A simple lesson plan, combined with patience and support, is the right approach to teaching a child how to swim. While not every child is going to have a complete blast, try following these relatively common-sense steps to ensure your child has a safe and enjoyable time at the pool.
Instructions
- Hold the child beneath the armpits and walk him around in the water to develop a feeling of comfort in an aquatic environment. Smile and talk to demonstrate that this new place is fun and interesting.
- Get the child to kick his legs. Have him hold onto the side of the pool so you can guide his legs. Then do it with your hands beneath his armpits to develop the feeling of motion. With older children, use a kickboard.
- Blow bubbles in the water with the child as he kicks to get him used to putting his face in the water. Gradually begin dunking him down to practice holding his breath. Accompany the child underwater and play underwater games to get him to open his eyes.
- Support the child around his waist or chest and begin having him stroke with his arms. Demonstrate the motion yourself, and then guide the child’s arms. Then let him do it on his own while you support him in the water. Have him keep kicking.
- Have the child swim a short distance from the wall to you. Begin at a very short distance, so that he can almost jump the span at first. Gradually increase the distance.
- Demonstrate to the child how to breathe by lifting or turning his head as the distance from you to him gets far enough to necessitate this.
- Instruct the child to jump into the pool from the side with you there to catch him at first, and then increase the distance so that he must jump and swim.
Have a wonderful day and please let me know if you need anything.
