Swimming is one of the most important life skills for a child to learn. Mine have all been taught to swim from a young age, and three of them still attend weekly swimming lessons at our local pool. E is currently on stage three, and at 83% so I anticipate that she will be moving up a class relatively soon. H is now in the ASA stage 8/9 competitive swimming class, he has essentially completed the 'Learn to Swim' framework but enjoys his weekly lessons and so we have decided to continue them for fun & exercise as well as to help prepare him for next year's school swimming gala. L has 1:1 lessons with a private tutor during public swimming sessions and is working at a stage 6/7 level.
The children adore swimming and every time they go, they grow in confidence and ability. On our recent family holiday to Corsica they were in the pool & sea every single day, they would have happily just spent all day every day swimming - just as they did when we went to Paris and the South of France last August. We took our Speedo Sea Squad Spinning Dive Toys from SimplySwim.co.uk and the kids had great fun diving in to retrieve them, as you can see in this Go Pro footage from Life As Alice.
Our local authority offers free swimming for children under 16 during the Summer holidays, all you have to do is register with the local centre for a membership card. I signed four out of five of my kids up and collected their cards last week, as A will be 17 next week she unfortunately no longer qualifies. I'm unsure what areas of the UK are offering this, but a quick Google or call to your local swimming pool should tell you - it's definitely worth checking out as it's a great way to keep the kids busy and active during the six week break from school, and older ones can go with their friends.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for H & E (A, J & L finished last Friday) so we are very much looking forward to a nice long rest before starting their new school year in September. We're hoping to tick off lots of things on our Summer Bucket List during the holidays, having plenty of fun and making many lovely Summer memories.
Swimming is so essential to learn. My 3 are having lessons and my girls have just moved up to stage 4. Those dive sticks are great, we have some and my kids spend their entire time in the pool on holiday diving for them. Have a good summer break.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Thanks
It is, a vital life skill imo. Aren't the dive sticks wonderful, hours of fun! enjoy your Summer.
DeleteSwimming is such an important thing to learn. I grew up on the coast and spent most of my childhood summers in the sea - no matter the temperature ;) #letkidsbekids
ReplyDeleteIt truly is. Haha, you're mad! The furthest I venture in to the sea is ankle deep here in the UK, maybe if we get a good August I might give it a try ;)
DeleteSwimming is so important! My younger two are in regular classes and my oldest has recently moved from classes to the swim team. It's such a vital life skill, fantastic exercise and great fun :) #letkidsbekids
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, I couldn't agree more!
DeleteI live in Miami, Florida so knowing how to swim is not only important but essential. It is great that your children are learning how to be confident strong swimmers. It could come in handy one day!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely could, water confidence is so important - it could make all the difference.
DeleteFree swimming for kids, what a great idea. My girls love swimming as did I as a child, it would be great to take them for free! #letkidsbekids
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely check out if it's available at your local pool and get them signed up, the perfect opportunity!
DeleteIt's great that kids can swim for free this summer - thanks for sharing the information :) #summerdays
ReplyDeleteDebbie
www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
You're very welcome! It's a shame that the councils don't advertise it better!
DeleteI agree that an ability to survive in the water is an indispensable skill. Our community activity center allows my daughters to swim without me since they're now 9. We haven't done that yet, but the fear is mine alone. They're strong swimmers and the lifeguards are excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking with #TwinklyTuesday.
It absolutely is, whether they're in open water or the pool I want them to have the ability to save themselves at least until help arrives and this way I know they have a fighting chance if - heaven forbid - they ever ended up in that situation!
DeleteSuch an important skill to learn, and nothing nicer than enjoying a lovely summery swim in a beautiful pool (or even the sea!). We would love it if you could add the #SummerDays badge to your post to help spread the word about out linky! Thanks for linking up.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, nothing better than a good swim! Have done now, sorry I usually link up from my phone then add the badges later when I get on the PC, all linked up now :)
DeleteI really must get my 8 year old back into swimming lessons. We pulled him out a few years ago as he had been at a standstill in ducklings 3&4 for over a year. Hopefully he will progress on quickly now he's older. thinks for linking up with #summerdays xxx
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good idea, good luck with getting him started again! :)
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