Toddlers Research Paper

Home swimming pools, lakes and streams can be dangerous, but swimming lesson for toddlers may save lives. Learn how the American Association of Pediatrics changed its policies. Additionally, read how parents participate in the swimming lessons and what emergency maneuvers toddlers learn.

Swimming lessons for toddlers

Of all childhood accidents, drownings and near-drownings are most likely to mar warm-weather fun. Contrary to what you might expect, most drownings happen within a few feet of adult supervision, with toddlers more likely to drown in bathtubs, toilets, fountains or fish tanks than in swimming pools or ocean waters. Parents look to swimming lessons to protect against drowning without realizing that toddlers cannot yet execute …show more content…
People once believed that all human babies and toddlers instinctively held their breath when submerged. They also thought that babies were born able to swim. For the most part, babies and toddlers will move their arms and legs while submerged but cannot swim. Babies cannot hold their head above water.
Before 2009, the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) held that children younger than four could not benefit from siwmming lessons. One reason for their position was a concern that children would lose their fear of water, resulting in more drownings. However, studies conducted by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development dispelled some of those fears and the AAP relaxed its policy in 2010. Toddler swim classes are now part of suggested pool and water safety measures that include pool covers and alarms, fencing, personal floatation devices and adult supervision. These beginning swim classes get children comfortable with the water while teaching parents how to handle their children in water, how to set boundaries in and near water, and how to help children find air. At the same time, toddlers learn about submersion, breath control and where to find air around a swimming …show more content…
With all of the new sounds and sensations, some new students may balk at first, but the instructors show parents how to ease their children into the water without trauma. Parents then help toddlers learn to tolerate submersion and how to control their breath. Floating comes later but may be the most important aspect of toddler safety lessons. Though toddlers cannot learn swim strokes, they can learn to roll onto their backs to avoid drowning. Once students can control their breath and float, they can wait for help to arrive in an emergency. Eventually, they can also use simple strokes to paddle to the pool's edge. Swimming classes may save lives but the AAP reminds parents that toddlers swim classes cannot be the only safety measure you use. An adult should be within arms reach at all times and, if you have not already done so, install four-sided fencing around your home pool with an alarm on its self-locking

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