7 Tips For Teaching Kids To Swim

I may have been compensated for this post. Please keep in mind that it affects you in no way financially. If an item is being reviewed, I am not obligated to give a positive review and always use my own words. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. If you would like a review done contact Dannelle at op40k@aol.com

It’s that time of year again where families everywhere are hitting the pool or beach for time swimming. These 7 Tips For Teaching Kids To Swim will make all the difference in the world as you head out with your family for fun in the sun. Knowing how to swim is so important for their safety as well as your peace of mind.

7 Tips For Teaching Kids To Swim

Introduce them to water in small amounts. Start slowly. Don’t take them immediately to the ocean with no experience in a pool or smaller body of water. Large areas without boundaries can be scary, as well as overwhelming. Introduce your kids to the water in small increments that they can manage. A local pool is a great place to start. A calm lake with a sizable shallow area is also an excellent choice.

Don’t tell scary water stories. This may seem silly, but it really can cause fear with kids. If you got water in your nose, had someone dunk you or almost drown as a child, now is not the time to bring those things up. Avoid the fear and help them to be excited and relaxed about swimming by only sharing positive things.

Don’t press them if they are uncomfortable. Never force a child into the water when they don’t want to go. Their discomfort must be addressed. If they are afraid, embarrassed or uncertain being forced to try new things is only going to result in more upset. Let this be something they learn on their time, not yours.

Practice regularly. Practice makes perfect in nearly every area of our lives. Make sure your kids are practicing swimming throughout the year as applicable. Starting slowly and learning each step along the way is important. They are not going to take off like an Olympic swimmer on the first day. They can however learn proper breathing techniques, how to kick their feet and even how to float.

Have the proper equipment. All you really need is a swimsuit and water, but for beginner swimmers there are other things that bring safety and comfort. Ear plugs to avoid swimmers ear are always a plus. Proper life vest for the first few sessions so your child can get use to the motions before trying them on their own. Goggles are also a bonus that will help if they like to keep their eyes open under water.

Let them lead you. There are many methods that tell you to teach them specific things each time they get in the water. While those methods work great, letting your child lead at their pace and comfort level often has much more success. It goes back to an earlier tip. Don’t make them uncomfortable or press them. Let them lead.

Invest in lessons. If you feel like you can’t effectively teach them proper water safety and how to swim on your own, make the investment for lessons. It is much better to be safe than sorry. Keep your kids safe by making sure you have given them the best foundation for swimming you can.

These tips for teaching kids to swim aren’t lessons on teaching, but reminders of how to manage your child and this experience with the best results. Keeping your kids safe around water is top on the list of summer safety tips that you should keep in mind.