In the wake of several child drownings, awareness campaigns are on in the UAE to get more kids used to water from an early age Video Credit: Ahmed Ramzan, Gulf News Photographer
Also in this package

After several child drownings, Gulf News photographer Ahmed Ramzan hit the pool to discover the importance of early water awareness lessons. Not only do toddlers learn how to hold their breath, float and roll on to their backs, but they gain respect for the pool and associate the activity as something only safe to do when parents are around.

190628 swiimming
Instructors give toddlers, accompanied by their parents, a feel of the water at Swimming Wonders at Hilton Hotel in Dubai. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
190628 kids swim
Parent and child classes also help with bonding and educate the parents on how to handle children in water. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
190628 kids swim
Experts say exposing babies to water is important otherwise they will be terrified of it by the time they begin swimming lessons from the age of two to three, when their bodies are developed and ready to swim. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
190628 kids swim
The American Association of Paediatrics recommends that kids start swimming lessons around the age of one. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
190628 kids swim
Water familiarisation should be encouraged, experts say, while swimming lessons from three should be mandatory. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
190628 kids swim
It’s a misconception that babies swallow too much water in pools. The extrusion reflex stops this from happening. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News