Does My Child Need Goggles for Swim Lessons?

child in pool wearing blue swim googles

Learning to swim is an important life skill that not only promotes physical activity, but also instills confidence. At Bear Paddle, our central mission is to build confident swimmers, one story at a time. 

But as you pack your child’s bag for their first swim lesson at Bear Paddle, you may be asking yourself: What should we pack? Do I need to buy goggles? (The short answer is no! We provide them for you!) 

Before you rush out to buy the latest (and cutest) goggles for your child, let’s dive into the benefits and drawbacks of children using goggles as they learn to swim.

The Benefits:

Goggles can be a game changer for getting hesitant or scared swimmers in the water. Goggles offer kids the ability to see clearly and help them overcome initial fears as they learn to float and swim. They are able to better focus on the lesson without the discomfort and distraction that comes with getting water in their eyes.

The Disadvantages:

While goggles can absolutely boost confidence in the early days of swim lessons, excessive reliance on goggles can sometimes hinder a child’s ability to learn and grow. They may later protest that they just can’t do it without their goggles.

And though we are certainly thrilled at the progress kids make while using goggles, we also want to be sure that children can develop and use skills they may need in an emergency situation (where they most likely do not have goggles).

Finally, goggles can become their own distraction during lessons. If goggles are ill-fitting, uncomfortable, or a child just doesn’t know how to wear and tighten them, they can spend a significant amount of the lesson paying attention to their goggles rather than on the skills.

The Verdict:

The use of goggles in children’s swim lessons can be both beneficial and challenging. Our recommendation is to first try having a child start lessons without goggles. If they are confident and successful without the goggles, they will never develop a dependence. However, if after several lessons, they still are hesitant to put their eyes in the water, then yes, goggles can be a helpful tool to overcome this fear.

As to whether to rush out and buy goggles, the answer is no. At Bear Paddle, we keep sets of goggles free for kids to use. All they need to do is ask their teacher.

By striking a balance and incorporating our story-based lessons to keep kids engaged, we can ensure that children not only enjoy their swim lessons but also emerge as confident and competent swimmers, ready to navigate the waters safely, no matter what the situation.

If you’re looking to get started with swim lessons, we invite you to try a Complimentary Swim Lesson. This free lesson will allow us to evaluate your child’s swim skills, provide a level and class recommendation, and allow you the opportunity to see the school and see the lesson experience. 

10 Fun & Exciting Water Activities For Kids

Two kids playing with a water hose in their backyard

It can be challenging to keep your little ones entertained all spring and summer. The excitement of being outside and increasing temperatures mean the heat is on. Finding activities that keep them cool is a must. 

This is where playing with water comes in! 

Benefits of Water Play for Kids

Water activities for kids offer more than just fun. It helps support your child’s physical fitness and development such as their motor skills, core strength, balance. These are evident through water-based activities, such as swimming, running through sprinklers, and carrying buckets of water. 

Other more understated physical benefits include hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills through activities like pouring water from water buckets and squeezing water toys. 

Water activities also serve to stimulate kids’ imagination and creativity. Kids can let their imagination run free as they engage their creativity with water activities. For example, a tub or swimming pool can turn into a playground where anything goes. 

When kids play together in the water, working together is also a must. There are plenty of water-based activities where they can share ideas and resources, cooperate to achieve a goal, and learn new ideas. 

This is how kids can build their social interaction and emotional development. Kids are able to learn how to interact with others their age, create unforgettable memories, and build lasting friendships. 

Problem-solving skills and science-based learning are also improved, which adds to their cognitive development. Through various activities, kids can learn more about the properties of water, density and buoyancy, and many more. 

8 Water-Based Activities To Try This Summer

From kids to adults, everyone can relish water games and outdoor fun. Dive into these easy-to-set-up, educational summer activities, blending joy and learning at home.

Water Balloons 

Water balloon play is the quintessential summer activity that’s suitable for all ages. It doesn’t take much to start. All you need to do is fill balloons with water. 

Pair kids together, toss the balloons, and gradually step back, challenging each other for the most catches or the driest outcome.

Slip-n-Slide

Transform your backyard into a water wonderland with a DIY slip and slide. Lay down a sturdy plastic tarp or a large plastic tablecloth, anchor it securely, add a gentle stream of water, and a touch of soap for a slippery ride. 

This simple setup guarantees endless laughter as kids slide and glide, fostering physical activity and coordination.

Ice Excavation

Ignite your child’s inner explorer by freezing small plastic toys in a bowl of water. Once frozen, set the ice block free and let the young archaeologists chip away with toy hammers to uncover hidden treasures. This hands-on activity not only provides sensory fun but also promotes fine motor skills and patience

Fill the Bucket 

Teamwork takes center stage in this game. Divide into teams, pass water-soaked sponges or cups down the line, and aim to fill a bucket balanced on a participant’s head. It’s a fantastic way to teach cooperation, communication, and quick thinking, while keeping everyone cool and engaged.

Pool Treasure Hunt 

Dive into a pool filled with treasures! Inflate a kiddie pool, toss in plastic animals, or even “gold” coins, and invite little ones to scoop and discover. This exciting activity refines hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, and sensory exploration while adding a splash of adventure to their summer days.

