Water fun – children enjoy their time in the water
Little explorers learn something new every day – including during shared swimming and splashing sessions with the whole family. In the water, children have different sensory and movement experiences, that make their hearts beat faster.
They learn about water pressure, resistance and buoyancy – their understanding of water in general, and of it as an important resource, grows.
What makes the water so special for your little ones? When your children are in the cool water, the gentle waves feel like a massage on their own bodies. For them it is a magical bodily sensation and extremely impressive.
At the same time, they playfully get to know their physical abilities better. Playing and swimming in the water trains their sense of balance and is important for child development.
From a health perspective, water fun is also beneficial for your children. Splashing around as well as simple swimming lessons strengthen the muscles, immune system and stamina of your little water lovers.
Fun always comes first, though. Learning effects are therefore only achieved incidentally and subconsciously.
One thing you should always keep in mind, however: splashing and fooling around in the water and first attempts at swimming also have their downsides. Whether small puddles, rain barrels, ponds, swimming pools or the sea – wherever water is involved, small and larger emergencies can occur.
Hazards cannot be ruled out anywhere, which is why for each of your family outings with toddlers but also older and more experienced children should follow certain safety tips and bathing rules. Only in this way can you your family time can also be enjoyed to the fullest.
Hazards & emergency situations: Children drown silently
When talking about lots of water fun, it is necessary to also address the rather unpleasant and even sad moments. Bathing accidents and especially drowning are among the most common non-natural causes of death in children. Their curiosity for new and hidden things can quickly be their downfall. Especially with toddlers and primary school children, it is important to always keep an eye out, because they themselves can only very poorly assess their own limits and dangers.
Whether bathtubs or puddles – the water sources that initially seem small can become major hazards, because especially toddlers can hardly rescue themselves from these. Thus, swimming pools, paddling pools, lakes, seas as well as rain barrels and ponds are all highly potential sources of danger.
Our tip: If water is involved, special caution and a thorough consideration of all safety rules.
In primary school age, many children already learn to swim properly. Most parents then assume that the risk of drowning is therefore lower. But unfortunately this is not the case. Whether swimmer or non-swimmer: swimming ability generally says nothing about the risk of drowning. Even schoolchildren classified as able to swim can get into danger in the water. Especially when children overestimate themselves and can hardly act anymore when it's too late.
Also the 'Seepferdchen' badge says nothing about your children's actual swimming ability.The badge merely states that a child can keep themselves afloat over a 25-meter distance (short course in competitive swimming). However, if little swimmers romp around in the water for a longer period, they become tired and strength fades minute by minute – the risk of drowning increases. Swimming aids should also be considered insufficient support, because they can hinder independent rescue in emergency situations as additional ballast.
In bathing accidents and other emergencies, the children's age does not necessarily matter. As a rule, it is misjudgments by kids and parents as well as inadequate or non-existent first aid measures that lead to unfortunate outcomes. In addition, most people assume that drowning children attract attention by screaming. But the exact opposite is the case. Children who are drowning simply sink – without a scream, without much resistance and – as terrible as it sounds – like sinking stones.
In addition to the well-known form of drowning, two other forms are distinguished
Dry drowning:
Dry drowning is a kind of shock reaction of the body. If children – in this case especially toddlers – get their head under water, they lose all their hold. It triggers an immersion reflex in which no water enters the lungs.
The lungs remain dry, because the inhaled water causes a laryngospasm, i.e., a cramping of the vocal cords in the larynx.
Children suddenly develop shortness of breath and risk suffocating if they are not rescued from the water in time and given medical treatment.
Secondary drowning:
If water gets into children's lungs, even days later inflammation and edema may develop, which disrupt gas exchange and in the worst case can lead to death.
With symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, vomiting or fatigue children should be treated by a doctor immediately. It is advisable to have the kids examined by a doctor as a precaution even after a bathing accident that turned out well.
However, you don't need to panic with your little ones' wild water games. Both secondary and dry drowning occur extremely rarely.
If you notice that your own or other children are lying motionless in the water, you must act immediately. The faster you react, the better, because kids can hold themselves at the water surface for only 20 to 60 seconds in such a situation. In general, it is important to stay calm, place an emergency call and provide first aid.
These safety tips should be observed when children splash in the water
The time has come and your next trip to the swimming spot or shared splashing sessions in the garden are coming up. To fully enjoy the time together without major worries, it is advisable to go over certain behavioral and bathing rules with your little ones and for parents to heed the following tips.
Most importantly: Always keep small children in the bathtub, near any bodies of water, at the pool or at the beach and the like in sight! Water tubs and rain barrels in the garden should be secured with lockable lids. Garden ponds and home pools are also best protected from curious little non-swimmers by a fence.
You as parents can also take turns agreeing on who watches the children when. The fact is: Every unattended second can already be dangerous for your curious little ones. Only let your kids into waters where they feel comfortable. It's best to get them used to the water step by step. With small water games up to swimming lessons, you can increase slowly.
Teach your little ones to swim as early as possible. However, do not put any additional pressure on them. Sayings like “Now be brave” can unsettle children or push them to literally throw themselves into cold water. The crying then is loud — not to mention the fear of water. Children should get to know their own sense of safety and approach the water and learning to swim at their own pace.
