It's important to teach water safety to children so they know what to do when faced with an unforeseen situation. — 123rf.com
Every year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 236,000 people die from drowning worldwide, with toddlers aged one to four topping the numbers, followed by children aged five to nine.
Cases of children drowning at home is ranked second after road traffic injuries, with some 500 fatalities each year.
The gravity of the issue saw the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in 2021, declaring July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day, to pay tribute to lives that were lost due to drowning and to increase knowledge on safety in and around water.
Closer to home, drowning cases are more frequent during long breaks and school holidays, often turning joyful family excursions into heartbreaking tragedies.
One of the ways to break the cycle is by inculcating water safety skills in children.
Seremban-based Borneo Wave Swim Academy owner Adihan Beltie, 36 says water safety education is crucial for children. “It’s even more critical as Malaysians love water activities, in seas, waterfalls and rivers, even swimming pools,”
Adihan says a good swimming programme should teach young students the do’s and don’ts around water and the danger water holds, in addition to basic swimming and floating skills.
“And if they’re in an unforeseen situation, they will be able to handle it calmly and avoid drowning,” he adds.
Tan says water safety lessons promotes a healthy respect and appreciation for water. — TAN JIAN YONG
Happy Fish Swim School founder Tan Jian Yong, 37 says teaching children about water safety – including how to swim – can equip them with the knowledge and skills to be safer around water, which can save lives.
“These lessons extend beyond the swimming pool. They can apply this at a friend’s pool party or during a family beach vacation. It also promotes a healthy respect and appreciation for water, which they will carry into adulthood,” says Tan.
Educating children
For mother Ziana Zainal, learning to swim is a good way to educate children to identify and avoid risky behaviours in water as swimming involves discipline and a set of routines.
“Most of the time, kids get excited when they’re in the water and often get carried away,” says the 44-year-old stay-at-home mother from Seremban.
She sent her sons Ziyad Siddiqi Khan M Izuan Khan, 14 and Ali Farouqi Khan, nine when they both six.
Ziana and her husband M Izuan Khan with their boys, Ziyad Siddiqi Khan (second from right) and Ali Farouqi Khan. — ZIANA ZAINAL
“I initially just wanted them to know how to be safe in and around water. But the boys have gained more than that. They have more self-discipline now; they respect the rules and know their limits. In fact, Ziyad has started joining swimming competitions since last year,” she says.
While it is still too early for Deva Leela Devadasan to see her daughter Helena Jacklyn John participating in a swim meet, she is happy with the progress her six-year-old daughter has shown.
“From someone who was too frightened to be in a pool with water level higher than her knees, she now – with the aid of a float – dares to swim at deeper ends of the pool. This is just after three months of joining the swimming class,” says the 50-year-old chief clerk from Kuala Lumpur.
As Helena gets more comfortable in water, Deva says she and her husband hope their child can find swimming to be a stress-relieving activity, especially if she is overwhelmed with school and extra classes.
“And eventually, if she wants to pursue this further, we will encourage her to train seriously and be part of a swimming team,” she adds.
Hong's children, (from left) Asher, Jana, Kayla and Jerrell See. Jerrell will start his swimming lessons soon and all his older siblings can swim. — DORCAS SEE
Basis for other sports
Mother-of-four Dorcas Hong from Petaling Jaya had a secondary goal when she first sent her three kids for swimming classes.
“Not only can they swim confidently now, they also have better stamina and fitness to pursue other sports like squash and gymnastics,” says the 39-year-old stay-at-home mother.
Her second daughter Jana See, 11 has stopped her swimming classes to pursue rhythmic gymnastics, while her third child, Asher, seven, who is now in his second year of swimming programme, is into squash. Her eldest, Kayla, 13 prefers swimming even though she no longer goes for classes.
“Based on my experience, swimming doesn’t only train them to be good swimmers, it is also a good form of exercise, away from gadgets,” Hong says.
She plans to send her youngest son, Jerrel who will turn two in July for a swimming programme next year.
Adihan believes the right age to start sending kids for swimming classes is when they can understand instructions.
“It is good to start them young as swimming is good for their sensory and cognitive development,” he adds.
Tan says Happy Fish offers programmes for babies as young as four months old. The lesson helps make them feel comfortable in water and teaches basic water survival skills, like floating on their back.
“Every child is different, so it’s important to ensure that swimming lessons provide a positive experience for the child,” he says.
Deva Leela (right) with her daughter Helena Jacklyn John, who is slowly gaining confidence in water. — DEVA LEELA DEVADASAN
How to choose swim school
Here are some tips parents should consider before enrolling a child for swimming lessons.
Consider location and schedule. "Both play important roles in time management. Bad time management can cause parents to skip their children’s classes. This slows the kids’ progress,” says Adihan.
The lessons should include swimming techniques and water safety and survival skills.
Parents should ensure the instructors are certified and experienced in teaching children. The class size should be small enough for the instructor to give each child attention. “Parents should also check if the teaching style aligns with their child’s learning style and pace,” says Tan.
Parents should also take into account if classes are conducted in an indoor or outdoor swimming pool. “During rainy season, classes in outdoor pools are often cancelled for safety reasons,” says Deva Leela.