Beach Ball Fight 

Combine beach balls and squirt guns for an action-packed challenge. Use the water jets to keep beach balls afloat or create a thrilling race to a finish line. 

This dynamic duo of beach balls and water guns fosters gross motor skills, coordination, and friendly competition, guaranteeing hours of thrilling outdoor play.

Water Limbo 

Elevate traditional limbo with a watery twist. A hose sprays water horizontally, becoming the bar to duck under. 

Test flexibility and balance as participants attempt to limbo lower without catching a splash. It’s a refreshing take on a classic game that enhances motor skills, body awareness, and laughter.

Water Bottle Flip

Master the art of the water bottle flip challenge. Fill an empty bottle with water, attempt to flip it upright, and watch as it lands. 

Create a friendly competition with friends or family, challenging each other to achieve the most flips within a time frame. This entertaining endeavor sharpens hand-eye coordination, patience, and determination.

These engaging water activities for kids ensure a season filled with joy, learning, and unforgettable memories, nurturing children’s physical, cognitive, and social development in playful ways.

Check out the Bear Paddle blog to learn more about different water activities for kids. 

From Pool to Progress: Tracking Your Child’s Development in Swimming Lessons

little boy on the edge of a swimming pool

Swimming isn’t just a source of enjoyment for kids; it’s a vital life-saving skill. Enrolling a child in swimming lessons introduces them to the water and aids in their physical, mental, and emotional development. Join us as we delve into the diverse facets of monitoring a child’s growth in swimming lessons, from their initial experiences in the pool to tracking their progress over time.

The Importance of Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons offer numerous benefits for children, including improved physical fitness, enhanced water safety skills, increased confidence, and the development of social skills. Regular participation in swimming lessons can lead to improved cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and coordination. 

Additionally, learning to swim at a young age can instill a sense of water safety and awareness, reducing the risk of drowning. Furthermore, the social aspect of swimming lessons allows children to interact with their peers, fostering teamwork and communication skills.

A Guide to Swim Lesson Progress Tracking

Initial Assessment and Introduction to the Water

When a child begins swimming lessons, it is important to conduct an initial assessment to gauge their comfort level in the water. This assessment may involve observing the child’s reaction to being in the water, their ability to float or kick, and their overall confidence in a pool. 

The initial introduction to the water should be done gradually, ensuring the child feels safe and supported throughout the process. Building trust with the instructor and establishing a positive association with the water are crucial steps in the child’s development in swimming lessons.

Tracking Swimming Milestones by Age

Tracking a child’s development in swimming lessons involves monitoring their progress and identifying key milestones along the way. This can be achieved through regular assessments, such as timed swims, skill demonstrations, and individualized goal-setting. 

Instructors and parents should set achievable swimming milestones by age and provide positive reinforcement, so children are motivated to continue improving their swimming abilities. Tracking progress allows instructors to tailor their teaching methods to each child’s individual needs, ensuring that they receive the support and guidance necessary for their development.

Fundamental Skills and Techniques

As the child progresses in their swimming lessons, they will begin to learn fundamental skills and techniques that form the foundation of their swimming abilities. A parent can track their child’s swimming development by observing the pace at which their child learns these skills, including proper breathing techniques, body positioning, kicking, and arm movements.

Instructors need to provide clear and consistent instruction, as well as opportunities for practice and reinforcement. By mastering these fundamental skills, children can develop a strong swimming foundation that will serve them well as they continue to advance in their lessons.

Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience

When a child isn’t progressing in swim lessons, it’s often due to various challenges, such as fear of the water, lack of confidence, and physical limitations. Instructors need to create a supportive and encouraging environment that empowers children to overcome these challenges and build resilience. 

When the child’s fears and concerns are acknowledged and addressed, they are more likely to develop the confidence and determination needed to progress in their swimming lessons. Through patience, positive reinforcement, and a focus on steady improvement, children can build resilience and perseverance in facing challenges in swimming.

Parental Involvement and Support

The involvement and support of parents play a critical role in tracking a child’s development in swimming lessons. Parents can reinforce the skills and techniques learned in lessons by practicing with their children outside class. 

Parents can provide encouragement and positive reinforcement, which can significantly impact a child’s motivation and progress. Open communication between parents and instructors is also essential, as it allows for a collaborative approach to tracking and supporting the child’s development in swimming lessons.

Advanced Skills and Specializations

As children advance in their swimming lessons, they may have the opportunity to learn advanced skills and specialize in specific swimming techniques, such as competitive strokes, diving, or water safety rescue skills. A parent can track their child’s progress by observing their child’s readiness and competence in learning advanced swimming techniques.

Instructors can tailor their lessons to accommodate each child’s individual interests and abilities, allowing them to develop their swimming proficiency further. By offering advanced skills and specializations, children are motivated to continue their swimming journey and may discover a lifelong passion for aquatic activities.

Keep Your Child Swimming with Bear Paddle

Swim lesson progress tracking involves an approach that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional aspects. From the initial introduction to the water to the mastery of advanced skills, children experience a transformative journey that contributes to their overall development and well-being. 

