In the summer, families head to city pools and lakes; water sports are always at the top of family fun. And with each season, water safety must stay top of mind. One of the vulnerabilities around the water is in the use of water wings, infant inner tubes, and toddler life jackets. They have become commonplace but are often a misinformed way of keeping our little ones safe.
We need to put water wings (and other inflatables) in proper perspective. One of the biggest problems is that parents believe their children are safe in water wings, so they let down their guard. I even saw a parent at Chico Hot Springs allow a toddler in the deep end of the swimming pool without adults present because she was wearing water wings.
Invisible Problems of Water Wings for Infants and Toddlers
Even with adults present, water wings can pose both short-term and long-term problems for infants and toddlers.
A baby or toddler detects danger primarily through the facial expressions of their caregivers so if a parent relaxes their guard and is distracted through conversation (believing their child is safe), even if the water wings slip off, the child will not recognize their danger.
The water wings also give a child a false sense of security. The child experiences (and of course enjoys) the buoyancy that water wings provide. Unfortunately, the child's sense of buoyancy is unrealistic because it comes solely from the water wings.
Never underestimate water's potential danger; a toddler can drown in inches of water. "Drowning is the leading cause of injury and death of children ages 1 to 4," reported a Time article titled "Children under Age 4 Are at Highest Risk for Drowning."
As a youth, I was a swimming teacher for many years for infants all the way up to adults. During this time, I observed some interesting dynamics and learned some important keys about how to keep children safe in the water. There are very simple, yet vital things we can do as parents to raise water safety standards for our children.
MUST-READ: "10 Water Safety Tips: from a Mother Who Investigates Drownings."
Muscle Memory and a Child's Developing Brain
Young children's developing brain and their prefrontal cortex, the logical part of the brain, are not yet fully developed. This brain immaturity makes it very challenging, if not impossible, for toddlers to make the distinction that it is the water wings keeping them afloat, not some magical or natural ability. They only know they stay afloat. Their young minds do not discriminate that the results differ with and without water wings.
So children accustomed to wearing water wings can develop an inaccurate perception of their abilities in the water. Children's movies and cartoons reinforce this unreal expectation through characters falling great distances without being hurt, animals talking, and mermaids swimming underwater. Everything appears possible. Disney creations may be great for budding imagination, but we must also remember the stage of infant and toddler brain development and the inability to distinguish real from imagined.
The floating apparatus that provides an artificial ability is a set-up for mishaps and panic later if toddlers are in the water without floats and start to sink. An ounce of perceived safety now yields a pound of real danger later, if the child suddenly discovers his or her lack of skill in the water, just when it's needed. Teaching infants to swim and to get them extremely comfortable in the water even underwater is a wise practice.
A child who only swims once a year will not develop strong memory pathways; a child who swims several times a week will. A child who doesn't frequent the water without water wings, however, does not develop accurate perceptions of his or her body in the water and the muscle memory needed to stay afloat. This illusion creates a much greater opportunity for panic when the child faces an awkward situation, such as being pushed underwater accidentally by an older child or slipping into a pool or out of a buoy.
Children need lots of experience in the water. The brain and muscles develop according to experience and the memories that are built due to that experience. The more an experience is repeated, the more solidly the brain creates pathways that build memory and skills.
Ensuring Children's Safety in the Water
So should you use toddler water wings for babies? What about kids' water wings?
The best learning in the water is in the presence of attentive adults—without water wings at least part of the time.
One way to ensure greater safety for our children is for them to experience their natural weight in the water and teach them how to float on their backs to rest. Even though there is a place for floats, we need to properly prepare our young children and not only provide fun but also build strong respect for the water.
Then if they find themselves underwater or in deep water unexpectedly without water wings, they will not be taken off guard when their bodies do not float as naturally, and they will be less likely to panic.
All children (as well as parents who do not know how to swim or who have an aversion to the water) need to have swimming lessons and abundant water experiences to learn basic water safety—such as holding your breath, turning over on your back to rest, and calming yourself mentally. Children who have developed these skills are much more equipped for whatever happens to them, unlike children who wear water wings and assume they are safe.
Also, we need to ensure that as parents and teachers, we are not distracted when we are responsible for the safety of children in the water. As a parent of three children, I totally understand the need for downtime and wanting to chat with a friend at the poolside. However, due to the tremendous risk around water for young children, I recommend parents do several things.
PARENTING TIPS
for Keeping Young Children Safe in the Water
Rotate with your partner and clearly identify who is "on duty" when around a body of water.This includes bathtubs, irrigation ditches, streams, rivers, and even small plastic children's pools. Infants and toddlers can easily and quickly drown in a few inches of water. With this system in place, you are far less likely to lose sight of the ultimate goal: to keep your children safe. Inattention or just plain carelessness is greatly reduced when you consciously set up a system for meeting your needs as well as your children's.
Get babies, toddlers, and young children in the water as soon as possible and regularly!
Babies love the water and naturally swim even underwater without fear. Most people forget that babies just spent 9 months swimming and floating around in the embryonic fluid. The earlier we introduce babies to swimming, the more comfortable they are with water. Start with teaching babies to blow bubbles in the bathtub. Gradually show them how to hold their breath and put their whole face in the water. Next, move to a swimming pool and have them relax by floating on their back while their head is resting on your shoulder for support and reassurance. Increase the difficulty as they gain confidence in the water. Consistency and repetition are the keys.
Give babies, toddlers, and preschool children experience in the water with and without water wings.
Let babies experience buoyancy with water wings; then take the water wings off and let them experience the sinking effect. Do this gently and safely multiple times, until the children understand the dramatic difference between swimming with and without water wings.
When we help children—especially very young children—gain skill and experience in the water, they build confidence and develop skills ahead of time, preventing and tremendously decreasing the chances of a tragedy. Teach respect for the water the same way you teach respect for other people. Creating a healthy relationship with the water will make swimming a rich and fun part of your life without injury or loss.
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