A study by Mumsnet and HUGGIES® Little Swimmers® reveals that 96% of parents with a child aged 0-3 want their children to be polite and well-mannered in preparation for school, compared with 71% wanting them to know how to swim.
Parenting on Female First
Mums are aware of the importance of teaching their child to swim – although 68% one to three year olds are yet to have a formal swimming lesson with only 84% of 0-3 year olds have been swimming at least once.
However, many parents believe it's important for their child to be good at swimming as 70% of parents think their child should be able to swim by the time they start school, but less than a fifth say their kids have regular swimming lessons.
Despite the results, 62% of parents voted swimming to be more effective as a bonding activity over baby massage (24%), soft play (19%) and baby yoga (18%).
Parents also deem being able to read and write (56%), tie their shoelaces (51%), ride a bike and use a mobile phone(19%) necessary by the time they start school.
Catherine Hanley from Mumsnet said: “The embarrassment of your children forgetting to say please or thank you to their teacher or relative is something we have all experienced, but a less obvious life skill to develop with your child is being confident in the water. That's why it's great for safety, bonding and for fun to get your baby or child used to the water in safe way at a young age.”
Catherine added: "Mums are aware of what they should be doing but inadequate changing facilities and not enough baby sessions available at local pools are cited as bugbears about taking their child swimming".
HUGGIES® Little Swimmers® is encouraging parents to take their little ones swimming more often.
For further information, videos and expert baby swimming advice, visit the website at www.littleswimmers.co.uk
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