The Importance of Practicing Drowning Prevention All Year Long

May is National Water Safety Month, which means that community centers and online forums are offering resources and fun activities to encourage your children to always be safe in the water. With summer swim team season approaching, it's a great time to go over the importance of water safety with your children. However, water safety is not just reserved for the summer-it's something that should be practiced year-round, especially drowning prevention.

Drowning Hazards

Drowning prevention is particularly important because drowning can happen in any body of water at any time. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is one of the highest causes of unintended death among children between one and four years of age.

There are many factors that can contribute to a child's risk of drowning. One is, of course, not being able to swim properly. Another is swimming without proper supervision; if there's no adult around to assist in a water emergency, a child is much more at risk of drowning. Barriers should also be in place around backyard pools, as otherwise children can access the pool without a caretaker's knowledge. Proper supervision for children is important in any water situation, including the bathtub.

Another risk factor is the failure to wear a life jacket when the situation calls for it. According to the CDC, 88 percent of victims of boating accidents were killed while not wearing a life jacket. Even bathtubs can be dangerous places for children; they are the sites with highest risk of drowning for children with seizure disorders. For adolescents and adults, alcohol is also a big factor in drowning accidents, and drinking while swimming should never occur simultaneously.

Swim Lessons for Drowning Prevention

Thankfully, the risk of drowning can be easily diminished with proper water safety training. Especially for families with backyard pools, parents should enroll their children in swim lessons. Not only will they teach children the lifesaving water skills they would need to survive in a water emergency, but they will develop a life skill and learn discipline while making new friends.

There are differing opinions on when you should enroll your child in swim lessons, but we believe that the sooner they start, the better. Children who start learning to swim early on are better equipped to continue developing swimming skills so that they can stay safe in the water under any circumstances. We offer Infant Survival Swim Lessons for young children to learn the very basics of water safety so that they can grow to be competent and confident swimmers.

Katy, Texas Swim Lessons

At Texas Swim Academy in Katy, Texas, we provide best in class swim lessons for children throughout the greater Houston area. Before your child even begins to learn the different swim strokes, we make sure they learn the basics of drowning prevention and staying safe in the water. Contact us today for more information on our various swim class offerings in Katy, Cypress and Houston.

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Kids Safety Educational Resources

 

With summer just around the corner, it's nearly every kid's favorite time of the year: swim team season. Since your children are likely to be spending even more time in the water than usual, it's imperative you reinforce water safety rules as often as possible. Any swim lesson will be sure to include water safety first and foremost, but supplementing what they learn in lessons with other activities is a great and fun way to ensure they know their water safety skills. Think of it as swim team homework.

In honor of National Water Safety Month, we've rounded up a list of the best water safety resources for you to share with the kids.

Pool Safely Resources

Part of of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Pool Safely provides free and fun pool safety educational resources that are easy to download on their website. Easily print and share PDFs of pamphlets with friends and neighborhoods. Show your kids the fun, interactive videos that encourage staying safe in the pool. There is even a mobile app available for you to download. Install it on your smartphone so you have something educational at the ready the next time your child asks to play with it. These free, online water safety resources are a great way to ensure your children understand pool safety rules.

Swim Lessons

Though your child may already be enrolled in swim team, additional swimming lessons are always beneficial to improve performance and increase safety under any water circumstances. Swimming lessons are one of the best water safety resources for children of all ages-the more time they spend in the water, the more comfortable they'll be in any water-related circumstances. Our Infant Survival Swim Lessons equip young children with the skills to get comfortable in the water and continue developing their swimming skills as they grow.

Perhaps you have a child that is not yet ready for the demands of swim team and would benefit for more personalized attention. Our Adaptive Aquatics program is designed to provide specialized, patient attention to children of all ages and abilities. Parents of children on the autism spectrum frequently comment on how the program helps their children develop confidence both in and out of the water. No matter their ability, all children deserve to learn life-saving water skills.

At Texas Swim Academy, we also offer Fun Friday open swim times for students enrolled in swim lessons here to practice their swimming skills in a fun, recreational environment with their TSA peers. Check the calendar for dates and times.

National Water Safety Month Resources

 Since it is National Water Safety Month, there will be plenty of activities scheduled both in community centers and online. Visit the National Water Safety Month to find events listed in your area, as well as plenty of water safety resources!

Texas Swim Academy offers the best swim lessons and competition prep to children of all ages throughout the Houston area. We hope to see your child enrolled soon!

 

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The Importance of Adaptive Aquatics for Children on the Autism Spectrum

All children can benefit from taking swim lessons. They are a great way to exercise and make friends, while also teaching kids potentially life-saving water skills. Swimming lessons for children on the autism spectrum can be even more beneficial to their overall well-being.

Adaptive Aquatics Swim Program

Caroline, who was diagnosed with autism around age three, was going to occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy to help her adapt to everyday life. However, once she started school, finding the time to take her to three different therapies was difficult. Her mother, Jennifer, then decided to enroll her in the Texas Swim Academy Adaptive Aquatics program to ensure she would still get the stimulation she needed.

