Swimming lessons can save a child’s life!

One of the best ways to prevent a drowning incident is to teach kids how to swim. It sounds simple, but the sooner you teach your child how to properly swim, the safer they will be in bodies of water. But how young is too young? Arthur Benjamin shares his advice.

Teaching a child how to swim can make a world of difference. Not only will he/she be better prepared in the water, but they’ll also have fun, too! Although it may be a basic skill, knowing how to properly swim is something even some adults don’t know how to do… all because they haven’t taken the time to learn the proper techniques. To say the least, this can have some pretty serious consequences — for children or adults — when in any body of water.

Like many things, the younger you learn how to swim, the better off you will be. That’s because like walking or talking, the skills we learn as children often wind up feeling like second nature. But how young is too young?

What is the best age to teach a child how to swim?

Experts in swimming lessons for children, the YMCA allows children to enroll in swimming lessons at as young as 6 months. Realistically, you can learn how to swim at any age. But in general, it is best to introduce a child to swimming techniques between the ages of 6 months and 4 years.

(If you’re an adult who still doesn’t know how to swim — there’s no shame in it! More resources on swimming lessons and drowning prevention tips soon to follow from Arthur Benjamin, Founder of Action to End Drowning.)