Sport of the Month: Swimming and Its Benefits

This month’s featured sport is swimming!  There are many benefits of teaching swimming. It may seem strange to focus on swimming in the dead of winter, but with rain and snow in the forecast, it’s a great time of year to get kids out of the usual school environment. Plus, programming a swimming unit offers you and your students plenty of benefits.

The benefits of teaching swimming in your school

1. Self-confidence: Humans aren’t naturally built for the water, and learning to swim may seem intimidating to many children. Students who learn to swim in spite of their initial fears gain mastery over themselves.
2. Safety: According to the Royal Life Saving Society, about 400 people drown each year in the UK. The sooner children learn to swim—and swim safely—the more likely they are to be able to save themselves.
3. Physical benefits: Swimming is an excellent full-body workout that trains the cardiovascular system and improves flexibility without the pounding or impact found in land sports.
4. Social effects: Children who can swim are able to participate more fully in holidays, parties, and even competitive clubs later in life
5. Lifelong practice: Because it’s so low-impact, swimming is an activity people can do well into old age. Teaching students to swim offers a tool they can use to maintain good health for the rest of their lives.

As an added bonus, there is also some evidence that swimming is less likely to be a problem for students with mild to moderate asthma.

Later this month we’ll share some of our best practices for teaching this challenging but rewarding activity. Meanwhile, find out more about what we do here at The PE Hub, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want to subscribe!

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