How to Teach Your Child to Be a Confident Swimmer

Swimming is a skill that can help any child be more healthy and fit. Swimming skills also help children be safe around water. There are pools that run swimming lessons for children as young as six months old. The American Association of Pediatrics advocates lessons as early as age one, although it also says parents should decide if their child is developmentally ready for swimming as children develop at different rates and not every toddler will be ready for swimming at such a young age.

Things You'll Need

• Swimwear
• Floats
• Kickboard
• Rubber ring

Instructions

First Stages

1. 

   Let your child choose her swimwear.

   Help your child choose their own swimwear. If they are happy to put it on, they are more likely to be happy in the water. The happier your child is in the water, the more confident they are likely to be and the easier it will be for them to improve their skills.

2. 

   Give your child confidence in the water.

   Use the steps at the side of the pool to help the child to gain confidence. Show your child that he can be in the water without being held, but can be confident that the floor is within reach.

3. 

   Teach your child to blow bubbles. This will show her how to stop water from going up her nose, which will help build the confidence needed to put her face in the water.

4. 

   Encourage your child to swim underwater.

   Allow your child to get his whole face wet. This will give them the confidence not to fear the water and build them up to going underwater.

5. 

   Use armbands or rubber ring to help build confidence.

   Practice kicking while holding on to the side of the pool. When the child feels confident with that, support her yourself so that she can get the feeling of being in motion. Using a rubber ring, and then armbands, will also help her gain more confidence. Older children can use a kickboard.

6. 

   Work on kicking and and arm movements.

   Start to work on arm movements once he has the hang of kicking. Then practice synchronising the kicking and arm movements together. Allow the child to do more on their own as they gain confidence.

Tips & Warnings

• Make swimming fun for your child. Don't get frustrated if he is slow at picking up different skills. Try a range of different activities to keep him interested.

• Swimming is safe, but water can be dangerous. Keep an eye on your child all the time. The AAP says that parents should choose swimming classes that emphasise water safety and allow parents or another adult to be in the water at the same time.

References

• My Child: Teaching a Child to Swim
• Parents: Teach Your Child to Swim
• Pediatricians approve swimming lessons for babies

Resources

• Waterproof Kids: Welcome to Waterproof Kids