How to Teach a Child to Swim

Video Transcript

"Hi, this is Phil and Callie, and this is how to teach a child how to swim. The first thing you want to remember when working with a child, is to remember what it was like to be a child. Only at that point can you really understand the fears that children go through in new environments, new activities, and with new people. So when you're adjusting to the water, the best way to hold a child is underneath the armpits, just like this. This will help acquaint the child with water, and make them feel more secure. Once you have them underneath the armpits, you can just kind of hold them around, keeping their body on top of the water. Do you feel comfortable? Yeah? You afraid to talk? That's okay. And then they'll just glide around on the top of the water, just like that. The next thing that I like to do working with children, is to go ahead and teach them first on how to hold their breath. And by doing this, we just ask them to go....and make big giant cheeks. Can you make your big giant cheeks? Go....and then when you count to three, go underwater. So, big giant cheeks, holding your breath, and one, two, three. How was it? (I don't know.) It was pretty good. And then they know how to hold their breath. From that point, you want to try working with bubbles, which can be a lot of fun for children, but then it also can be a little bit tough and difficult. So when you first teach 'em how to blow bubbles, it'll be something to this effect. We'll go ahead and put our mouths just at the top of the water, Miss Cal. And that way, they don't have to put their nose in the water, or their eyes, which some children might have certain fears of. Once we do that, we can do a "ring around the rosy" song, and go "splashes, splashes, we all blow bubbles". And then we'll just go with that portion, is that okay? Can we blow bubbles? (Yep) Okay, so we'll go, "splashes, splashes, we all blow bubbles." Incorporating fun activities in your teaching programs or in your lesson plan working with children, makes the experience that much more fun and engaging for children. Especially when they get a little bit cold and a little bit restless. You can also go ahead and go on with back floats, by putting their heads on your shoulder, teaching them straight leg, pointed toe kicks, and then glides. To learn more, please contact your local swim instructor for more information and tips on how to work with your child in the water."