At Bear Paddle, parents and instructors can effectively track and support the progress of children in swimming lessons. Ultimately, the skills and experiences gained from swimming lessons can have a lasting and profound impact on a child’s life, both in and out of the water.

What Should You Look For In A Swim Instructor for Kids?

A male swim instructor assisting a young male student in the swimming pool

As your child learns to swim, they’ll benefit from working with a swim instructor who can ensure their safety, help them develop essential skills and confidence, and monitor their progress.  Swim coaches create a learning environment where everyone feels supported and comfortable. They’re necessary if you want your child to overcome their fear of water.

The right instructor offers all these benefits to mold your child into a confident and skilled swimmer. Yet, the question remains: what to look for in a swim instructor for kids? Here are some qualities a good coach must have.

Multiple Skills to Meet Your Child’s Needs

Learning looks different for every child. Thus, your child’s coach should demonstrate the best skills for their particular needs and preferences. Being trained and skilled in multiple aspects of swimming, from curriculum-based classes to lessons for children, is what makes a good swim coach.

Extensive Experience in Swimming

Along with the necessary qualifications, you should find an instructor who has taught kids of the same age and skill level as your child. This level of expertise shows they know how to address the different needs and challenges of their role.

Talking to your child’s potential swim coach lets you learn more about their experience. Here are some questions to ask instructors during your meetings:

  • When did you take swimming lessons?
  • Have you competed before?
  • What made you pursue a career in swimming?
  • How long have you been teaching children how to swim?
  • Where did you train to become an instructor?

These questions can tell you how many young learners have found the coach’s instruction helpful to their swimming journey, what made them love swimming, and how they teach their students.

The Right Way to Motivate Your Child

Beyond helping your child master proper swimming techniques, their instructor should understand their reasons for learning and use the right techniques to maintain their enthusiasm.

Again, consider meeting your child’s potential instructors and understand their teaching style. Do they push students to learn and overcome their fear of water? Or do they teach like a drill sergeant? Nevertheless, you should pick a coach with a teaching style that makes your child feel comfortable, excited, and motivated to attend their lessons.

Topics Covered By Their Swimming Lessons

A swim instructor’s lessons are another important factor in choosing your child’s mentor. Look at the coach’s swim lesson curriculum for kids and the topics it covers, then ensure you’ve set your child’s focus and goals. Try discussing the latter with the instructor and devise an action plan to help your child achieve their specific goals.

Finally, ensure the prospective coach can consistently measure your child’s progress with an effective system. For example, Bear Paddle’s monthly in-water evaluations and progress reports track student progress, allowing your aspiring swimmer to move to the next level whenever they’re ready.

A Matching Personality with Your Child

With your child and their potential instructor spending plenty of time together, make sure they’re compatible. Like the people you meet and work with, each swim coach has a personality clashing with yours. This principle applies to your child and their search for the right instructor.

Now, how do you know if a coach’s personality matches your child? One good way to find out is by letting your child meet the instructor before lessons begin and observing the first few lessons for visible progress and a positive experience. Most importantly, get your child’s feedback about their classes. It’ll help everyone understand what needs to be done for a better learning environment.

Excellent Communication Skills

Teaching children how to swim requires interpersonal skills. After all, swim instructors must understand student skill levels, teach various techniques effectively, and allow everyone to be themselves.

Outstanding coaches make learning swimming skills easy for their students and give them constructive feedback to help them improve. Therefore, your child’s potential instructor must communicate with students and parents well.

Great Patience

Some kids find swimming difficult to learn. A patient instructor understands this challenge and makes time to help your child master and improve their swimming skills.

Furthermore, swim coaches may be expected to handle distracted students and tantrums during classes, making patience necessary for them.

Find the Perfect Swim Coach for Your Child

The best swim instructors effectively guide your child through the basics of swimming, ensuring they reach their full potential and become more confident in the water. So, finding a coach who completely understands proper swimming techniques, prioritizes safety, and inspires your child to learn is important.

If you plan to enroll your child in swimming lessons, learn about Bear Paddle’s swim programs on our website or get helpful tips from our blog.

Teaching Kids to Swim: Overcoming Fear of the Water

little girls wearing swimming gear in a pool

Swimming is an essential life skill that provides physical benefits and plays a crucial role in water safety. Teaching kids to swim and helping them overcome their fear of the water is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning, patience, and understanding. First and foremost, it’s essential to understand why many children are afraid of swimming or getting in the water.

Understanding the Fear of Water

The fear of water, also known as aquaphobia, is a common issue many children experience. This fear can stem from a variety of sources, including a traumatic experience, lack of exposure to water, or simply a natural apprehension of the unknown. It is important for swimming instructors and parents to recognize that each child’s fear of water is unique and may require different approaches to address.

How to Overcome Fear of Swimming in Children 

Fear from water is a normal experience for children, so learning about the different approaches to teaching children how to swim is recommended since each child learns differently. 

Create a Positive Environment

When teaching kids to swim, creating a positive and supportive environment is crucial in helping them overcome their fear of the water. This can be achieved by building trust and rapport with the children, ensuring the swimming environment is safe and welcoming, and using positive reinforcement to encourage their progress. Additionally, it is important to be patient and understanding, as forcing a child to confront their fear may exacerbate the issue.

