The Times Australia
The Times Australia

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Regular lessons have paused – but your kids should still practise their swimming this summer

  • Written by Amy Peden, NHMRC Research Fellow, School of Population Health & co-founder UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney

Many swimming schools have temporarily closed for the summer holidays. But this doesn’t mean you should take a break from helping your kids learn how to swim.

What can you do during this period to keep your children’s swimming skills up to scratch?

Summer dangers

Remember, summer is a peak time for drowning. Australia records its highest number of drowning deaths in the warmer months and tragically, 134 lives were lost last summer[1].

Risk is highest at this time, as people head to the water to seek relief from the heat[2]. The school and public holidays[3] also mean people go to areas they are not familiar with.

Children in particular are disproportionately impacted, with their risk of drowning doubling during school holidays[4], compared to term time.

How to stay safe

Adults need to actively supervise young children around water. This means being within arms’ reach in the water with children under five and older if your children are non or weak swimmers.

Supervision can relax as children grow and improve their swimming. But the safest place for parents is in the water having fun with the kids.

It’s also important to remember “active supervision” means focusing all your attention on your children (so no mobile phones or multi-tasking[5]).

Along with pool fencing[6] and adults learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), learning how to swim[7] is a key strategy to reduce the risk of drowning.

This means children have the skills and knowledge to keep them safe in different water environments and scenarios.

A mother and child sit near a pram at St Kilda beach in Melbourne. Small figures play near the water.
Focus all your attention on your children around water. Diego Fedele/ AAP

Any swimming you do helps

Research shows any activity (even informal play) in any type of water can make a positive difference to swimming skills.

My 2016 Australian study[8] with Royal Life Saving Society colleagues showed any time spent in the water[9] – but ideally at least once a fortnight – is linked to higher swimming skills in children (5–12 years) already enrolled in swimming lessons.

Children with a home pool have also been found to be better swimmers[10] than those without a pool.

Although we don’t exactly know why, this is likely due to the increased opportunity to informally practise their swimming skills. It may also be that parents are more conscientious about lessons.

Talk about water safety as well

To understand what children should be able to do by a particular age, check the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework[11].

This can give you ideas of things to practise and a reminder of a holistic approach to learning to swim, which includes personal survival and rescue skills. For example, by six, it is expected every Australian child should be able to enter and exit shallow water unassisted, float and recover to a standing or secure position and move continuously through the water for five metres.

Talking about water safety with your kids could include setting and reinforcing rules around the water, such as “no going near the water without an adult” or “no climbing on the pool fence”.

If you’re at the beach, always prioritise one that’s patrolled[12], and explain why we swim between the flags. If lifeguards can’t see you, no one can help you should you get into trouble.

A lifeguard watches swimmers at a public pool.
By six, every Australian child should be able to float and swim for five metres. Chameleonseye/Shutterstock[13]

Think about all types of water

With lifeguards and a controlled environment, local pools are statistically the safest places[14] to swim.

But it is important for children to experience different swimming environments, including cold water and currents. For two decades[15], rivers have been the leading location for drowning in Australia.

This is why enjoying the water safely with your children this summer is a great opportunity to practise their swimming skills. Plenty of “Christmas swims[16]” (as Bluey calls them) and water play will mean you’ll see a difference when kids head back to swimming lessons for Term 1 next year.

References

  1. ^ 134 lives were lost last summer (www.royallifesaving.com.au)
  2. ^ relief from the heat (injuryprevention.bmj.com)
  3. ^ public holidays (www.mdpi.com)
  4. ^ doubling during school holidays (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  5. ^ mobile phones or multi-tasking (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  6. ^ pool fencing (www.cochrane.org)
  7. ^ learning how to swim (www.who.int)
  8. ^ 2016 Australian study (scholarworks.bgsu.edu)
  9. ^ any time spent in the water (scholarworks.bgsu.edu)
  10. ^ better swimmers (scholarworks.bgsu.edu)
  11. ^ National Swimming and Water Safety Framework (www.royallifesaving.com.au)
  12. ^ one that’s patrolled (beachsafe.org.au)
  13. ^ Chameleonseye/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  14. ^ safest places (www.royallifesaving.com.au)
  15. ^ two decades (www.royallifesaving.com.au)
  16. ^ Christmas swims (www.bluey.tv)

Read more https://theconversation.com/regular-lessons-have-paused-but-your-kids-should-still-practise-their-swimming-this-summer-245034

What are caretaker conventions and how do they limit governments during election periods?

Now that the election has been called for May 3, parliament has been dissolved and the caretaker government pe...

The Times Features

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Benefits of Getting an Online Medical Certificate

Everyone has experienced it. Rather than taking a break, you drag yourself to the doctor's office, where you have to wait in lengthy lines, and then you have to hurry to get that...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping