Why you should enroll your children in swim lessons

As a pediatrician, I've counseled countless families about the importance of swim safety. But as a mom, I've lived it, from the nervous first splashes to the proud, cannonball “I did it!” moments, Learning to swim isn’t just a childhood milestone — it’s a lifesaving skill, confidence booster, and a path to lifelong health and joy.

- Hailey Nelson, Tribune News Service

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that families provide multiple layers of protection around children to help prevent drowning. One of those key layers? Teaching your child how to swim. Learning to swim is like learning to ride a bike: a rite of passage that opens up a world of adventure. As a parent, watching your child go from clinging to the pool wall to confidently kicking across the water is nothing short of magical. And as a pediatrician, I know those lessons lay down the foundation for fitness, safety, and confidence that lasts a lifetime.

Water has an almost magnetic pull for kids.

Whether they're jumping in, splashing, or simply watching things float and sink, water fascinates them. Swim lessons are a wonderful way to safely nurture that natural curiosity and teach children how to interact with water in a respectful, enjoyable and secure way. Each year, far too many children lose their lives to drowning. Often, it happens when a child wanders and encounters a pool or other body of water without supervision. Knowing how to swim adds a critical layer of protection. Even young children can learn basic water safety skills that could save their lives. As a mom, that stat isn’t just clinical — it’s personal. We all want our children to explore and enjoy life. Swim lessons help make that possible safely.