With Winter just around the corner, it is very tempting to cancel all activities and hibernate from all forms of life only to pop out again when the warm weather returns.
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However, even if you decide to forego all outdoor activities through the Winter, thankfully, swimming lessons is indoors, involves warm water, physical activity and fun all in one!

Unfortunately, swimming is often perceived to be a warm weather activity which results in any progress being ‘put on hold’ until re-entering the water during the summer months. However, it is well known that those who swim year round progress quicker than those who don’t.

​So as we consider a “will we, wont we” return in the cooler months of term 2 & 3, lets check out the benefits of continuing and making swim lessons a year round activity!

1. Swimming skills need constant reinforcement or they can easily regress, particularly in the under 7 age groups. These children are just learning to develop muscle memory needed to carry out essential skills and need constant re-enforcement to develop long term skill retention

2. In a sense, Winter swim lessons are more important than Summer lessons as they prepare children for the beach/pool days when the warm weather arrives and does not involve playing “catch up”. You may liken this to frantically trying to lose weight and become fit again when the spring weather arrives! How much easier would it have been to achieve this over the Winter months by staying active and avoiding an overload of comfort foods!

3. Investment in lessons over Summer months is wasted if children regress and need to repeat skills. Children lose their “feel for the water” both physiologically and psychologically. A break can result in a decrease in confidence on return and can be overwhelming for some children.

4. Maintains fitness: While many other physical activities are carried out in the cool weather, swimming can allow children to maintain fitness in the comfort of an indoor environment and warm water. Swimming also works every major muscle group through a full range of motion while being gentle on joints. Regular exercise helps keep the body, including the immune system strong.

5. Parent and baby classes are a fantastic opportunity to enjoy 1 on 1 time with your baby and bond through fun activities. While it’s often difficult to get to a playground on the colder days, swimming is accessible in all conditions.

6. Helps develop social and cognitive skills. A 4 year study by Griffith University demonstrated swimmers have more advanced language, literacy and numeracy skills as well as increased physical abilities than non-swimmers. The study showed that these children may be better repaired for school.

​7. Although not as likely to be around water in the Winter months, water safety is a year round concern. The risks of drowning and safety around water don’t go away during the colder months of the year.

As for illness, a child is no more likely to catch a cold from swimming during Winter than during Summer. If a child’s immune system is strong, swimming in Winter will not be detrimental to their physical well being. 
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As a matter of comfort, always ensure your child is dry and warm quickly afterwards. Heat is lost more quickly through the head so wrap hair in a towel or warm hat or beanie!

With pool water being kept at a toasty 32 degrees for the comfort of all children, swim lessons are a great way to get the kids out of the house, stay active and have a great time over those chilly Winter months.