Children are not developmentally ready for formal swimming lessons until after their fourth birthday, states an updated policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). According to the AAP, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the pediatric age group. In the United States, drowning rates are highest among toddlers ages 1 through 2 years old. In Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury and death in this age group. While an estimated 5 to 10 million infants and preschool children participate in aquatic programs, these should not be promoted as a way to decrease the risk of drowning, the AAP says. It also says parents should not feel secure that their child is safe in water or safe from drowning after participating in an aquatic program. "Whenever infants and toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within an arm's length, providing 'touch supervision,'" the AAP says.