How to Teach Your Child a Beginning Swim Lesson

In this article you'll learn step by step how to effectively teach your child (typically age 3 years and above) beginning swim lessons...without the time and cost of group or private lessons!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• You'll need access to a pool, basic swim skills, swim suits, a noodle or kick board, and some water toys such as balls or rings. Make sure to always use sunscreen when swimming outdoors!

1. Enter the shallow end of the pool with your child. If there are steps in the shallow end, begin the lesson there as a beginner will feel more comfortable. If your child is afraid to enter the water do not force her to cooperate or physically pull her in. Give her as much time as she needs to enter the water without fear.

2. Once she has entered the shallow water begin by having her hold onto the edge of the pool. Have the child get her hair and face wet by doing "bobs". While holding the edge of the pool and facing the wall, have the child vertically dunk her face and hair under the water. Do about 5-6 repetitions. If the child is too small to hold the edge, have the child stay on the stairs and hold the top step with both hands and blow bubbles.

3. After the warm-up, have the child begin the lesson by kicking. Facing the child, hold her under the arms or use the kick board/noodle. Walk away from the wall and encourage the child to make big splashes with her feet. Walk about halfway across the pool and then return to the wall. Do 3-4 reps of the kicking exercise.

4. Add "big" arms! Have the child hold the step or wall. Encourage the child to make a half circle with each arm, returning the hand back to the wall or step. Once she has practiced at the wall, face the child. Hold the child's hands in your hands. Have the child begin to kick. As she is kicking encourage her to make the same type of half circle and return her hand to your hand. These are what we call "big" arms! Continue about halfway across the pool and then return to the wall. Repeat 3-4 times, as necessary.

5. Floating. Hold the child lightly under her head with one of your hands. Have her close her eyes and lay as still as possible, allowing her back, stomach, legs and feet to float to the top of the water. Have her lay quietly for as long as possible. Once she is a little more advanced you will be able to allow her to float on her own, without the support of your hand. Floating is one of the most important safety lessons in swimming. If your child can float, you can instruct them to immediately do this if they accidentally fall into a pool.

6. End your lesson with toys or jumping. Using the rings, you can have the child try to grab a ring underwater from the steps. You can throw a ball and, with your help, have the child use her "big" arms and kicks to get the ball. Having the child jump from the edge of the pool to your arms might be a little scary for a beginner. You can have the child jump from the steps to you. That concludes your child's first swim lesson!

Tips & Warnings

• Use patience when teaching your child to swim. Never force her. She may be very frightened and in order to complete one of these steps, it may take an entire lesson.
• Time lessons to be about 30 minutes long. Use 5-10 minutes of warm-ups and 5 or so minutes for play time at the end.
• Good luck and most of all have fun!
• Always go over safety of the pool with your child. Never have your child run near the pool or enter it without you.
• Do not take your eyes off your child for a second. As a mom, and a former lifeguard and swim instructor, I know that children will try to be as independent as possible in the pool.
• Go over what to do if the child were to ever fall in the pool (i.e. immediately turning on her back to float and calling for help).
• If you do not know how to swim or do not feel comfortable in the water, do not attempt to teach your child. Leave it to a professional.