YMCA of MA Getting Children Ready for Safe Swimming Season

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

YMCAs across Massachusetts are encouraging children and their parents to explore the benefits of swimming and to be safe during the swim season.

As part of National Water Safety Month in May, Massachusetts YMCAs encourage parents to take an active role in their child’s safety. The following are safety tips to practice when in and around the water:

Only swim when and where there is a lifeguard on duty; never swim alone.
Adults should constantly and actively watch their children.
Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Parents or guardians of young children should be within an arm’s reach.
Children and adults should not engage in breath holding activities.

Swimming is a fun and enjoyable activity for children and adults alike, and it’s an easy way to stay physically active and improve strength, flexibility and stamina. YMCAs across the state are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible for everyone to swim and learn water safety practices.

In addition to learning lifesaving water safety skills, children can increase their physical activity by swimming. Swimming also motivates children to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal orientation, and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem. It also teaches life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, so that children can learn how to work well with teammates and coaches and how to deal with winning and losing.

To learn more about the swim programs in your community, please visit http://www.ymcaofcm.org/swim-lessons/