How to Teach your Child to Swim.

Kids usually start swimming around the age of 3; however, some do not take to the water as well. Here are some tips to get your child swimming.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bath tub
• Water
• Pool

1. GETTING STARTED: The best way to start getting your child accustom to the water is in the bath tub. Start by teaching the child to hold their breath under the water. Plug their nose the first few times to get them used to going under and holding their breath.

2. BLOWING OUT: In the bath tub, teach the child how to blow out of their nose while going under the water. Make sure they are filling up their lungs with air and blowing out of their nose while going under the water.

3. TAKE THEM TO THE POOL: Take the child to the swimming pool to start practicing what they have learned in the bath tub. Let them go under while blowing out of their nose. Have them swim a few feet to you under the water. Make sure to stay right with them the entire time they are in or near the water.

4. HAVE THE CHILD RETRIEVE OBJECTS: Have the child retrieve objects, such as pennies, in shallow water (2 & 1/2 or 3 ft. water). This teaches the child to open their eyes and see under water, which is good for them to know for their safety in the water.

5. SWIMMING LESSONS: Swimming lessons are an excellent way to feel confident in your child's swimming ability. After a couple summers of lessons you will feel more confident in leaving them unattended while they swim.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember in these steps, only go as fast as the child is comfortable going.
• Always use your best judgement and never make the child do anything they don't want to do.
• Have fun with your child!
• Never leave a child that cannot swim unattended or with another child in or near water.
• Never hold or force a child's head under water, let them go at their own pace.
• Always use the highest level of caution when teaching a child to swim.
• Be aware that a child can drown in 2 inches of water.

[Oktobers]

on 7/24/2008 I'm defanty going to use this tips for my daughter

[elexiapatterson]

on 7/21/2008 Safety first! Thanks!

[only1special1]

on 7/21/2008 Thanks!

[ellischristina]

on 7/20/2008 All children should learn to swim and water safety. Accidents can happen in a second and prevention can save young lives! Thanks for posting.

[AskaMakeupGuru]

on 7/19/2008 Good advice! Since I didn't learn until I was a teenager!