Swimming is an essential life skill that will benefit your child for years to come. Not only will it keep them safe in the water, but it also helps improve their physical and social skills.
While it takes lots of practice and encouragement, your child will surely gain a competitive advantage over their peers when you take the time to support their learning. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re wondering how to teach toddlers to swim.
Water Safety Tips
Before your toddler can hit the water, it’s vital to remember how to keep them safe. First, you should never let toddlers swim alone. Plan to always accompany your child in the water if you are at a pool, beach, or lake.
Second, proper swimming attire and a flotation device for toddlers will allow them to safely and comfortably swim.
Fun Swimming Activities for Toddlers
Playtime is crucial to helping your child learn how to swim quickly and gain comfort in the water. By having fun in the water, your child can ease the anxiety they feel about being in the water and exercise their mental, physical, and social skills.
If you’re wondering how to teach toddlers to swim effectively, try doing these activities in the water to add some fun and excitement to your child’s swimming lessons!
Teach Them the Belly Float or Starfish
Between the ages of 1 and 4 years old, it’s best to get your child well acquainted with the water. Start by showing your kid how to splash and slowly introduce them to the idea of floating.
One way to do this is by stretching out your child’s arms like a starfish while supporting the belly and thighs in front of you. As your kid becomes comfortable, teach them how to blow bubbles to improve their breathing skills.
Encourage Kids to Kick and Paddle in the Water
Knowing how to kick and paddle in the water is necessary since it allows your child to propel themselves forward. To teach them this skill, ask your child to sit by the corner of the pool and straighten your kid’s legs to practice kicking in the water.
To get them started on paddling, ask your child to move the arms and clap in the water without the hands coming together. A great way to do this is by singing “The Wheels on the Bus” and have them open and shut the school bus doors.
Introduce the Glide or Torpedo
Did you know you can teach your child the streamlined position without getting wet? This position is used in just about every stroke, so it’s necessary to learn.
You can teach your child this by laying them flat on the ground and having them look straight at the ceiling. Make sure to extend their arms overhead, and their head should not be tucked down or tilted up. In the water, get your child to do the same position and introduce the gliding technique while kicking.
Catch and Release a Rubber Ball Across the Pool
During Family Swim, play fun games that encourage your children to move their hands and kick their legs. For instance, you can throw a ball and have them reach for it to the other side of the pool.
Play the Motorboat Front Float
This water activity teaches your child to be comfortable in a horizontal swimming position. Start by holding your kid’s arms facing you. Then, walk backward and gently push your child into the front float position. Spin slowly and chant, “motorboat, motorboat, go so fast!” When your kid gets comfortable, encourage your child to kick and blow bubbles.
Benefits of Enrolling Your Toddler in Swimming Lessons
Don’t have time to teach your toddler how to swim yourself? Consider enrolling them in a formal swim program.
When looking for the perfect swimming program for toddlers, make sure it suits your kid’s needs. Once you have chosen a program with a professional swim instructor you can trust, you can sit back and watch the progress your child will make as they learn to swim!
Below are the benefits of taking your toddler to swimming lessons:
Teaches Lifelong Water Survival Skills
Learning how to swim at an early age can keep your kids safe in the water. Teaching them how to float, kick, and pad]dle properly equips them with the necessary survival skills to benefit them and prevent accidents in the future.
Ensures Water Safety With the Help of a Swim Instructor
If you enroll your child in a swimming program, rest assured they’re in good hands. Qualified and skilled coaches will ensure your child’s safety and development as the lesson progresses. Your child’s teacher will also provide feedback and guidance when mastering the basic strokes.
Strengthens Muscles and Maintains Fitness
Enrolling your child in a swimming program allows them to improve their fitness. The frequent physical activity required during these sessions strengthens their muscles and heart and improves their breathing control. Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise to keep them healthy, strong, and sickness-free.
Boosts Confidence and Social Skills
Swimming lessons are a great venue to socialize and make new friends. Compared to at-home swim lessons for toddlers, your child can meet other kids and play with them. Swimming lessons are perfect learning platforms for toddlers to gain confidence and enhance their social skills.
Provides Adequate Training for Your Child
The classes aim to enhance toddlers’ swimming and water survival competency skills. These lessons are age-appropriate and taught by certified instructors through a widely recognized learn-to-swim curriculum.
Swim lessons are held in a warm, kid-focused facility, which is safe and comfortable enough for children to learn. The instructors will also provide extra care and attention during the lessons as your child builds up their comfort level in the water.
Make Swimming Safe and Enjoyable for Toddlers
Swimming is a crucial survival skill that offers many health benefits for kids besides making them feel comfortable in the water. Not only does it strengthen their body, but it also improves their self-esteem and social skills, which are essential during their formative years or early stages of childhood development.
Taking swimming lessons for the first time can be overwhelming for children. Help ease their anxiety by enrolling them in interactive swimming programs at Bear Paddle. Visit our website to learn more about our swim packages for infants and toddlers.