The importance of learning how to swim

Nov 03, 2020

The Importance of Teaching Your Child to Swim

According to the National Safe Kids Campaign , “drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children ages 1 – 14, making it absolutely crucial that all kids know how to swim at a young age. There is water all around us, even if it’s as small as a bathtub, so making sure that your child is comfortable in and around water is essential to their safety”. It is also important to remember that children who appear to be water confident are not always competent swimmers, that’s why we at Gaborone International School encourage parents to get involved and enrol themselves together with their children in swimming lessons to at least learn the preliminaries of swimming. Another great thing about swimming is that children of any age or ability can take part and it is more accessible for children with special needs than any other sport.

When Can My Child Start Swimming?

Some parents have actually set an age for their children to start learning how to swim, while other parents don’t find it necessary to teach their kids how to swim. What most parents don’t know is that a child has the ability to swim as soon as they can open their eyes after birth. Of course, young children will need some help getting started. You can help your child get used to the water by filling a small cup with warm water and pouring it over their shoulders and head. You can also let them play in the bathtub with toys and bubbles.

What are the Benefits of Teaching Your Child how to Swim?

There are many reasons why it's important to teach your child to swim. Swimming can help to:

  1. Keep your child safe.

    As mentioned earlier, drowning is a leading cause of death in children. By teaching your child to swim, you can help to reduce the risk of this happening.

  2. Improve your child's physical health
  3. Swimming is a great way to get exercise. It can help to improve your child's strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.

  4. Boost your child's self-confidence.
  5. Learning to swim can be a challenging but rewarding experience. When your child succeeds at learning to swim, it can help to boost their self-confidence and self-esteem

  6. Give your child a new hobby.
  7. Swimming is a great way to stay active and have fun. It's also a great way to make friends.

  8. Improve their mental health.
  9. Swimming can help to improve mental health in children. It can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

  10. Swimming can teach children self-discipline.

For example, it can teach them the importance of following instructions, working hard, and being patient.

What to Expect at Your First Swimming Lesson

It's important to remember that everyone learns at their own pace. Don't be discouraged if your child doesn't master all of the skills in their first lesson. Just keep practicing and your child will eventually learn to swim.
Swimming is a great skill for kids to learn. It can help to keep them safe, improve their physical health, and boost their self-confidence. At Gaborone International School we care about your child’s safety, happiness and health. Enrol today for peace of mind.

By Gaborone International School 03 May, 2024
Mindfulness A fast-paced workplace where one is always overwhelmed with packed schedules, deadlines to meet and never having downtime, can contribute to burnout and ineffective discharge of duties. One of the ways in which this can be mitigated is by practicing mindfulness . What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is an act of meditation which teaches the practitioner to be present and not to let their mind wander. Practicing this form of meditation can bring many benefits and help reduce stress and improve memory. Through mindfulness you may be able to focus on the positive things in your life and give less energy to the things that may be harmful to you either mentally or physically. If left to its own devices, the mind will wander, and this can be a problem if you are trying to complete tasks to your full potential. If you can condition your mind to focus, you will be able to give everything you do a lot of attention, and this will help in creating the best output. The mind needs to be trained and mindfulness is a good practice to train your mind to focus on one thing at a time and give it your all. Mindfulness can be done to help you connect with yourself and your inner peace. It is beneficial to everyone; whether spiritual, religious or those who do not believe in a higher power at all. It is just a way to connect with yourself. Some experts believe that through mindfulness you will be able to accept your life experiences and work through them rather than avoiding them. You can couple this with therapy and be able to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. The beauty of this practice is that it can be done at any time, once you start getting used to the action. The easiest way to start is to find a quiet place and focus on your breathing. You have to breath intentionally and do not be hard on yourself if your mind starts to wonder, just bring yourself back to focusing on your breathing. The Benefits of Mindfulness Some of the benefits of mindfulness are that it improves mental health , it can help to reduce stress and even elevate your mood. It has been known to be used in the treatment of anxiety or depression. If you can live in the moment, it can help you not over to think situations or dwell on negative experiences. You can also control your emotions through the practice of mindfulness which can help if you have anger issues or have problems managing your stress levels. It is also helpful for lowering your heart rate because you will be breathing deeply therefore preventing health issues. The other benefits are being able to be calm in different situations and this type of focus can help you perform better at work or at school. Being able to be present allows for better performance because you will not be easily distracted and can complete the task at hand. Mindfulness also helps with creativity which can be a benefit when it comes to problem solving. You will be able to come up with new ways to help yourself and others. Furthermore, mindfulness can help you sleep better. If you are not constantly thinking about random things you will be able to fall asleep quicker and get an adequate amount of sleep which is important for mental health. According to Harvard health, mindfulness can improve physical health too, it can help reduce chronic pain and improve inflammation. In conclusion, mindfulness is a great tool to help heal your mind and body subsequently, increasing the quality of life and making it easier to handle stressful situations. Through mindfulness you can become an overall better person.
By Gaborone International School 25 Apr, 2024
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By Gaborone International School 06 Mar, 2024
In the dynamic realm of education, technology plays a pivotal role in reshaping instructional methods and the learning experience at Gaborone International School (GIS ). From early childhood to higher education, technology permeates every facet of modern learning and unlocks diverse possibilities. 1. Early Computing Exposure: In the past, computer literacy was delayed to later schooling stages, but GIS prioritises early technology exposure. Even our youngest learners engage with educational software , mastering fundamental computer skills before literacy in traditional subjects. This early exposure not only equips them with essential tools but also cultivates comfort and adaptability in the digital era. 2. Online Research Integration: The internet allows GIS students to explore diverse subjects and access academic resources beyond textbooks. Platforms like Google Scholar empower students to enhance comprehension and critical thinking skills. 3. Educational Video Utilization: Platforms like YouTube serve as invaluable educational resources, offering diverse content across subjects. Supervised video viewing supplements classroom instruction, catering to various learning styles. For example, science teachers use YouTube to demonstrate chemical reactions, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation among students. 4. Robotics Integration: GIS' Science and Technology lab transcends theoretical learning, incorporating robotics for practical application. Students engage in experiential learning by building and programming robots, honing problem-solving skills across physics, engineering, and programming. 5. Enhanced Parental Engagement: Technology bridges school and home , facilitating smooth communication and parental involvement. Online platforms enable virtual school meetings, real-time access to academic reports, and effortless communication with teachers, strengthening the home-school partnership. In conclusion, technology has become integral at GIS , reshaping education and enriching the learning experience. From early childhood to advanced learning, technology empowers students to thrive in the digital age and beyond.
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