Gradually Expose Them to Water

One effective strategy for helping kids overcome their fear of water is through gradual exposure. This involves introducing the child to water in a controlled and non-threatening manner, allowing them to adapt to it at their own pace. Gradually exposing children to water can be done through activities such as water play, slowly entering the pool or body of water, and using flotation devices to build confidence.

Build Trust and Confidence

Building trust and confidence is vital in helping kids overcome their fear of the water. Swimming instructors and parents can achieve this by demonstrating patience, empathy, understanding, and constant reassurance and support. Encouraging small achievements and progress, no matter how minor, can help boost the child’s confidence and willingness to engage with the water.

Utilize Age-Appropriate Teaching Methods

When teaching kids to swim, utilize age-appropriate teaching methods that cater to the child’s developmental stage and individual needs. Younger children may respond well to games, songs, and playful activities that help them become comfortable in the water, while older children may benefit from more structured lessons that focus on specific swimming skills and techniques.

Address Specific Fears and Concerns

Each child’s fear of water may be rooted in specific fears and concerns that need to be addressed individually. Some children may be afraid of submerging their heads, while others may be fearful of deep water or the sensation of floating. Identifying the specific relationship between water and anxiety by tailoring the swimming lessons to address them can help the child gradually overcome their apprehensions.

Encouraging Parental Involvement

Involving parents in the process of teaching kids to swim and overcoming their fear of water can have a significant impact on the child’s progress. Parents can provide ongoing support, encouragement, and practice outside of swimming lessons, which can help reinforce the child’s confidence in the water. Additionally, involving parents can help create a consistent and supportive approach to addressing the child’s fear of water.

Emphasize Water Safety

Teach children how to not panic in water by emphasizing water safety throughout the learning process. Educating children about water safety practices, such as never swimming alone, understanding water currents, and knowing how to call for help, can help alleviate some of their fears by empowering them with knowledge and skills to stay safe in the water.

Seek Professional Guidance if Needed

For children with a severe or persistent fear of water, seeking professional guidance from a child psychologist or therapist may be necessary. These professionals can work with the child to identify the underlying causes of their fear and develop strategies to address it. In some cases, a fear of water may be linked to other psychological issues that require specialized intervention.

Celebrate Progress and Achievements

Throughout the process of teaching kids to swim and helping them overcome their fear of water, there is no harm in celebrating their progress and achievements. Recognizing and acknowledging the child’s efforts, no matter how small, can help boost their confidence and motivation to continue learning and growing in the water.

Fighting Fears with Bear Paddle

Teaching kids to swim and helping them overcome their fear of the water is a multifaceted process that requires patience, understanding, and a tailored approach for each child. 

Swimming instructors and parents can play a pivotal role in helping children develop essential swimming skills and a lifelong love for the water. 

At Bear Paddle, progress is promised when it comes to your child’s journey to swimming. Let your child learn to love water by enrolling in our swim programs today. 

Fun and Creative Ways to Practice Swimming Skills at Home

Child in bathtub

Practice swimming helps your child learn how to be better and faster in the water. However, parents often wonder how to practice swimming without a pool at home.

While formal swimming lessons are essential, parents can actively support and enhance their children’s swimming skills at home in numerous ways. After all, practice makes perfect. Keep their skills on track and ensure they are still learning outside the pool.

This blog explores creative and enjoyable tips for practice swimming at home that can significantly splash your child’s aquatic journey.

How to Practice Swimming at Home

Blow bubbles in the bathtub

Some children have a fear of the water, and bath time is a great opportunity to overcome it. It’s also the perfect chance to practice swimming without being in a large area like a pool or lake. The best thing about doing this in the bathtub is having parents nearby.

Do this tip by having your child put their face in the water to blow bubbles. It helps them be comfortable getting their face wet until they can submerge their entire head underwater.

Blowing bubbles in the water teaches your child how to control their breathing. It also improves their lung capacity so they can perform better in the water and progress to the next swimming level.

Learn rotational breathing

Rotational breathing further enhances your child’s performance in the water. Like blowing bubbles, you can practice this skill in the bathtub.

Have your child put their face in the water and hold their breath for as long as possible. You can count while they do this so they can see how they are improving! Practicing this also strengthens their lungs, making them more confident in the water.

Perform arm rotations in the air

Arm rotations are dynamic exercises that offer various benefits for your child. For instance, it promotes flexibility in the shoulder joint, increases the range of motion, targets key muscle groups, and improves coordination. 

Your child can also enjoy better propulsion in the water as they perform this tip. The resistance created by moving arms through the air helps strengthen the muscles in the arms, including the shoulders, biceps, and triceps. It also refines their motor skills, fostering a better understanding of how to move efficiently through the water.

Begin with a brief warm-up to prepare the muscles for activity. Have your child stand comfortably and extend their arms to the sides at shoulder height. After alternating rotations between both arms, challenge your child to perform them simultaneously. Gradually increase the duration and intensity as they become more proficient with this exercise.

Make sure you encourage your child to fully complete each arm rotation as if they’re swimming. This helps them familiarize themselves with the different strokes, making performing in the pool easier.

