Tips for Teaching Children to Swim

Being comfortable in the water is one of the most important life skills that your child should be taught. Not only is it the key to avoiding drownings but it also introduces them to a healthy past time. This activity is also excellent for your child because it is beneficial for their mental health. An experiment conducted by the BBC seems to indicate that individuals who swam on a regular basis were better able to deal with the problems in their lives and had increased levels of overall happiness. Fortunately, this is a life skill that is easily taught.

What Is the Best Age to Teach Them?

It can take a few years for children to learn how to be entirely comfortable around water. However, there is no principal reason why you cannot enrol them for lessons as young as six months old. Keep it in mind that it can take them a few years to master the skill entirely.

The general rule of thumb is to enter them into lessons as soon as possible. Kids between the ages of one and four who have been taught to be confident around the pool are 88% less likely to drown. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19255386) Although it is incredibly important to begin teaching this life skill as soon as possible, it can be quite harrowing to watch. Many parents will avoid sending their precious little ones for lessons because they do not feel like they will be able to watch them in the pool. However, it is crucial that they attend classes like this so that they learn the basic. The ultimate decision is up to you when you decide to send your little one for lessons.

Can You Teach Your Child?

Most parents are perfectly capable of teaching their infants and small kids how to swim by themselves. However, it may be an excellent step to place them in the capable hands of an experienced instructor. This will help to save you from the anxiety of seeing them become familiar with the water and also ensures that they are taught all of the appropriate techniques to avoid drowning.

A qualified instructor will begin by helping your youngster to feel comfortable when they are submerged in the water. They will make the experience fun by playing with toys and singing songs. When they are completely at ease, the instructor will lock their arms around their necks and then slowly begin walking backwards with them. This will help to familiarize them with the sensation of moving through the water. Once they have mastered these basic skills, they will be taught to kick their legs and then eventually to swim entirely on their own and improve their confidence.