Swim Lessons for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Caroline has been taking swim lessons for almost a year now. Jennifer has observed these lessons as being greatly beneficial to her overall sense of independence and confidence-it's a set of skills Caroline can see herself building on her own that she can be proud of. Unlike other swim programs they had tried, Texas Swim Academy has provided much more individualized swimming lessons for children on the autism spectrum in Katy, Cypress and Houston. The Adaptive Aquatics program instructors are specially trained to work with these children, so they focus on what Caroline feels comfortable doing rather than trying to mold her to traditional swim styles.

Texas Swim Academy instructors are trained to provide highly individualized swimming lessons for children on the autism spectrum. This includes not only basic swim instruction, but also creating a calm, reassuring atmosphere in which these students feel comfortable learning and growing. In turn, students develop necessary water skills and get physical stimulation they need while also building up their sense of independence. We believe that anyone of any ability can learn valuable water skills with just enough patience, compassion and consistency from our swimming lessons in Katy, Cypress and Houston.

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Autism Awareness Month and Adaptive Aquatics

Springtime has long been symbolic of change and new beginnings. It is more than rotating our closets and cleaning out the garage-we as humans use the spring to reflect on how we want to grow. Thus, there is no better than April for Autism Awareness Month.

National Autism Awareness Month was founded by the Autism Society to promote inclusion, acceptance, and success for persons with ASD. It helps draw attention to the tens of thousands of individuals facing a diagnosis of autism each year through online events and activities, declarations in high levels of government, and even local events and opportunities to get involved.

We at Texas Swim Academy are proud to promote a society of inclusion through our Adaptive Aquatics program. Like any activity, swimming shouldn't be reserved just for those that fit the status quo; many children with autism can and do benefit from physical activities like adaptive swimming.

About the Adaptive Aquatics Program

Our program started from one simple belief: every child, including those on the autism spectrum, should be able to build the skills they need to enjoy water comfortably and safely. We pride ourselves on helping students build fundamental water safety and survival skills and believe those skills should be accessible for any individual on the autism spectrum.

Children of all ages and abilities are invited to learn life-saving skills and swimming techniques. Texas Swim Academy instructors are trained specifically to work and effectively communicate with children on the autism spectrum. You can be sure your child is learning water skills in a safe environment with an instructor they are comfortable with.

As no child on the autism spectrum is the same, we adapt our Adaptive Aquatics program to each individual. Parents can have peace of mind knowing their child is with a calm, reassuring, and patient instructor. This not only helps children on the autism spectrum learn the water skills they need, it also helps them build confidence in the water that can be translated to other aspects of daily life.

Benefits of Adaptive Aquatics - One Parent's Story

Veronica Gutierrez from Cyprus, Texas, began bringing her daughter Kennedy to the Adaptive Aquatics program about nine months ago. Kennedy is non-verbal, and Veronica has noted how her swim instruction has opened her up. Now, Kennedy sings and talks a lot more on car rides home than she usually would.

Kennedy has also bonded with her instructor, Melinda. Veronica says that even more important than the instructors' training is their listening capabilities-Melinda has been great in getting to know Kennedy and takes the time and patience to make the class enjoyable for her. Veronica notes that Adaptive Aquatics has allowed her to be able to give Kennedy more freedom thanks to the skills she's learned.

Thanks to parents like Veronica and instructors like Melinda, we at Texas Swim Academy in Katy, Texas are able to offer these vital swim lessons to children of all abilities. If you are interested in enrolling your child for life-saving swim lessons, register with Texas Swim Academy today.

The post Autism Awareness Month and Adaptive Aquatics appeared first on Texas Swim Academy.

Autism Awareness Month and Adaptive Aquatics

Springtime has long been symbolic of change and new beginnings. It is more than rotating our closets and cleaning out the garage-we as humans use the spring to reflect on how we want to grow. Thus, there is no better than April for Autism Awareness Month.

National Autism Awareness Month was founded by the Autism Society to promote inclusion, acceptance, and success for persons with ASD. It helps draw attention to the tens of thousands of individuals facing a diagnosis of autism each year through online events and activities, declarations in high levels of government, and even local events and opportunities to get involved.

We at Texas Swim Academy are proud to promote a society of inclusion through our Adaptive Aquatics program. Like any activity, swimming shouldn't be reserved just for those that fit the status quo; many children with autism can and do benefit from physical activities like adaptive swimming.

About the Adaptive Aquatics Program

Our program started from one simple belief: every child, including those on the autism spectrum, should be able to build the skills they need to enjoy water comfortably and safely. We pride ourselves on helping students build fundamental water safety and survival skills and believe those skills should be accessible for any individual on the autism spectrum.

Children of all ages and abilities are invited to learn life-saving skills and swimming techniques. Texas Swim Academy instructors are trained specifically to work and effectively communicate with children on the autism spectrum. You can be sure your child is learning water skills in a safe environment with an instructor they are comfortable with.

