Improve your child's swimming skills and comfort level around water by increasing their time at the pool or aquatic center. Increasing skills allows independence to grow and is a healthy form of cardiovascular exercise for children. Do not confuse swim lessons, the ability to form accurate swim strokes, with water safety, which includes staying afloat and treading water.
Step 1
Ensure your child is developmentally ready to learn basic swim strokes. Do not sign up children younger than 4; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons for children 4 and older. Understand children must have the neuromuscular capacity to properly form swim strokes.
Step 2
Be patient. Expand instructional time for children younger than 4. Use positive reinforcement, and make swimming an enjoyable experience. Never force children into or under the water if they are unwilling to participate or are scared. Praise competitive swimmers for persistence and effort, recommends USA Swimming. Never demand specific outcomes; always practice an upbeat attitude.
Step 3
Sign your child up for a swim club or team. Schools, YMCAs and health clubs often have teams divided by age groups. Allow children to learn the importance of teamwork and receive one-on-one instruction from a trained swim instructor. See whether private lessons are available for additional coaching.
Step 4
Demonstrate all strokes in shallow water. Have swimmers stand by and watch and slowly describe the arm and leg movements for each stroke. Explain the proper breathing method associated with each stroke. Allow students to demonstrate the stoke in shallow water before entering deeper areas of the pool. Repeat demonstrations several times if needed.
Step 5
Have your child tread water at the beginning of each swim session to increase core strength and build water comfort levels. Tread water for one to three minutes.
Step 6
Practice underwater breaststroke swimming to condition the lungs. Swim with one stroke above water and two underwater as long as comfortable.
Tips and Warnings
- Though programs are available for babies and toddlers, the American Academy of Pediatrics states the risk of drowning does not decrease with the amount of time spent in a pool as a younger child. Practice "touch" supervision for younger children---always be within an arm's length to prevent water accidents or drowning.
- Never allow children to swim alone or unsupervised.
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