Swimming is one of most children’s ‘experience dependent’ movement skills – meaning that it is not one they would acquire naturally or without some direct teaching and supervision.
Although the curriculum states that all children should be able to swim 25m unaided by the end of primary school, curiously there is no data available to determine if this is achieved or not.
The reasons for children’s inability to swim safely are many and varied – including financial issues, fear of water, family interest and lack of facilities. We know that many children will never see or swim in a big pool and can remain uneasy and uncertain around water. Maybe by identifying and focusing on these optimum early swimming experiences, we can promote a vital and life-saving skill.
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