Practice kicking on the floor

Swimming involves the coordination of the arms and legs. Most children struggle with keeping their lower appendages straight during flutter kicks. However, there’s an effective way to practice this at home.

Have your child lie on the floor and urge them to make small, swift movements with their legs. Children that are small enough can perform this exercise in the bathtub. This way, they grasp the fundamentals of moving through water resistance in a confined and controlled space.

Watch swimming videos

Apart from performing exercises, your child can also learn by observing. Utilize your free time by watching videos of professional swimmers with your child. Use accurate terminology for each stroke and discuss the swimmer’s techniques.

As you consistently incorporate this practice swimming at home, your child should gradually adopt the vocabulary commonly used in swimming, making it easier to keep up with a swimming coach. Having an increased familiarity contributes to their comprehension of instructions during lessons.

Try water games

Make practice swimming at home more fun by trying classic pool games. Not only are these activities dynamic and entertaining, but they are also an excellent way to enhance your child’s swimming skills.

Marco Polo is a classic water game that hones swimming and listening skills. It involves one child closing their eyes and calling “Marco” while the others respond with “Polo.”

For more advanced little swimmers, you can also try underwater treasure hunts by tossing sinkable objects, such as pool toys or weighted items, into the water. Encourage them to dive and retrieve the treasures.

Continue Aquatic Learning at Home

Incorporate these engaging activities into your routine and transform your home into a supportive environment for your child’s swimming development. Continue their aquatic learning and learn how to practice swimming without a pool. The key to making these practice swimming exercises enjoyable is fostering a positive association with water. 

While these activities are no substitute for professional swimming lessons, they complement formal instruction, helping your child become a more confident and capable swimmer. It also encourages continuous learning despite being out of the water.

Learn more creative ideas that help foster your child’s swimming skills by visiting the Bear Paddle blog.

Basic Swimming Strokes for Kids: How to Do the Backstroke

A young girl swimming backstroke in a pool

Learning the different swimming strokes helps your child avoid injury, grow to love swimming and dedicate themselves to it, and improve the other techniques they’ve learned. These basic strokes include the backstroke, which is done with their back on the water.

Plenty of practice goes into perfecting this technique. Hence, we’ve made a step-by-step guide to help your child learn the backstroke. Let’s dive in!

How to Swim Backstroke: The Basics for Kids

Learning the backstroke involves the following steps:

Look at the Sky or Ceiling

Your little one’s head position makes their backstroke perfect. With their heads over the water, the world’s top backstrokers can swim while balancing a cup of water on their foreheads.

Whenever your child swims, they should look at the sky or ceiling. As a result, the head stays neutral, and the hips are above the water for easier swimming.

Finally, make sure your child avoids looking forward because they’ll slow down. The hips drop as the head moves forward, producing drag while swimming.

Keep the Hips Over the Water

The hip position is also crucial in swimming backstroke. To get the technique right, your child should keep their hips near the water’s surface.

Raising the belly button over the surface can help your little swimmer’s hips stay close to the water. However, their back should be straight, with the core engaged and the head neutral.

Rotate the Body

As a long-axis stroke, the backstroke technique involves turning the body side to side along an imaginary line. The axis starts at the top of your child’s head, runs to the center of their body, and extends out the toes.

When swimming backstroke, the hips should be used to turn, with the arms as aids. Here’s how your child should rotate in the water:

  • As the right arm enters the water, the body turns slightly to the right.
  • After pulling on the right side and as the left arm enters the water, your child should turn to the left.

Pull, Pull, Pull

Doing the backstroke also means pulling like a continuously spinning windmill. One arm exits the water, while the other pulls.

To do a backstroke pull, your child’s arms should enter the water pinky first. Both pinkies should be a bit wider than the shoulders — think of how the hour hand on a clock is positioned at 11 and 1.

Next, your child bends their elbow, giving way to a powerful, early vertical forearm catch. One hand should go over the water thumb first, with the recovering arm straight and turned slightly to bring the hand back into the water pinky first.

Just Kick It

The backstroke uses a flutter kick that’s done constantly. Most swimmers use a six-beat kick — that is, three kicks whenever each arm moves. As your child kicks, they should point their toes and use their hip flexors, keeping the knees slightly bent.

Tip: Flutter kicks should look small for enough power. Big kicks produce drag, slowing your child down.

An Easier Alternative: The Elementary Backstroke

If your little one finds the traditional backstroke challenging, have them try its much simpler form in the elementary backstroke.

Here, your child faces upward so they breathe freely. They start with arms straight along the body, then move the hands from the hips to shoulder level. Afterward, the arms become straight again and move toward the hips, pushing your child forward.

For leg movements, the legs should be stretched out and held together. Your little one’s next step is to bend their knees, extend their legs, and bring their feet to their butt. Then, the legs are spread and held together for power.

Finally, you can encourage your child to breathe while moving their arms and legs. In this case, they inhale whenever their arms move toward the shoulders and stretch sideways, then exhale whenever their arms return to the sides.

How Your Child Can Improve Their Backstroke Technique

Constant practice leads to a good backstroke. Here’s how your little swimmer can improve their technique.

