4 Reasons Why Children and Pre-teens Should Swim

Swimming is a fantastic activity for people of all ages; children and pre-teens aged 3 - 12 years old are no exception! Introducing your kids swimming in water early on comes with a host of benefits that support their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. From boosting their motor skills to fostering confidence, swimming can provide a fun and engaging way to support your pre-teens’ growth. Before sending your children or pre-teens to swim class, let’s explore why they should visit the swimming pool. Here are four compelling reasons why children and pre-teens should swim and how this activity can set a strong foundation for a lifetime of health and wellness.

Why Should Children and Pre-teens Swim?

1. Improving confidence and social skills

Did you know that swimming can improve your confidence? Yes, it does! Swimming or being in the water helps children feel secure as they gradually learn to swim, leading to a feeling of accomplishment and independence which boosts their self-esteem.

When being in the water, the children will be introduced to different possibilities of swimming styles, making them feel confident to try new movements. When children feel comfortable in the pool, they start to associate the water with trust and security while swimming. Wild Wild Wet provides an ideal setting for children to build their swimming confidence and improve their social skills. Through interactions with other kids at the park, they can form meaningful friendships while having fun with water activities.

2. Enhancing coordination and cognitive functions

Swimming requires constant body movement to move as well as keeping one afloat. While children and pre-teens can be trained and exercise on dry land, swimming offers them a unique opportunity to develop essential cognitive abilities in a supportive, low-gravity and fun environment! Swimming can help train and improve coordination in children and pre-teens as they have to coordinate their body movements to navigate the waters and remain buoyant. 

In addition to cognitive development, their brains work to establish the coordination between their movements and the sensory feedback they receive once they are in the water. This nurtures mental sharpness, perfect for both body and mind.

3. Strengthening joints and muscles

The water can be your friend. The consistency and buoyancy of water can support the children’s weight, allowing them to move freely and engage in strengthening their joints and muscles without placing excessive strain on their developing bodies. This full-body workout is particularly beneficial for building strength in their core, arms, legs, and even neck muscles, all of which are crucial for physical milestones like walking and running.

The benefit of swimming is that water activities are gentle for children and pre-teens. Hence, it puts less strain or pressure on the joints compared to weight-bearing activities on land, reducing the risk of injury. This allows them to stretch and flex their bodies without any harsh impacts as compared to activities such as running or jumping on hard surfaces.

4. Avoiding water-related accidents

As parents or guardians, we would want our children to be safe and sound. This is the same for when your children are in the water. In order to avoid water-related accidents, one should be able to muster the confidence and master in-water skills to avoid any unwanted circumstances. 

Here at Wild Wild Wet, we prioritise everyone’s safety, including children. Our place is designed to be safe, especially for children to have fun and practise swimming. We encourage parents to have an enjoyable time with their little ones, having a splashing fun while being in a secure environment. Worry not as we have free life jackets for adults and children, baby water carriers and puddle jumpers for babies! Our expertly trained lifeguards are always on alert, ensuring safety at all times while you have fun!

Swimming is more than just a fun activity for children and pre-teens — it's a powerful tool for enhancing their overall development. By introducing them to the water early, you’re helping to build their strength, improve coordination, boost cognitive skills, and develop confidence in a nurturing environment. These early experiences in the pool can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of physical fitness and water safety. So, whether it's for health benefits or bonding moments, swimming is an excellent way to support your children's growth and well-being. Ready to dive in? Visit Wild Wild Wet and enjoy fun water rides, interactive play areas, and a safe environment for honing those swimming skills!