05/22/2026
🌊 May is Water Safety Month — the perfect reminder that drowning prevention starts long before summer vacations and pool days.
As a pediatrician, one of the biggest mistakes I see parents make with ISR and swim lessons? Assuming that once a child “graduates” from a course, they’re set for life.
It’s so easy to feel reassured after those first lessons—but the truth is, ISR and swim skills need consistent refreshers to stick. Most kids need a refresher every 6 months to maintain those life-saving abilities.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons as an important layer of protection against drowning and notes that many children are developmentally ready for swim lessons starting around age 1 — but readiness varies by child based on emotional maturity, physical abilities, health conditions, and exposure to water.
➡️ If your child swam confidently at 2, don’t assume they’ll remember at 3 without more lessons. In just one off-season, important skills can fade—raising the risk of drowning.
✅ Make lessons a seasonal habit: age 1, age 2, age 3, age 4 and beyond.
✅ Don’t overestimate their ability—supervise always.
✅ Keep skills sharp so they’re ready every summer.
ISR and swim lessons aren’t one-time achievements—they’re ongoing protection. Let’s keep our kids safe.
Dr. Katie
