How to Give Kids Swimming Lessons

If your kids love to play near water, chances are you've thought about swimming lessons. Many kids aren't taught proper swimming skills, which would help prevent accidental drownings. Here's some basic guidelines for teaching kids to swim.

Instructions

1. Introduce the kids to basic water safety. Introduce lessons such as no running near the water and always tell someone that you're going near a pool. Every kid should know she should never swim alone. Discuss the buddy system and how always swimming with someone will help keep her safe.

2. Take lessons on first aid and CPR with your older kids. Some younger kids might be ready for basic first aid too. You'll have to decide whether your kid can handle it. Basic first aid and CPR can increase children's confidence when going near water.

3. Buy water flotation devices sparingly and only to increase your kids' confidence. Flotation devices do have a place and can help a child learn to swim; but they can also give kids a false sense of security. Teach them to swim properly so they won't have to use these devices.

4. Teach basic swimming strokes. A good early stroke, after learning to float, is the dog paddle. Most kids can achieve good swimming skills with this early swimming move. Other good beginning strokes to teach in the swimming lessons include the backstroke and front crawl.

5. Start in shallow water and move slowly into the deeper waters as the child progresses. Teach kids lessons of how breathing can help them become buoyant on the water. Have the children practice blowing air out of their noses whenever they put their face in the water.

6. Practice swimming with your child. You are your kid's most personal role model. They may be more apt to enjoy swimming and want to practice if they see their parents swimming.

7. Get professional help. Check out a local YMCA, American Red Cross or one of the local community centers with a pool to see if they offer beginning swim lessons. Often, they allow families to take family swimming lessons. This helps increase a kid's confidence and keeps them safe with their families too.

Tips & Warnings

• Have the children hold onto the edge of the pool in the shallow end and kick their legs behind them. This helps show them how they are supposed to be kicking along with the arm movements when they swim.