PETALING JAYA: Teaching children about water safety needs to begin early if we want them to be aware about the risks that come with playing in the water, many parents believe.
Manager Raymond Tan, 42, said he has been sending his two sons for swimming lessons since they turned six.
“I want them to know how to swim so that they can safely play in the swimming pools without me worrying about anything happening to them,” he said.
Although his sons – now 10 and nine – can do basic swimming strokes, he still strongly cautions them about playing in rivers and the sea, saying that these “open waters” are more risky than a swimming pool.
Another parent, Nishalini Sivakumaran, 37, said she had started sending her one-year-old for swimming lessons before he turned one.
“I wanted to introduce him to swimming at a young age because I don’t want him to be afraid of water as he grows older,” she said.
She added that the classes are meant to help him develop water awareness and gradually build his swimming skills from a young age.
“I believe these are valuable skills for him to learn as he grows up,” said Nishalini, who is a doctor.
For new parent Wong Lynn, 39, sending her daughter for swimming lessons when she turned one was a no-brainer.
“It breaks my heart to hear and read about young children drowning.
“I want my daughter to not only enjoy playing in the water but to have this important life skill.
“My hope is all children are given the opportunity to learn how to swim and also be taught about water safety,” she said.
