Tips For Teaching Your Kids To Swim

October 15, 2015 - 2 min read

These tips are for consideration only. Before teaching your kids to swim, please consult a trained swimming instructor. Find one on LocalSearch. Tips For Teaching Infants To Swim Getting your baby used to water early on will help make sure they are comfortable in the water. Here are some top tips to remember when putting […]


These tips are for consideration only. Before teaching your kids to swim, please consult a trained swimming instructor. Find one on LocalSearch.


Tips For Teaching Infants To Swim

Baby Swimming
Getting your baby used to water early on will help make sure they are comfortable in the water. Here are some top tips to remember when putting your child in the pool:

  • Keep your baby in your arms at all time.
  • Make sure you have switched a regular nappy with a swimming nappy to avoid ‘accidents’ in the pool, which can be dangerous to other swimmers.
  • Store rescue and first-aid equipment near the pool at all times.

Teach Your Child To Float

Swimming
The first thing you need to teach your child in the water is how to float. Teaching them how to float early on will help ensure your little-one knows what to do in case of an emergency, how to stay calm and keep their head above water.


Teach Your Child To Blow Bubbles

Swimming
Your child will need to get used to having water on their face. Ensure you keep hold of your child and show them how to place their mouth in the water to blow bubbles. This exercise can help prevent your child from swallowing water when submerged.


Teach Your Child To Kick

Swimming
Help your child hold onto the side of the pool and kick their legs, keeping the legs straight and alternating. If they are scared at first, you can support their stomach and chest.


After Your Child Masters The Basics

Swimming 4
When your child can comfortably float, blow bubbles and kick, kick, kick, it’s time to move into some more swimming basics:

  • Being able to hold their breath underwater, starting from a few seconds.
  • Comfortably paddling in the shallow end of the pool.
  • Easily going from standing to floating and swimming without help.

If Your Child Is Afraid Of The Water

Swimming
A big body of water can be scary. If your child is afraid of the pool, or is hesitant about swimming, there are a few things you can do to encourage them to join you in the water.

  • Play in the pool by yourself. If your child can see you’re having fun in the pool and are perfectly safe, this may encourage them to want to come in. Just make sure they are in a safe place while they watch.
  • Sit on the edge of the pool. Splashing your feet in the water while seating on the edge of the pool will help them get used to the feeling of water.
  • Visit a parent and child swimming class to help them get used to the water.

For professional swimming lessons, check out these Rockhampton swim schools and coaches.


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