Swimming lessons save lives: What parents should know
Before going any further, here's the main thing parents should know about swimming lessons: all children should have them.
在进一步讨论之前，家长应该了解关于游泳课的主要内容：所有孩子都应该参加游泳课。
Every year, over 4,500 people die from drowning in the United States - and, in fact, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.
在美国，每年有超过 4,500 人死于溺水 - 事实上，溺水是 1 至 4 岁儿童死亡的主要原因。
Swimming lessons can't prevent all of those deaths, but they can prevent a lot of them.
游泳课不能防止所有这些死亡，但可以防止很多死亡。
A child doesn't need to be able to swim butterfly or do flip turns, but the ability to get back to the surface, float, tread water, and swim to where they can stand or grab onto something can save a life.
孩子不需要能够蝶泳或做空翻，但是能够回到水面、漂浮、踩水以及游到他们可以站立或抓住东西的地方可以挽救生命。
As you think about swimming lessons, it's important to know:
当您考虑游泳课程时，重要的是要知道：
1.
1.
Children don't really have the cognitive skills to learn to swim until they are around 4 years old.
孩子们直到 4 岁左右才真正具备学习游泳的认知能力。
They need to be able to listen, follow directions, and retain what they've learned, and that's usually around 4 years old, with some kids being ready a little earlier.
他们需要能够倾听、遵循指示并记住所学知识，这通常是在 4 岁左右，有些孩子准备得更早一些。
2.
2.
That said, swim lessons between 1 and 4 years old can be useful.
也就是说，1 至 4 岁的游泳课程可能会有用。
Not only are some kids simply ready earlier, younger children can learn some skills that can be useful if they fall into the water, like getting back to the side of a pool.
不仅有些孩子可以提前做好准备，年幼的孩子还可以学习一些在掉入水中时有用的技能，例如回到泳池边。
3.
3.
The pool or beach where children learn must be safe.
孩子们学习的游泳池或海滩必须安全。
This sounds obvious, but safety isn't something you can assume; you need to check it out for yourself.
这听起来很明显，但安全性并不是你可以假设的；你需要亲自检查一下。
The area should be clean and well maintained.
该区域应干净且维护良好。
There should be lifeguards that aren't involved in teaching (since teachers can't be looking at everyone at all times).
应该有不参与教学的救生员（因为老师不可能一直看着每个人）。
There should be something that marks off areas of deeper water, and something to prevent children from getting into those deeper areas.
应该有一些东西来标记更深的水域区域，并防止儿童进入那些更深的区域。
There should be lifesaving and first aid equipment handy, and posted safety rules.
应备有救生和急救设备，并张贴安全规则。
4.
4.
The teachers should be trained.
教师应该接受培训。
Again, this sounds obvious - but it's not always the case.
同样，这听起来很明显 - 但情况并非总是如此。
Parents should ask about how teachers are trained and evaluated, and whether it's under the guidelines of an agency such as the Red Cross or the YMCA.
家长应该询问教师如何接受培训和评估，以及是否受到红十字会或基督教青年会等机构的指导。
5.
5.
The ratio of kids to teachers should be appropriate.
孩子与老师的比例要适当。
Preferably, it should be as low as possible, especially for young children and new swimmers.
最好是尽可能低，特别是对于幼儿和游泳新手。
In those cases, the teacher should be able to have all children within arm's reach and be able to watch the whole group.
在这些情况下，老师应该能够让所有孩子都在触手可及的范围内，并能够观察整个小组。
As children gain skills the group can get a bit bigger, but there should never be more than the teacher can safely supervise.
随着孩子们掌握技能，小组规模可以扩大一些，但人数不应超出老师可以安全监督的范围。
6.
6.
There should be a curriculum and a progression - and children should be placed based on their ability.
应该有一个课程和一个进度——孩子们应该根据他们的能力进行安置。
In general, swim lessons progress from getting used to the water all the way to becoming proficient at different strokes.
一般来说，游泳课程从适应水一直到精通不同的泳姿。
There should be a clear way that children are assessed, and a clear plan for moving them ahead in their skills.
应该有一个明确的方法来评估儿童，并制定一个明确的计划来推动他们的技能进步。
7.
7.
Parents should be able to watch for at least some portion.
家长应该能够观看至少一部分。
You should be able to see for yourself what is going on in the class.
您应该能够亲眼看到课堂上发生了什么。
It's not always useful or helpful for parents to be right there the whole time, as it can be distracting for children, but you should be able to watch at least the beginning and end of a lesson.
对于父母来说，始终在场并不总是有用或有帮助的，因为这可能会分散孩子的注意力，但您至少应该能够观看课程的开始和结束。
Many pools have an observation window or deck.
许多泳池都有观察窗或甲板。
8.
8.
Flotation devices should be used thoughtfully.
应谨慎使用漂浮装置。
There is a lot of debate about the use of "bubbles" or other flotation devices to help children learn to swim.
关于使用“气泡”或其他漂浮装置帮助儿童学习游泳存在很多争议。
They can be very helpful with keeping children safe at the beginning, and helping them learn proper positioning and stroke mechanics instead of swimming frantically to stay afloat, but if they are used, the lessons should be designed to gradually decrease any reliance on them.
它们对于在一开始就保证孩子的安全非常有帮助，并帮助他们学习正确的姿势和划水技巧，而不是疯狂地游泳以保持漂浮，但如果使用它们，课程的设计应该逐渐减少对它们的依赖。
9.
9.
Being scared of the water isn't a reason not to take, or to quit, swimming lessons.
害怕水并不是不参加或放弃游泳课程的理由。
It's common and normal to be afraid of the water, and some children are more afraid than others.
害怕水是很常见和正常的事情，有些孩子比其他孩子更害怕。
While you don't want to force a child to do something they are terrified of doing, giving up isn't a good idea either.
虽然你不想强迫孩子做他们害怕做的事情，但放弃也不是一个好主意。
Start more gradually, with lots of positive reinforcement.
逐渐开始，并进行大量的积极强化。
The swim teacher should be willing to help.
游泳老师应该愿意提供帮助。
10.
10.
Just because a child can swim doesn't mean he can't drown.
孩子会游泳并不意味着他不会被淹死。
Children can get tired, hurt, trapped, snagged, or disoriented.
孩子们可能会感到疲倦、受伤、被困、绊倒或迷失方向。
Even strong swimmers can get into trouble.
即使游泳能力很强的人也会遇到麻烦。
While swimming lessons help save lives, children should always, always be supervised around water, and should wear life jackets for boating and other water sports.
虽然游泳课程有助于拯救生命，但儿童在水周围应始终受到监督，并且在划船和其他水上运动时应穿着救生衣。
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has helpful information on preventing drowning .
疾病控制和预防中心网站提供了有关预防溺水的有用信息。
The American Red Cross offers an online water safety course for caregivers and parents and water safety videos for children.
美国红十字会为护理人员和家长提供在线水上安全课程，并为儿童提供水上安全视频。
Many public pools and organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA offer swimming classes for all ages.
许多公共泳池和男孩女孩俱乐部和基督教青年会等组织都为所有年龄段的人提供游泳课程。
Claire McCarthy, MD , Former Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Claire McCarthy，医学博士，哈佛健康出版社前高级编辑
Howard E.
霍华德·E。
LeWine, MD , Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
LeWine，医学博士，哈佛健康出版社首席医学编辑；哈佛健康出版社编辑顾问委员会成员
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作为为读者提供的一项服务，哈佛健康出版社提供对我们存档内容库的访问。
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请注意所有文章的最后审查或更新日期。
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本网站上的任何内容，无论日期如何，都不应替代您的医生或其他合格临床医生的直接医疗建议。
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