Adults are role models for children. So if you enjoy swimming, chances are your children will, too. If you can't swim, don't let that influence your children. Enrol them in swimming lessons now, and think seriously about getting lessons yourself. You'll be missing out if you can't enjoy the water with your children.

1 in 3 children say swimming is their favourite family activity. So when you take them swimming, remember it's a fun time. It's not about learning technique - leave that to the lessons. You can boost your children's confidence in the water by having fun and playing games.

FAQs

• I can't swim. How can I help my child?

You're never too old to learn so find out about lessons in your local pool. But, in the meantime, don't put off going to the swimming pool with your child. It's a safe environment with lifeguards on duty all the time. And there are fun games you can play with you child in the shallow end.

• Why do we need to shower before using the pool?

It's essential that people using a swimming pool have high standards of hygiene so that swimming in pool water remains a healthy experience for everyone. It's not a subject that is discussed much but you can help by encouraging children to use the toilet and shower before entering the pool. And remind them never to use the pool as a toilet!

• Does my child need to wear goggles?

No. In fact some swimming teachers believe it is important for children to get used to water splashing on their faces and to be able to open their eyes underwater without goggles on. Others think that wearing googles gives children more confidence and reduces eye irritation from the pool water. Of course, should children fall into water as an accident they are unlikely to be wearing googles and will have to cope with getting water in their eyes. Read detailed guidance from Swim Wales.

• Can my child wear armbands in the swimming pool?

As a general rule, buoyancy aids such as arm bands, swim belts, woggles, floats and SwimFins, can help children feel more confident in the water, as long as they are appropriate to the child's size and level of skill. Ideally, buoyancy aids that enable the child to obtain a horizontal body position in the water and use both arms and legs to create movement through the water are encouraged. It's always worth checking what's allowed in a particular swimming pool, as different venues have different policies regarding the use of certain buoyancy aids.

• My child is disabled. What opportunities does he have to go swimming?

Everyone can take part in swimming. In fact people with physical disabilities may feel a sense of freedom in the pool as the water supports them. Swimming can also help children with special needs to develop social skills. It's important to get swimming lessons for any child as a first step. Find lessons near you.

• I'm worried about my daughter going swimming because she has asthma.

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for people with asthma, especially children, as it is less likely to cause asthma symptoms. This is because, when you're swimming, you are breathing in air near the surface of the water that is warmer and more humid than normal air. Swimming training can increase the volume of the lungs as well as helping to develop good breathing techniques. It's a fun way of children keeping fit. It's important to get advice from your doctor before starting a swim programme if you get asthma symptoms during or after exercise, as this could be exercise-induced asthma.

• How many children can I take into the swimming pool?

If you want to take two or more children swimming, check the rules of that specific swimming pool before setting out. Each pool has its own admission policy which takes into account the assessment of risks at that venue. The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), the UK's professional body for sport and physical activity management, states provided the children are in a non-swimmer area of reasonably shallow water and can swim, or are wearing approved armbands, it is likely that one adult can safely look after either two children, where one or more is under the age of three, or three children, aged four to seven-years-old.

•  At what age can my son go swimming with his friends, without an adult?

Contact the swimming pool and check its admission policy, as each pool varies.