AVOID SWIMMING LESSONS FOR CHILDREN UNDER FOUR.

• Position: Brief Article

Children are not developmentally ready for formal swimming lessons until after their fourth birthday, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which points out that drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the pediatric age group. In the U.S., drowning rates are highest among toddlers one through two years old. In Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury and death in this age group.

While an estimated 5-10,000,000 infants and preschool children participate in aquatic programs...