concepts, strategies, and techniques that you can use at home.  Small steps taught with great love can change a young child’s world and there are no smaller steps than those of a child.

As your baby grows, they will learn to roll over before they crawl and crawl before they can walk.  Smart Fish Method teachers use the same approach in teaching infants and toddlers.

At The Smart Fish Method, these small steps are employed in the water where we will teach your baby to: