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The one question my children asked consistently throughout lockdown (apart from, what can we eat?!) was – When can we go back to swimming?
Swim England reported that 5 million swimming lessons were lost during lockdown and parents have been urged to prioritise swimming to help them catch up.
There’s no problem with that in our house! They were both desparate to go back and I was excited to see them in the pool again. I have always valued the water confidence I learned as a child and knew I wanted my two to gain the same.
We have been going to Little Aqua for nearly 6 years now and it has been one of the best investments we have made. James and Amalia are far beyond their peers in terms of swimming skills but just as importantly, it has given them so much more. Here are 7 reasons why we’re so happy to be back at swimming:
1. It’s fun!
Ok, let’s start with the obvious one – they love it! They love jumping, splashing, diving to the bottom and going down the slide but just as much, they love learning new strokes and doing lengths.
2. Learning to listen
Anyone with an 8 and 5 year old will know that listening is not their strong point! But they learn so many important skills interacting with their swimming teachers and with only two of them in a class, it’s all tailored to their needs.
3. Sibling bonding
James and Amalia now have their lessons together which is not only really convenient, but is a lovely chance for them to have a shared activity they both enjoy and spend quality time together.
4. Strength and stamina
It’s interesting to see that their stamina for swimming lengths has definitely decreased over lockdown. I have no doubt of the physical benefits swimming has brought them and am also certain it has helped James’ lung capacity and contributed to his asthma becoming less severe.
5. Perseverance and progress
Every kid loves a certificate and badge but beyond scaling the levels, they can see progress every week. They also learn that things that might seem impossible to begin with (hello, butterfly stroke!) can be tackled with steady work and perseverance.
6. Water safety
As a parent, the element of water safety is obviously a huge benefit of swimming. It allows us to worry less on holiday and feel happy that we are setting them up with an essential skill for life.
7. Building confidence
Swimming lessons give them confidence in the water and help them enjoy new water based activities with ease but they also help them feel confident trying new things and developing skills on land.
What do you love about swimming?
If you are in the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire area then take a look at Little Aqua‘s lessons and also their brilliant crash courses this summer.
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