Start Them Young: Youth Swim ClassesStart Them Young: Youth Swim ClassesCHARLOTTE, N.C. Seven-month-old Warner isn't even walking yet, but mom Stephanie says she's already turning into quite the little fish. For 30 minutes, twice a week. they attend swim classes at the Harris YMCA. Warner is a "Shrimp"- the age group for babies 6-9 months old. They learn the basic water safety skills: how to reach for objects in the water, how to balance and how to kick. Stephanie says getting Warner confident and comfortable is key. She knows it won't happen overnight, but says teaching her daughter how to swim is one of the best gifts she can give her. "It's a lot of songs, getting them familiar with the water, splashing... she loves it, she's very comfortable," says Stephanie. Not only is it fun for little ones like Warner to splash around, it's also a life-saving tool. According to the CDC, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for kids under the age of 12. The goal of youth swimming classes, like the ones at the Harris YMCA, is to prevent the unthinkable from ever happening. Holly Johnson, the Harris YMCA Aquatics Director, says drowning is 100% preventable if kids are equipped with the skills they need in the water. She says the nice this is most kids get a kick out of splashing around, and developing strong little swimmers is a big win for everyone.
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