  • The body should be as flat as possible to keep it streamlined with the water. Also, it should form a little slope down to the hips so the legs stay underwater.
  • While swimming, the water should cover your child’s ears, and the eyes should look up and back.
  • Quick pulls with the hands create resistance. Get your child to direct their palms toward the bottom of the pool, then move their hands outward and downward until they line up with the upper chest and shoulders, keeping the elbows bent.
  • Next, the hands should be turned, with palms facing toward the feet. They should be pushed through the water until the arms completely straighten and are ready to exit the water as the shoulders rotate.
  • If your child slows down while swimming backstroke, they can do an alternating or dolphin kick and move their arms while their body stays slightly underwater. In turn, the head rises to the surface.

Encourage Your Child to Learn the Backstroke

Swimming backstroke lets your child work and strengthen their muscles while improving their feel of the water. However, it can be challenging as your little one has to swim on their back. Consider saving and using our step-by-step guide to help your child improve their backstroke technique, boosting their confidence and expanding their knowledge of the basic swimming strokes.

Do you need help preparing your child for swim lessons or creating a more enjoyable learning experience? Get valuable tips from the Bear Paddle blog today.

What is the Fastest Swimming Stroke?

Boy swimming in pool

Swimming is a fantastic activity that provides an enjoyable experience and promotes physical fitness and water safety skills. Beginner swimmers will be exposed to various swimming strokes designed to help them move efficiently and effectively in the water. 

As a parent or guardian, ensuring your children are learning proper swimming strokes is crucial, as it will help them build their confidence, improve their endurance, and develop their lifelong swimming skills.

Swimming strokes are differentiated by their unique techniques and movements, each with its own distinct purpose and advantages. The objective of every swimming stroke is to reduce drag and increase lift in the water, allowing the swimmer to move quickly and efficiently. Each stroke has unique movements, timing, and rhythm, from the freestyle and breaststroke to the butterfly and backstroke.

If you want to test your child’s speed in the water, it’s best to research and have them practice the fastest swimming stroke so they can try it out the next time they’re in the pool.

How Does a Swimming Stroke Work?

As a parent or guardian, you may wonder about the various swimming strokes your child can learn. Swimming strokes are essential techniques swimmers use to propel themselves through the water. They involve the activation of specific muscle groups, such as the abdominal, hip, quadriceps, and hamstring muscles, to move the body forward. To accomplish this, swimmers engage in different kinds of kicking, reaching, arm pulling, and arm pushing.

While there are several different types of swimming strokes, each designed for different situations, they all serve the same essential purpose: to move the swimmer through the water. Some strokes, such as the backstroke or breaststroke, are perfect for leisurely swimming or water exercise. Others, such as the butterfly and freestyle strokes, are ideal for competitive swimming.

But you may ask yourself, what is the fastest swimming stroke?

What is the Fastest Swimming Stroke?

There are various types of swimming strokes, but when it comes to speed, the fish kick is considered the fastest swim stroke. This technique involves a dolphin-like kick that propels the swimmer forward through the water. Although the fish kick is not officially recognized as a competitive swimming stroke, it can be a useful technique for young learners who want to improve their speed and efficiency in the water.

In contrast, the front crawl, also known as the freestyle stroke, is the fastest official swimming stroke. It involves a continuous flutter kick and alternating arm strokes that move the swimmer forward through the water. As the most efficient swimming stroke, the freestyle is a popular choice for competitive swimming events, including the Olympics. In fact, many Olympic swimmers prefer the freestyle stroke because of its speed and simplicity.

For young learners, understanding the different swimming strokes and techniques available to them is essential. Knowing which strokes are the fastest can help children improve their swimming skills and build confidence in the water. In addition, by mastering the proper swimming techniques, whether it’s the freestyle stroke or the fish kick, children can develop strong and efficient movements, allowing them to swim faster and longer.

How to Practice the Fastest Swim Technique

According to swim coach and engineer Rick Madge, the fish kick involves pushing yourself off the wall of the pool and propelling your body forward by moving both legs up and down with your arms straight forward. With this technique, you can reach the other side of the pool in approximately 15 seconds. 

On the other hand, the front crawl involves a continuous flutter kick and alternating arm strokes, which propel the swimmer forward through the water. In addition, the front crawl stroke reduces drag by combining the body roll, out-of-arm return, and flutter kick techniques, which maximizes speed and efficiency. 

While mastering the front crawl stroke may be difficult, it is easy to practice. You can have your child focus on their breathing, maintain a stable head and chest position, and use a kickboard to practice the front crawl. And once they master it, the front crawl becomes a highly effective whole-body exercise.

Ultimately, choosing the fastest swim technique for young learners depends on their skill level and experience in the water. It is important to start with the basics and gradually progress to more advanced techniques as they gain confidence and proficiency in the water. 

Additional Tips for New Swimmers

Swimming is not only an effective way to stay active and healthy, but it’s also a life skill that can save lives. By following these tips and encouraging your child to learn how to swim, you’re giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.

