How to Safely and Efficiently Teach Your Child to Swim (Ages Four and Up)

As a summer lifeguard, I’ve seen many parents attempt to teach their children to swim…unsuccessfully. For most parents, the primary tactic used to teach their little darlings is to simply put them out where they’ll be forced to swim, where they eventually call for help. As you can probably guess, I’m not a huge fan of this tactic. So, if you’re looking to really teach your kids how to swim, follow my advice.

…….Do any of the things listed directly bellow (until I say so.) If you find yourself doing any of the following, reconsider teaching your children how to swim and instead find an instructor. Otherwise, stop doing these things because they are dangerous, rude and/or completely irresponsible.

Do Not Leave Your Child Alone

This should really be a no-brainer. If your kid can’t swim, watch him or her like a falcon. Furthermore, stay within arms reach. I can’t even count how many times I’ve had to jump in for some lone child of less than five years of age. If you ever do this at a public pool or lake, expect to be asked to leave.

Do Not Trust Any PFD Unit

Chances are, your kid won’t learn how to swim if he or she is strapped to a PFD unit of any sort. Furthermore, PFD units are not to be completely trusted. It is very possible and even easy to flip them over. Since most toddlers cannot flip themselves back over, they will most likely drown.

Do Not Have Children Swim with a Dog

I love man’s best friend! Dogs are lovable, kind, and have even been known to save drowning victims. As most people don’t know, they have also been known to drown children! You see, your furry little friend loves your son or daughter just enough to smother him or her. Dogs can submerge children, being none the wiser as to what they are actually doing to them.

Do Not Begin Teaching Too Early

Sure, your child might be able to swim effortlessly by the age of two or three, but only under the guidance of a professional instructor. I would highly suggest you don’t even consider beginning to teach until after four years of age. As a rule of thumb, if a child can’t call for help, don’t put him or her to the test. Instead, teach your children water tolerance during baths by pouring water over their heads.

Do Not Aggravate the General Public

As I said in the introduction, do not try to force your kid to swim, especially at someone else’s expense. Sure, I’m willing to jump in and save a life, but I would really rather not. I once twisted my ankle, sprinted half way across a beach (100 meters) and got to a child “learning” to swim. I didn’t know whether to tell the parent to go find an instructor or put her son up for adoption.

Do Not Be Impatient

You’re dealing with a child so it’s going to take time. Try to teach in small increments as often as possible. If you follow my advice in the upcoming paragraphs, you should be able to successfully teach the lil’ uns to swim both independently and majestically. Still, do not leave them alone. Every person, whether a child or an adult, should have a swimming buddy at all times. Preferably, have a trained rescuer present as well, especially for children.

Now that all of the painfully careless mistakes have been identified, we actually get to cover proper techniques. Since I’m not looking for a lawsuit, let me advise you that you are teaching your child at your own expense. If something goes wrong, I am not liable for the death or injury of your child. I will always advise getting a proper instructor and am only giving advice. Check with your pediatrician before teaching. You might want to also consider taking a CPR course if you haven’t already. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Put On Some Sunscreen

Assuming you’re outside, put on SPF of 35 or better. I would certainly suggest a higher SPF because a child’s skin is sensitive to the sun’s rays. A toddler tan won’t impress anyone.

Teach Water Tolerance and Proper Breathing

If you keep your child held against you while swimming in earlier years, he or she might learn to enjoy the water. Likewise, baths (without soap) can make a child inclined towards swimming. Try to give your kids a bath with rubber ducks and other floating toys. When they go to the pool for the first time, they’ll associate the water with fun. Once you get them used to the water, try bobbing them up and down without moving their heads bellow the water’s surface (surface of water from chin to chest.) This will teach them to keep their head up to breath while simultaneously getting them used to movement. They’ll figure out other techniques later.

Walk With Them

Gliding your children through the water will impart security in them. Once they’re ready to learn how to swim, they’ll be accustomed to moving already and might even find more enjoyment in doing so. Pretend you’re moving them through the water like a plane and they’ll love you more for it.

Use the Steps

Steps on a pool, as well as edges to a pool are great tools for leg exercises. Your kids can hang on to the ledge (with you near them) and kick their legs, simultaneously building power in them and making them accustomed to manipulating water. They’ll realize not to avoid the water’s resistance, but instead embrace the force exerted by it, allowing them to swim.

Arm Exercises

Splashing games are popular, especially amongst boys. The idea here is that if the child is exerting enough force to throw water into the air, he or she will be able to exert force to keep afloat. This is one of the easiest methods to teach the concept of forces (not in a comprehensive sense) to children. They’ll adapt to moving the water around them which is the ultimate goal.

Play Games

Make them chase you. The more movement in the water, the more they’ll realize resistances. Get a game of marco polo going and they’ll be used to moving in water in no time. Another great idea is to throw down sinking rings in the shallow end. They’ll feel inclined to retrieve them and this will give them motivation to fully submerge. In other words, they won’t be afraid to go under and try out new techniques. It will also improve breathing.

Try New Things

Don’t get them into a doggy paddle dependency. Challenge them to try different strokes and show examples. You do not want to teach a uniformed style of swimming, but an adaptable homeliness to the water. A person should be able to freestyle in the water and still stay afloat. Granted proper technique is important for races and such, proper technique should not always be necessary.

In Conclusion

Do your best and they’ll eventually get it. Adapt to your children and their needs and enjoy yourself. This should not be a strenuous experience for either you or your children. Keep what I’ve written in mind and look into other techniques, and you’ll get there.