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Learning to Swim: An Exploration of Negative Prior Aquatic Experiences Among Children

Author

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  • Amy E. Peden

    (Royal Life Saving Society, Sydney 2007, NSW, Australia
    College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, QLD, Australia
    School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington 2052, NSW, Australia)

  • Richard C. Franklin

    (Royal Life Saving Society, Sydney 2007, NSW, Australia
    College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, QLD, Australia)

Abstract

Learning to swim via a structured program is an important skill to develop aquatic competencies and prevent drowning. Fear of water can produce phobic behaviors counterproductive to the learning process. No research examines the influence of negative aquatic experiences on learning to swim. This study explored the influence of children’s negative prior aquatic experiences (NPAE) on learn-to-swim achievement via swim school data. Children’s enrolment records (5–12 years) in the Australian Capital Territory were analyzed via demographics, level achieved and NPAE. NPAE was recorded as yes/no, with free text thematically coded to 16 categories. Of 14,012 records analyzed (51% female; 64% aged 6–8 years), 535 (4%) reported a NPAE at enrolment. Males, children with a medical condition and attending public schools were significantly more likely ( p = 0.001) to report a NPAE. Children reporting a NPAE achieved a lower average skill level at each year of age. The largest proportion (19%) of NPAE reported related to swimming lessons. NPAE have a detrimental influence on aquatic skill achievement. We recommend increased adult supervision to reduce likelihood of an NPAE occurring, while also encouraging swim instructors to consider NPAE when teaching swimming and develop procedures to ensure a NPAE does not occur during instruction.

Suggested Citation

  • Amy E. Peden & Richard C. Franklin, 2020. "Learning to Swim: An Exploration of Negative Prior Aquatic Experiences Among Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3557-:d:360119
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard C. Franklin & Amy E. Peden, 2017. "Improving Pool Fencing Legislation in Queensland, Australia: Attitudes and Impact on Child Drowning Fatalities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Aminur Rahman & Olakunle Alonge & Al-Amin Bhuiyan & Priyanka Agrawal & Shumona Sharmin Salam & Abu Talab & Qazi Sadeq-ur Rahman & Adnan A. Hyder, 2017. "Epidemiology of Drowning in Bangladesh: An Update," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-11, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrzej Ostrowski & Arkadiusz Stanula & Andrzej Swinarew & Alexander Skaliy & Dariusz Skalski & Wojciech Wiesner & Dorota Ambroży & Krzysztof Kaganek & Łukasz Rydzik & Tadeusz Ambroży, 2022. "Individual Determinants as the Causes of Failure in Learning to Swim with the Example of 10-Year-Old Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.

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