As no child on the autism spectrum is the same, we adapt our Adaptive Aquatics program to each individual. Parents can have peace of mind knowing their child is with a calm, reassuring, and patient instructor. This not only helps children on the autism spectrum learn the water skills they need, it also helps them build confidence in the water that can be translated to other aspects of daily life.

Benefits of Adaptive Aquatics - One Parent's Story

Veronica Gutierrez from Cyprus, Texas, began bringing her daughter Kennedy to the Adaptive Aquatics program about nine months ago. Kennedy is non-verbal, and Veronica has noted how her swim instruction has opened her up. Now, Kennedy sings and talks a lot more on car rides home than she usually would.

Kennedy has also bonded with her instructor, Melinda. Veronica says that even more important than the instructors' training is their listening capabilities-Melinda has been great in getting to know Kennedy and takes the time and patience to make the class enjoyable for her. Veronica notes that Adaptive Aquatics has allowed her to be able to give Kennedy more freedom thanks to the skills she's learned.

Thanks to parents like Veronica and instructors like Melinda, we at Texas Swim Academy in Katy, Texas are able to offer these vital swim lessons to children of all abilities. If you are interested in enrolling your child for life-saving swim lessons, register with Texas Swim Academy today.

The post Autism Awareness Month and Adaptive Aquatics appeared first on Texas Swim Academy.

Hero Stories: Kathleen McMordie Helps Teen with Down Syndrome Overcome Fears

The world is a big place. It is especially intimidating to those with special abilities and their families, as they seek ways to help their children to overcome and reach beyond their boundaries. Swim lessons are a popular choice because the activity is beneficial to the body, mind and preservation of safety. However, not all children are so eager to jump into the water.

For teenagers who have Down syndrome, such as Alex, the swimming pool can be a very scary place. The water is an unknown space, and they do not trust their bodies to perform in the right way. It takes a special instructor to turn swimming from a fear to a passion. Through Adaptive Aquatics swim lessons in Katy, Texas, Kathleen and the swim instructors at Texas Swim Academy are doing just that.

Learning to Survive

Fourteen-year-old Alex’s parents had tried to introduce him to swimming several times before. They knew that learning to swim was both an essential skill as well as a therapeutic activity that could help their son to thrive. Despite good instructors, Alex was continuously held back by his fears until his parents brought him to Texas Swim Academy. Here, Alex has far exceeded expectations. He looks forward to his biweekly lessons and continues to learn new techniques in the water.

Adaptive Aquatics Swim Lessons in Katy, Texas

Through Adaptive Aquatics swim lessons, the heroes at Texas Swim Academy are showing both children and parents that they are capable of meeting and exceeding their goals in the pool. Swimming lessons are a skill that can be applied to multiple areas of life and create a positive influence that help children like Alex to overcome challenges.

If you would like more information on Adaptive Aquatics swim lessons in Katy, Texas, visit our page or contact a representative with Texas Swim Academy today.

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Drowning Prevention: The Importance of Swim Lessons for Your Child

The topic of drowning is uncomfortable and somber, but it is important to discuss, especially if you have children who are ever around the water. It only takes a few inches of water and less than a couple of minutes for a child to lose consciousness. Drowning does not just happen in the summer either; it can occur year-round. With professional swimming lessons, your child would learn drowning prevention and how to stay safe in the water, all while developing a lifelong skill.

Beating the Statistics

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), around 10 people die every day from drowning. Of those 10 people, two are children who are 14 years of age or younger. As a result, drowning is the fifth most common cause of death by an unintentional injury, the second most common for children aged one to 14 years old.

One of the saddest and most unfortunate parts about these statistics is that unintentional drowning is preventable with the proper training. The CDC states that research has proven that formal swimming lessons decrease the chances for young children to drown. If you are a parent, especially one who owns a home with a swimming pool, you should consider the benefits of enrolling your child in professional swim lessons.

Kameron’s Story

It was an ordinary, sunny Sunday afternoon at the Stewarts’ home where friends and family had gathered to celebrate Yves Stewart’s birthday. Mouth-watering barbecue was being passed around, kids were splashing about in the pool and everyone was having a great time. Because there were several adults at the party who knew how to swim and even perform CPR, Yves rightly felt confident enough to briefly step into the kitchen and fix a plate of food.

Before anyone could realize it, Yves’ youngest son Kameron had removed the flotation devices from his arms and tried to jump into the pool like the bigger kids. The next few moments were some of the most frightening minutes in Yves and Larry’s lives. Watch video below to listen to them retell Kameron’s story:

Swim Lessons in Katy, Texas

At Texas Swim Academy, located in Katy, Texas, we teach children of all ages how to stay safe in the water. Kameron and his parents can attest that, through practice and time spent with well-informed and experienced instructors, your child will have the knowledge and skills they need to survive in the water. Our indoor facility also has heated pools, so no matter what the temperature is outside, we can be learning how to swim.

Do you want to learn more about the importance of learning drowning prevention? Our instructors at Texas Swim Academy are gentle and patient when it comes to teaching small children how to swim. If you want to enroll your child in swim lessons, contact us today to learn more about the classes we offer for Katy, Cypress and Houston locals.

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