  • Start with the basics: Before trying any strokes, ensure your child is comfortable in the water and has basic water safety skills such as floating, kicking, and blowing bubbles.
  • Make it fun: Children learn best when they’re having fun, so try to make swimming enjoyable for them by incorporating games, toys, and other fun activities into their lessons.
  • Practice makes perfect: Swimming is a skill that requires practice and repetition, so remember to be patient and encourage your child to keep practicing.
  • Encourage proper technique: Learning proper technique is vital for both safety and efficiency in the water. Encourage your child to use the correct stroke technique and body position for each stroke.
  • Choose the right swim school: Look for a swim school with experienced instructors trained in teaching children to swim. A good swim school will also prioritize safety and provide a positive and fun learning environment.

Just Keep Swimming

Learning to swim is an excellent way for young learners to exercise their bodies while having fun. One of the best ways to become proficient in swimming is to learn the different strokes and techniques and practice them regularly.

Starting with slower strokes like breaststroke and backstroke is a great way to build confidence in the water while learning the basics of swimming. As children become more comfortable in the water, they can test their speed and challenge themselves with faster strokes like the front crawl or fish kick.

At Bear Paddle, we understand that learning to swim can be intimidating for young learners and parents alike. That’s why we offer expert swim lessons tailored specifically to beginners in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment. 

With our proven teaching methods and experienced instructors, your child will gain the skills and confidence they need to become proficient swimmers. Contact us today to learn more about our swim lesson programs.

Breathing Exercises for Swimming: Teaching Proper Breath Control for Kids

Kid swimming while blowing bubbles from underwater

One basic swimming skill anyone needs to master is proper breath control. It’s about finding your rhythm when you inhale above the water and exhale while you’re submerged in it.

It’s especially important to take time to teach children proper breath control while they are learning formal swim strokes. When kids are more confident with their water breathing skills, swimming becomes easier and a lot less scary for them, making it a more fun experience.

But how do you teach young kids how to breathe properly underwater? Check out these fun and easy breathing exercises for swimming, in and out of the water.

The Importance of Teaching Proper Breath Control 

Learning how to hold your breath longer underwater allows your child to swim faster and experiment with all sorts of swimming strokes. That way, they can enjoy more of their time in the pool without struggling to do any of the exercises or play games with their friends.

Exhaling properly while underwater also helps your child release tension and stress, making swimming more relaxing. If they’re not confident in their ability to breathe while swimming, they might feel overwhelmed and panicky as they swim.

Breath control is also beneficial for your child’s mental health. Deep breathing (and knowing how to do it right) is amazing for relieving anxiety in children. This will help them not only in the pool but also in dealing with the stresses of everyday life.

Don’t know where to start with teaching your child proper breath control? Here are several tips on how to teach your child to breathe while swimming, before and during their time in the pool. 

Breathing Exercises to Try Before Hitting the Water

Play in the bathtub

In the days leading up to their swimming lesson, try to let your child play in the bathtub more. To prep them for breath control lessons, gently pour water down their face while in the bath. This will train them to practice holding their breath when there’s water on their face.

Bob for apples

A fun way to help teach them to hold their breath longer underwater is to bob for apples. This is the perfect game to play during the autumn season or Halloween, but can be done at any time of the year! 

Simply fill up a big bucket with water and throw a few apples in it. Challenge your kid to take an apple out of the bucket with their mouth; no hands are allowed. 

This is an awesome opportunity for your kid to practice breath control even when they’re out of the pool. Make it a family affair with mom and dad joining in for extra fun!

Guided deep breathing exercises

To exercise your child’s lungs before they get into the swimming pool, give them some easy deep breathing exercises. 

Guide them by counting down how long they should hold their breath. An easy deep breathing exercise would be to ask them to inhale, hold their breath for five seconds, and then exhale. 

Not only will this help increase their stamina for when they learn breath control in the pool, but it can also calm their nerves when they’re feeling anxious.

Breathing Exercises for Swimming in the Pool

Bob up and down to make bubbles

One of the simplest breathing exercises for swimming is bobbing to produce bubbles underwater. This is something even a beginner swimming student should be able to do.

While holding the pool’s edge in a shallow part of the pool, let your child inhale with their mouth, bob their head into the pool, blow bubbles out of their nose underwater, and come back up again. Doing this about 5-10 times in a row can help them find their rhythm when breathing underwater.

This is a great breathing exercise for kids because it allows them to get used to filling their lungs with air and then expelling that air underwater. It also teaches them that they are, in fact, in control of their breathing while they swim.

Let them ride on your back

Let your child ride on your back if you’re swimming with them. Make sure their arms are wrapped around your neck. Then, simply go up and down the water while carrying your child. This will teach them to hold their breath when they know they’re about to go underwater and to refill their lungs with air when they go above the water.

Some roleplay action might be extra fun for you and your kid, too! Pretend to be a shark or dolphin while doing this for the extra giggles.

Challenge them to look for toys or coins underwater

Playing fun games in the pool is an excellent way to encourage your child as they take swimming lessons. You can even help them hone their breath control skills in the guise of a competitive game, like racing to find rings or toys underwater for a prize. That way, they practice holding their breath for a long time underwater without even realizing it.

The prize can be anything that will excite and encourage them to do well in the challenge, like a treat after their swim lessons or getting to pick their favorite show for screen time. 

Mastering Breath Control Makes Swimming More Fun

Breath control may be intimidating for young kids at first. But with proper training and fun exercises to help them practice, they’ll master the skill in no time.

