Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for people of all age groups. Considering its amazing mental and physical health benefits, all children should be encouraged to swim. What could be a better way of making swimming an integral part of life than by installing swimming pools in schools?

Why swimming is important for children?

Student life is the most vital phase for a child as it impacts their whole life. The growing body and mind of a child requires regular exercise and swimming is one of the most interesting ones to learn. Childhood is also the best time to acquire new skills and swimming is a life skill that acquaints us with water.

Studies have revealed that adults usually require more time and effort to master this skill. So, why not learn to stay afloat during school life?

There are many benefits of swimming and that explains why institutions are including it in their school curriculum. Would you like to explore the compelling reasons why you should encourage your child to get into the pool? Then scroll down to discover how swimming builds skills, health, and confidence.

What value do swimming pools in schools add?

Student life is a beautiful phase and every aspect of it should be cherished. It’s during this time that an individual develops routines that they’ll follow for decades.

Yes, initially most kids are intimidated by the idea of being in water. But once they overcome this fear, there’s nothing that they enjoy more.

As school is a place children go every week and spend majority of their time, it only makes sense to have pools in schools.

According to experienced swimmers, these are the perks of sending your child to a school that facilitates swimming:

1. Enhances physical health

‘Is swimming good for health?’ is a common question that non-swimmers ask before taking the dive of faith!

Yes, swimming is among the best full-body exercises. It’s evident that while swimming, shoulder muscles constantly work. But you’ll be surprised to learn that many other muscle groups develop when we swim. For instance, the abdominal muscles help a swimmer turn and rotate.

Glutes and hamstrings, on the other hand, maintain balance. Some other muscles that play a role in swimming are the calves, pectoralis major, deltoids, and latissimus dorsi. So, this type of resistance training is superb growth of muscles in children.

Swimming is again great for respiratory health and cardiovascular health as it’s an aerobic exercise. It increases the lung capacity by training the body to use oxygen efficiently. It speeds up the heartbeat and prevents the cholesterol levels from rising. Naturally, it decreases the risk of respiratory ailments and heart diseases.

Swimming for 30 minutes per day can promote undisturbed sleep at night. Hence, one who swims stays healthy and fit. So, by including swimming in the curriculum, schools can ensure that their students are blessed with good health and sharp mind.

2. Boosts confidence

At first, swimming appears to be an ordeal for children. But as they get good at it, their confidence keeps growing. After picking up the basic skill, their chances of learning new techniques also increase. Naturally, they feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Additionally, obesity in children is a major concern and regular swimming can keep that at bay. Just like adults, children who stay in shape feel positive and self-assured.

3. Time management

Competitive swimming is a sports activity that makes students understand the value of time. They understand the necessity of maintaining routines and setting priorities. Hence, swimming practice is highly recommended for students who struggle to manage their time efficiently.

4. Improves psychological fitness

Anxiety and depression disorders are common problems in teenagers, affecting nearly 15% of adolescents globally.

The rhythmic breathing and movement of swimming have a calming effect on our mind, thus bettering mental health in several ways.

It’s scientifically proven that the body releases endorphins when swimming. If there’s pent-up anger or frustration, the tension can be relieved by simply swimming.

5. It’s fun

Besides its health benefits, swimming is a fulfilling hobby, especially in the summers. It’ll be a fantastic addition to any child’s life. Summers are unbearable and at school, children can be extremely exhausted and dehydrated after playing outdoor games.

Swimming is so refreshing that they will feel rejuvenated after splashing around in the cool waters. Also, as opposed to relishing ice cream and sugary beverages, isn’t swimming a health-friendly way to beat the summer heat?

6. Ensures safety

9% of the world’s injury-related demises result from drowning. So, it goes beyond saying that having basic swimming skills can save the lives of many people.

Swimming pools in schools raise awareness, making students aware of tides, underwater obstacles, and currents. A swimmer can also identify signs of accidental drowning and quickly rescue the person. Moreover, you can remain stress-free when your child goes kayaking or snorkeling.

7. Low-impact activity

Swimming is ideal for most people, even pregnant women and people with muscular dystrophy. That’s because unlike weightlifting, swimming does not exert much pressure on joints. So, this low-impact workout is fantastic for children as the chances of getting injuries are very low.

8. Teaches teamwork

From an early age, children should be taught to socialize and swimming can be a potent tool for fostering teamwork.

In swimming, a classic instance of teamwork is a relay race which is all about achieving a collective goal. During relay races, the victory of a team depends on the performance of each swimmer. So, it becomes the shared responsibility of every teammate as they cannot win without coordination and cooperation.

Then there’s synchronized swimming which demands synchronization among team members. When students do synchronized swimming, they pay attention to every move of their partner. That’s how they deliver a cohesive performance.

Even during regular practice sessions, students cheer for each other and celebrate their friends’ successes. So, swimming with their classmates will give ample scope for kids to develop strong friendships.

9. Educational value

In schools, swimming is not just a sport but a kind of physical education. It equips students with helpful skills like stamina, discipline, and perseverance. Being in the water has wonderful effects on brain health. It improves focus and memory, making students conscious learners.  Some schools also host swimming competitions that stimulate community involvement. So, the educational worth of swimming cannot be undermined.

10. Improves academic performance

Every person should have a balanced lifestyle, especially a child. Although there isn’t any direct correlation, there is a connection between academic excellence and physical activity. Multiple research studies have highlighted the positive effect of swimming on the academic proficiency of swimming.

As physical fitness improves one’s cognitive function, it can make your kid a better learner in many ways. As swimming teaches us the importance of taking challenges, kids can use this quality to deal with subjects that they find tough.

Regular swimmers also become good multitaskers. This skill can come in handy when they take class notes, complete pending tasks, and participate in classroom discussions at the same time. In addition, as swimming betters an individual’s situational awareness, young learners won’t face issues handling sensory learning.

11. Future opportunities

Learning to swim during student life can open various doors for a child on a professional and personal level. A swimmer can participate in a variety of thrilling activities like yachting, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, and scuba diving.

If swimming truly fascinates them, they can build a thriving career in the fitness industry. Some popular choices are swim instructors, competitive swimmers, and lifeguard. Aquatic therapist is another exciting job that can offer a handsome salary to a skilled person.

Several military agencies prefer recruiting proficient swimmers for specific roles. So, students who grow up to be passionate about swimming can easily transform the hobby into a career.

Swimming pools safety in schools

Now that we have established the significance of swimming pools in schools, it’s still natural to be worried about your child’s safety in water.

Schools can take the following steps to keep all children safe in and around the pool:

• Establishing strict rules in terms of pre and post-swim hygiene, pool etiquette, and appropriate swimwear
• Wearing sunscreen to avoid sunburn if it’s an outdoor pool
• Lining the surrounding areas and pool floors with non-slip materials
• Providing ladders with handrails at the deep ends
• Discouraging children from running or chasing each other near the pool
• Never permitting students to use the pool without adult supervision

Final thoughts

DWPS Barasat is building a new sports complex that will be functional by 2026. The campus will have its very own swimming pool and lessons included as a part of the curriculum.

When it comes to educational facilities, the necessity of swimming pools in schools cannot be undermined. The presence of a swimming pool inside the school campus will vastly contribute to the overall well-being and development of students.