It is a sad fact that every year, we hear stories in the national press about young men and women who lose their lives through drowning - and very often it is subsequently revealed that they could not swim or were insufficiently confident in deep water.

      Leisure-wise, swimming is not for everyone.  However the ability to stay afloat is vital for personal safety - hence the requirements of the National Curriculum which state:

By the end of Year 6, all pupils must be taught to swim with a mandatory requirement that they can swim at least 25 metres unaided, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue.

FACT

Those introduced to swimming before the age of four are up to 88% less likely to drown in later life.

FACT

Safety isn't the only benefit of knowing how to swim!  In water, both sides of the brain activate at the same time, which does not happen in most other forms of play.  Neurologists say that swimming consistently activates bilateral brain coordination - the firing of both left and right hemispheres at rates much higher than any form of land-based activity.

Each stroke requires parts of the body to work together: right arm left leg, left arm right leg.  This 'crossing' builds the same neural pathways that facilitate reading, writing and even emotional regulation.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Those who swim regularly before the age of five also show significant advantages in language development, mathematical reasoning, physical coordination and awareness.

Interested in accelerated learning for a daughter who is less confident in water?  Click on the link to find out about free coaching during school holidays:

More amazing food!

Mrs Fowler

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