1. Children who swim tend to be healthier than those who don't. Even in the winter!

 2. The physical exercise that they get when swimming stimulates a child's appetite. It helps him to eat better and sleep better, resulting in a healthier child with a stronger immune system.

 3. The deep breathing that children do when they blow bubbles or submerge in water helps to keep their lungs clear of accumulated mucous, making them less prone to respiratory problems.

 4. Children grow and develop so quickly. When they stop swim lessons and come back 3 or 4 months later, they have changed socially, emotionally and physically. As a child matures he develops inhibitions about new experiences. Some return with a fear of the water that they didn't have before.

 5. Children who swim right through winter have the greatest chance of reaching their full potential. They continue to progress, maintaining important safety skills and comfort in the water. Your child is less likely to remain calm and remember how to float or grab the wall if it has been weeks or months since the last time he was in the water.