Author ：Jun Dai
Swimming is fun, yet as we often say, teaching swimming to kids is a vital safety skill. This is a great way to increase their comfort, skill and safety in the water. Swimming is also considered a foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle your little one is about to lead.
However, mastering the waters needs to be done with the right support and guidance. Though we often hear that it’s never too early to learn to swim, there are precautions and safety steps you need to take as parents to make sure your child is learning to swim correctly and safely. This guide talks about the strategies and tips you can use to teach swimming to kids at every age, emphasizing safety and fun. Let’s dive in:
Remember, swim lessons don’t make your kids “drown-proof”. So, no matter what age your kid is, you must prioritise safety. Below are some universal guidelines you need to follow despite the child’s age or swimming ability when getting into the pool.
Constant Supervision:
Always supervise children closely when they are in or near water. Drowning can happen quickly and silently.
Pool Safety:
Ensure the pool area is secure with gates that self-close and self-latch. The gates should be at least four feet high and out of children's reach.
Life Jackets:
Use life jackets instead of inflatable swimming aids like floaties. This is because floaties can provide a false sense of security.
Learn CPR:
Parents and caregivers should be trained in CPR and first aid.
Avoidance of Floaties:
We will not recommend floaties to kids as they can give a false sense of security. If a flotation device is needed, opt for a certified brand like a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Formal swimming lessons are not recommended for infants under 1. Yet, it's beneficial to introduce them to water through play. You can help them get used to the sensation of water by pouring a small, steady stream of water on the baby’s head. Use bath time to get babies comfortable with water by allowing them to splash and play. You can also take part in parent-child water play classes. These classes focus on water safety and getting the baby accustomed to being in the water without the pressure of learning to swim.
At this stage, you let your toddler get comfortable in the water by introducing basic water skills instead of teaching them to swim. You can encourage your toddlers to blow bubbles in the water to help them get used to having their faces near or in the water. You can use games to make water fun, such as playing with floating toys or encouraging them to reach for objects in the water.
Apart from this, you can also enrol your 3-year-old in a swimming lesson to learn supported floating. This refers to helping your little one float on his back or stomach with someone’s support so that they feel the buoyancy and resistance of the water. A precaution you need to take here is, not to submerge your child underwater as he can swallow large amounts of water, which can be dangerous.
Preschoolers are often ready for more structured swim lessons and can start learning basic swimming skills that focus on building confidence in the water. Your kid can now enrol in a formal swimming lesson as they are now developing more coordination. At Aqua Artist, we teach skills like floating independently, submerging and resurfacing, and basic arm and leg coordination in this stage.
You can use games to reinforce skills, such as diving for rings or playing "red light, green light" while kicking. By the time they are 3, they may be able to do these things with little help from you. Nevertheless, constant supervision is still a must. With all these, continue to stress the importance of water safety, ensuring they understand the need for supervision and not swimming alone.
As children grow, they can handle more advanced swimming techniques and longer swim sessions. Our swimming classes for kids can help your school-goers focus on teaching strokes such as the front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke. These classes can help build their endurance by gradually increasing the swim distances to build their water confidence. We teach children how to tread water and perform self-rescue skills, such as swimming to the side and exiting the pool safely. You can also incorporate fun drills and games that challenge their skills and keep them engaged.
Older children and teenagers can refine their techniques and take on more complex swimming challenges by this stage. We can teach advanced strokes like butterfly stroke and improve the efficiency of basic strokes.
By this age, you can help them focus on building endurance and speed through structured swim practices and even encourage them to participate in swim teams or clubs to provide a structured environment and goal-setting for competitive swimming. They can also learn advanced water safety and rescue skills, including recognising and responding to water emergencies.
By this age, you can help them focus on building endurance and speed through structured swim practices and even encourage them to participate in swim teams or clubs to provide a structured environment and goal-setting for competitive swimming. They can also learn advanced water safety and rescue skills, including recognising and responding to water emergencies.
Gradual Exposure to Water:
Some kids have aquaphobia. We try acclimating these kids to water gradually by starting with shallow water and then slowly increasing the exposure. Our instructors employ positive reinforcement and patience throughout the way.
Using Goggles:
We direct children to wear goggles to help them feel more comfortable underwater by allowing them to see clearly.
Positive Reinforcement:
We encourage our students by celebrating their small achievements and provide continuous encouragement to build confidence.
Regular Practice:
Parents can make sure to create swimming a regular activity to build familiarity and comfort in the water.
By following age-appropriate teaching methods and prioritising safety, you can help your child develop a love for swimming while ensuring they are well-prepared for any water-related activities. At Aqua Artist, we offer swimming classes tailored to toddlers from age 3, preschoolers, school children, kids, teens, and even adults. Our certified instructors focus on creating a supportive and engaging environment for swimmers of all ages and skill levels.
Don’t wait—join Aqua Artist today and give your child the gift of swimming. Contact us to know more!