Early instruction may help prevent drowning in young children, the second leading cause of death in youth under 19 years of age. When you begin teaching your child to swim, remember to have realistic expectations. Most young children have not yet developed the motor skills required for strong swimming skills. Concentrate instead on games that emphasize water enjoyment and skills that would help increase confidence in the water.
THIS LEARNING STAGE OF SWIMMING IS ALL ABOUT WATER CONFIDENCE AND STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT
Start in shallow water, preferably at a level where your child can stand and sit with his head above water. You always want to start playing games in order to emphasize fun.
THIS LEARNING STAGE OF SWIMMING IS ALL ABOUT WATER CONFIDENCE AND STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT
Start in shallow water, preferably at a level where your child can stand and sit with his head above water. You always want to start playing games in order to emphasize fun.
INTRODUCTION TO BODY POSITION (STARFISH FLOATS
Teach a starfish float on their front by supporting your child's arms with your arms stretched in front of you with your child facing you. Encourage them to stretch out their arms and legs to the sides like a starfish, and when ready blow bubbles in the water. As time goes on encourage blowing bubbles for longer.
Teach a starfish float on their back by supporting your child's back on your arms.. Allow them to lean back and rest their head on your shoulders. Encourage them to look in your eyes and relax their neck.
Teach your child to roll over from a front float to a back float by turning the left arm and leg up into the air.
Teach a starfish float on their back by supporting your child's back on your arms.. Allow them to lean back and rest their head on your shoulders. Encourage them to look in your eyes and relax their neck.
Teach your child to roll over from a front float to a back float by turning the left arm and leg up into the air.
INTRODUCTION TO LEG KICK
Sit your child on the side of the pool and teach them to kick their feet on the surface of the water.
Hold your child under the armpits in chest-deep water and play motorboat by walking backward in a circle and encourage them to blow bubbles and kick his feet.
Hold your child under the armpits in chest-deep water and play motorboat by walking backward in a circle and encourage them to blow bubbles and kick his feet.
INTRODUCTION TO BREATHING
Hold your child under the armpits in chest-deep water and instruct them to take a breath and hold it on the count of three. At three, submerge both yourself and your child under water.
PUSH AND GLIDE
Introduce the push and glide. Instruct your child to place their hands over their head, and sitting on the wall. Then get your child to push off the wall out towards the adult. As they improve on the glide introduce a kick.
JUMPING IN
Sit your child on the side of the pool and help them to jump in; by holding them under the armpits and assisting them into the water. As they grow comfortable with this skill, try it from a standing position. This can help a child to overcome a fear of falling in the water.
TREADING WATER
Teach you child how to tread water. Support your child from under their arms and tell them to move their arms like paddles and kick their legs up and down to keep themselves up in the water. Hold onto them until they are ready to try treading on their own and even then, stay right beside them to assist him if they get tired or have difficulty.
GAMES (VERY IMPORTANT IN PROMOTING WATER CONFIDENCE)
Sing songs and teach your child to splash and blow bubbles (ring a ring a Rosie & humpty dumpty are good for promoting getting the face in the water.
Place dive toys on the ground in shallow water and encourage your child to pick them up. Instruct them to blow bubbles at the surface of the water while they bend to retrieve the objects.
Place dive toys on the ground in shallow water and encourage your child to pick them up. Instruct them to blow bubbles at the surface of the water while they bend to retrieve the objects.
Teaching your child basic water safety skills does not guarantee safety around water, even if your child loves the water or partakes in swimming lessons. Stay vigilant when around water with young children