Teaching Pre-Swimming Skills to Toddlers
Basic Prerequisites for Children Learning to Swim
Jun 2, 2009
As excited as parents get to teach their toddler or young child to swim, they have a few pre-swimming skills to teach before they can start giving lessons on the doggy paddle and the sidestroke.
These lessons can begin as early as two years old, and will equip kids with the necessary physical and emotional skills to begin swimming with confidence when they're ready.
Get Children Comfortable With Water
The most important prerequisite for learning to swim is a comfort level in the water. Parents should spend as much time as possible with children in the pool, holding them in their arms as they bob, glide, and splash. Associating water with fun gets a child ready to swim. Introducing fun pool toys like beach balls, pool rings, squirt guns, and water noodles also facilitates water play.
Even without regular access to a pool, kids can get plenty of exposure to immersion in water. Splashing in the bathtub, wading in a creek, visiting a water park, or running through a sprinkler in the backyard are all good ideas for getting kids ready to swim.
Helping Kids Practice Putting Their Faces Underwater
Once children are comfortable with being in the water, it's time to teach them a very important skill necessary for swimming: putting their face under water. Some kids have no problem with this and others may take months to even consider the idea. Let the child determine the pace of the lessons.
Here are some methods for teaching a child to submerge his face in water:
- Be a motorboat. Parents can crouch down until the water covers their mouth and let their child watch them walk forward while blow bubbles underwater. Then hold the child while he or she tries it. Before children attempt it, just make sure they begin blowing and before sticking their face in the water or they may suck in a big mouthful of water.
- Hold them while bobbing up and down. Each time, bob a little farther until the child is comfortable going beneath the water for a moment before coming back up.
- Catch children as they jump from the poolside. If they seem ready, try letting them go farther underwater before catching them. Eventually they may be able to go fully underwater for a bit before pulling them up.
- Have regular contests. Praise children for how far they can go underwater, and see if they can beat their old records. They may begin by just putting their mouth under the water, but may eventually feel comfortable submerging their nose and eyes in time.
- Try to retrieve the toys. Gather some water-safe toys that do not float and throw them in a shallow area of the pool, about waist-level for the child. See if children can reach the toys, putting their face under the water briefly in the process.
Learn Basic Swimming Positions
Though it may be a while before a child can actually swim on his or her own, it's never too early to teach basic swimming positions. Parents can teach children how to kick and paddle while holding them by the waist. Toddlers will be thrilled to "swim" with mom or dad's help.
Parents can also teach young children the back float position. Ask children to stretch out like they're lying on a bed on top of the pool. By pushing up their bellies, they can "float" with a parent supporting the small of their back. Eventually, they will be able to float independently.
Before they begin actual swimming lessons, kids and toddlers need to gain confidence in the water. Parent involvement is essential in getting them comfortable with water and mastering beginning swimming basics.
Readers should also see "Pool Safety for Children" to learn ways to keep their toddler safe while swimming.
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