Also never rely only on floatation aids such as armbands, rings, or seats, as these do not reliably protect against drowning. Also, explore shallow waters better together. In case of thunderstorms you should leave the water immediately. If you are outdoors and constantly exposed to strong sun, you should take regular breaks in the shade and be equipped with the optimal Sun protection for babies and toddlers ausgerüstet sein
Bathing rules
Only you yourselves ensure your safety when swimming and splashing in the water. Children may be reminded from time to time of dos and don'ts . But you as parents should also set a good example.
Only go swimming when you feel comfortable. Cool down and shower before you go into the water. If you are cold in the water, get out!
Never go into the water with a full or completely empty stomach.
Children do not just go into the water without informing their parents.
Non-swimmers should only go into the water up to their belly.
Non-swimmers should initially use the non-swimmer pool – until they have successfully completed their first attempts at swimming and gained a secure feeling to explore other waters.
Do not run in the pool area!
Call for help if you are really in danger and able to do so. Also offer your help to others if you notice they are in an emergency.
Do not overestimate yourselves or your strength.
Do not bathe where ships and boats travel. Also do not play around under slides or diving areas.
Swimming during a thunderstorm is life-threatening. Leave the water immediately and seek a safe building.
Keep the water and its surroundings clean; throw waste into the trash bin.
Inflatable swim aids do not provide reliable safety in the water.
Only jump into the water when it is clear and deep enough.
Do not submerge others or push them into the water. No one should be forced to do things they are not comfortable with.
Observe age restrictions and safety instructions on water slides. Everyone slides one at a time and feet first. Leave the area under the slide immediately afterwards.
My child doesn't like being in the water: How to successfully get them used to it
So that children can one day become confident swimmers and really explore all kinds of waters, it is important to get them used to the water at a young age. For that they do not have to immediately go fully underwater with their whole body.
Especially non-swimmers who are more wary of water can, through water games, relaxed bathing moments in the bathtub or even wet garden games gain interest in splashing and ultimately in swimming.
In general: To prevent fear of water from becoming entrenched, you as parents should act in time and try to playfully teach your kids to enjoy splashing and water in general.
This also brings fundamental benefits for further child development. Children who are introduced to water at a younger age learn to swim more easily and more readily.
Parents also lead by example. If you are enthusiastic about shared splashing and swimming moments, this rubs off on your children. Babies in particular can quickly be won over by water.
With rubber duckies and co. it's even more fun. Also the gross motor skills and fine motor skills benefit from water activities.
If you don't dare to handle your little ones' water familiarization yourself, opt for swimming courses that take care of it. In addition to baby swimming there are also other courses that are specifically aimed at getting children used to the water.
Once your little water mice have slowly got used to the water, gained (self-)confidence and come to know the element better as an important resource, nothing stands in the way of their swimming career.
Learning to swim
Every child can learn to swim and should! A good teacher or mom and dad – if they bring patience and knowledge – are happy to help train the right movements and foster a love of the water.
Whether swimming lessons in courses or rather with you as parent-trainers – your children are welcome to have a say in how, when and where they want to learn to swim.
Baby swimming and water acclimation courses are offered from as early as three months offered. The focus here is, of course, not directly on swimming.
Nevertheless, such playfully designed lessons offer great opportunities to steer your own children toward a swimming career.
Between the ages of four and five your little water mice have coordination skills that enable them to learn the basic techniques of swimming.
You can also remember the following rule of thumb here: If children can ride a bike, they are also capable of learning to swim.
In a swimming course, future swimmers initially get used to the breaststroke without flotation aids and the first jumps into the water .
Once they have successfully gotten past that, they move on to the Seepferdchen badge. However, that should only be seen as a motivation badge. Your kids are only considered 'safe swimmers' once they have taken the Bronze badge obtained.
Which swimming aids are best suited for my child?
Swimming aids should never primarily be understood as reliable safety devices. They can indeed support learning to swim, but do not guarantee complete safety. They can sometimes cause emergency situations or make rescue operations in such situations more difficult.
So, in general they should be seen as a kind of 'water toys'. According to TÜV, swimming aids should definitely comply with a specific testing standard.Marking EN 13138-1 This indicates that your swimming aids comply with the established safety standards.
Also the GS quality seal should be included on the packaging. Also make sure that they have no edges and are equipped with inflation valves with one-way caps and at least two air chambers equipped.
Swimming aids for babies (from 1 year)
Swim seats help babies from six months to get used to the water. Parents should, however, always support with both hands.
Arm floaties can be used by children from one to six years old . Upper-arm swimming aids serve to keep the head always above the water. Because they restrict arm movements a little, they are more suitable for splashing than for swimming.
Swimming aids for toddlers (for 2-year-olds & older)
From the age of two may neoprene and polyester life jackets with buoyancy elements be used. However, only during boat trips!
Swim belts are suitable for children from the age of three.They consist of several buoyancy elements, which are tied around the waist. That makes the belt very safe, as it cannot sink. Also the freedom of arms and legs for swimming
is provided.
Swimming aids for children (from 4 years)Pool noodles are about 1.50 meters long and consist of foam. They can be used by any child, regardless of size and weight, to provide buoyancy..
Kickboards serve children as a good training aid for the leg kick.
