CHILDREN under five who have swimming lessons develop better language, literacy and numeracy skills and are likely to be more prepared for the transition to school, according to a Griffith University study.

The four-year study surveyed almost 7000 parents of children from Australia, New Zealand and the United States and independently assessed 177 children aged three, four and five.

Unsurprisingly, it found children who had early-years swimming lessons performed better in tests of some physical skills, although not ball-handling.

However, lead author Professor Robyn Jorgensen said what was surprising and of interest to parents, educators and policymakers, was that these children also scored significantly better in literacy, numeracy, mathematical reasoning, visual motor skills (cutting paper, drawing lines, colouring in) and oral expression.

''It does appear that children who participate in swimming are achieving a range of milestones earlier than normal populations,'' Professor Jorgensen said in the interim report of Early-Years Swimming: Adding Capital to Young Australians.