| Learning to swim is one of the big milestones for both | | | | arms, switch to holding them by their waist. This gives |
| kids and their parents. For parents who are planning to | | | | the kid more freedom to move while still keeping you |
| teach their kids to swim themselves instead of enrolling | | | | involved. Encourage the child to kick their legs and |
| them in a swimming class, remember that bad | | | | paddle with their arms. Move them around the pool as |
| experiences with water during childhood can | | | | they practice swimming with their limbs to get them |
| negatively affect a child's relationship to water for the | | | | used to the feeling and so they have a chance to |
| rest of their life. With that in mind, here are some tips | | | | experiment with breathing while swimming. Give them |
| on how to create a positive experience for everyone | | | | tips if they're open to them, but also remember that |
| involved when teaching kids to swim. | | | | most of the basics of swimming can (and perhaps |
| 1. Don't hurry children learning to swim - encourage but | | | | should) be learned independently. |
| don't push. Make sure you are in a good mood and | | | | 4. Show them how to float. Floating is a great way to |
| prepared to be both patient and supportive. Any | | | | learn to feel comfortable in water and is also a useful |
| teaching opportunity is a chance to further develop the | | | | safety technique. You can help your kid learn to float |
| trust and mutual respect in parent-child relationships, | | | | by starting in the shallow end and extending your |
| and with swimming in particular it is important to be | | | | hands, palms up, just under the surface of the water. |
| there for your kid. If your child is brand new to water, it | | | | Next, encourage your child to slowly fall back onto |
| will probably take more than one session to teach | | | | your hands. Have them push out their belly and arch |
| them to swim. | | | | their back; encourage them relax their neck and legs. |
| 2. Get into the water slowly. Don't start out in the deep | | | | Keep their hands under your child's back until they |
| end. Get into the shallow end with your child and have | | | | seems to be floating on their own; then, slowly lower |
| them practice swimming there. For young children, | | | | your hands from the child's back. |
| place your arms under the kid's armpits and guide | | | | 5. When your kid is ready, you should actively |
| them through the water. Trusting water and learning to | | | | encourage your child to start swimming on their own. |
| swim is a gradual process and doesn't happen all at | | | | Kids always need supervision when swimming, |
| once, so always be ready for your child to get scared | | | | especially when they have just learned. Stand in the |
| suddenly and need to grab onto you or go back to the | | | | deep end and have your child swim to you from the |
| shallow end. | | | | shallows. This way, your kid has a goal in mind and you |
| 3. Show them the basics of swimming. Once a child is | | | | can dole out comfort and congratulations when they |
| comfortable swimming with you guiding them under the | | | | have achieved it. |