Ferris wheels: benefits or dangers?
While parents and professionals work hard to ensure the safety of little ones in the water, there are products on the market that, while appearing to be beneficial, can have a negative impact on the child’s physical and psychological development. One such product is the floatation wheel. These aids provide a momentary sense of security, but do they really help a baby develop and learn to swim? Or are they just interfering with natural body movements, swimming skills and emotional development?
The effect of paddle wheels on children’s swimming skills: why can they be harmful?
- One of the main disadvantages of floatation wheels is that they force the child to hold an upright position in the water. This is not the natural position of the human body when swimming. The horizontal position, where the child is on his/her stomach or back, is important for swimming technique, and tools such as the wheels force the body to be upright. This prevents the child from performing the natural movements required for swimming. It is also common for children to start using irregular leg movements that resemble pedalling a bicycle, which are also not useful for the development of swimming technique.
- A paddlewheel placed on the neck can have a negative effect on the muscles of the head and neck. The child’s head is tilted back, which is not a natural position for the spine. This head-back position can put the neck muscles and joints at risk, as they are not yet adapted to such a load. In addition, the wheel puts a lot of pressure on the sensitive area of the neck, where vital blood vessels and nerves are located, and this measure can pinch them.
- Children using wheels cannot move their heads freely and cannot coordinate their movements. This limits their ability to observe their surroundings and improve their coordination skills. During swimming, it is essential that the child is able to move freely and control his/her body, which is hampered by these devices.
- In the water, body weight is reduced, but this does not mean that the body relaxes completely. Using a floatation wheel adds an extra load as the body is pulled downwards. This effect is particularly dangerous for babies, whose musculoskeletal system is still developing and is not ready for such a load.
- Children want to feel close and safe because it is important for their psychological and emotional development. The circle of distraction, which separates the child from the environment, does not allow for natural contact with parents or professionals. This physiological and emotional connection is essential for the child to feel safe, especially in an unfamiliar environment. Moreover, by using wheels, we not only deprive the child of the opportunity to feel his or her body in the water, but also limit his or her natural curiosity and desire to explore the environment.
- Swimming wheels and any other swimming aids create a false sense of security. One might think that a paddlewheel fully protects a child from dangers in the water, but this is not entirely true. Although paddling wheels provide some buoyancy, they do not give adequate control over the child’s body in the water. A child can capsize in the water, even with aids. In addition, some developed countries have banned floatation wheels due to the number of drownings recorded.
In summary, why avoid flying wheels? Although paddlewheels provide a short-term sense of security for parents, they have a detrimental effect on a child’s swimming skills and physical development. Children who use aids learn to swim later than those who do not. There is no evidence that floatation aids have a positive effect and most experts recommend avoiding them as they can cause both physiological and psychological problems. It is important that the child develops naturally with the help and care of an adult, but without the need for additional tools that may restrict his movements and development.