Remember to be patient if your child is scared of breathing in the water at first. Reassure them that they’re in a safe environment and come up with fun breathing exercises to get them excited to learn.

Ready to teach your child how to breathe properly in the pool? Check out our swim programs and see which one is best for your child. Whether you prefer a group or a private one-on-one swim lesson, we’re here to make sure your child is confident in their breath control each time they go for a swim.

How to Swim Freestyle: 4 Activities for Kids

Two kids freestyle swimming a pool

Learning how to swim freestyle and mastering different strokes can help keep children safe while in the water. They’re essential swim skills that every child should know. 

This article will discuss the benefits of teaching your child how to swim early and how to teach freestyle swimming to kids. We’ll share four fun activities you can do with your kids to help them learn the basics of freestyle swimming. 

Why Kids Should Learn How to Swim Early

Teaching your child how to swim at an early age equips them with essential skills that will benefit them as they grow older. 

These benefits include staying safe in the water, as well as the following:

Physical Benefits

Swimming engages your child’s muscles and offers a safe and effective workout they’ll enjoy. For this reason, swimming promotes muscle development, builds strength, and works on creating muscle memory.

It also improves cardiovascular fitness since it can keep their heart rate up without too much impact stress on their body. 

Mental Benefits

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming can improve your child’s mood

Like all forms of exercise, it releases endorphins and hormones in the brain that make people happy. As a result, swimming can lower your child’s stress and anxiety and improve their sleeping patterns.

Social Benefits 

Group swimming lessons are an opportunity for your child to meet people of the same age and swimming ability, which helps them make lifelong friends and improve their social skills, thus boosting their self-esteem. 

These lessons may also involve activities and games encouraging children to work together and improve their team-building skills. 

How to Swim Freestyle: The First Step for Kids

Now that we have established the importance of developing your child’s swimming skills, it’s time to dive deeper into how to teach a kid to swim freestyle

Freestyle swimming is ideal for kids and beginners as the movements involved come naturally. Here are several activities they can do at home to make learning the technique easier.  

Breathing Exercises 

Proper breathing technique goes a long way when teaching kids how to swim freestyle. To help them do this, you can ask kids to blow bubbles by having them submerge their mouth and nose underwater, inhaling above the water, and only exhaling the bubbles when they are back underwater. 

You can work on breathing with your kids in your own bathtub at home before introducing them to the pool. Once at the pool, you can assist your child by practicing freestyle breathing. They should be able to exhale underwater and inhale with their head above water facing sideways. 

Proper breathing techniques will help your child get used to exhaling and inhaling air instead of accidentally swallowing pool water. To make the breathing lessons fun, you can even incorporate them into a song or through rhythmic counting.

Leg Movements or Kicking

Your child must also learn to keep their toes pointed and legs straight when swimming freestyle. You can have your child lie down on a flat surface and practice kicking their legs alternately, while keeping them parallel. One way to make this even more fun is to play “Red Light, Green Light” to encourage stopping and starting kicking.

When they are confident enough, they can then do this in the pool using a kickboard until they are used to the leg movements. Remind them not to kick too hard, as this will only tire them.

Arm Strokes

There are specific techniques for perfecting freestyle arm movement. You can start by asking your kid to lie in a horizontal position where they can freely move their arms. 

To demonstrate proper arm movement, they must keep their arms outstretched, then move their limbs in a circular motion alternately.

Once they are used to the movement, you can teach them the proper technique. Their elbow must lead the arm out of the water before stretching outward to follow the length of their body. They may then drop their arm back down into the water and extend it to propel them forward. 

It is important that your child understands the concept of this pattern and glides without using too much energy. Similar to teaching them leg movements, your kid can practice the exercise in the pool using a kickboard. 

Head Movements

When performing the freestyle swimming technique, the correct positioning of the head is crucial to ensure proper breathing and help your child avoid swallowing pool water. This may also prevent neck and shoulder pains. 

In the pool, you can ask your kid to submerge their head and look towards the bottom of the pool. Remind them not to raise their heads to look in the direction in which they are swimming, as it is important to keep the entire body parallel with the floor. 

You can also teach your child to move or turn their head along with their entire body while their arm is moving. The movements of their head and body should always be synchronized. 

When to Enroll Your Kids at a Swim Clinic

Swimming lessons can be fun for both children and parents alike. But, while freestyle swimming is easy to learn, it’s not always the easiest to teach to kids. For this reason, you may want to consider enrolling your child in weekly group swim lessons.

Through formal swimming lessons, you can rest easy knowing your children are in safe hands and learning from a professional. Your kids can also learn swimming techniques alongside other kids, making these lessons more fun and allowing them to form lifelong friendships. 

Learn more about freestyle swimming for kids on our swimming blog, and schedule a complimentary swim lesson with us today!

Exploring How Swimming Can Help a Child’s Physical Development

a kid in a swimming pool

Learning to swim offers several benefits to kids. Aside from boosting their confidence around water, it can also build their endurance and provide them with improved sleep. Swimming is a fun activity many children enjoy, but the benefits of learning to swim extend beyond fun. 

What are the Areas of a Child’s Physical Development?

Children go through multiple stages of growth and development. Let’s look at these phases and how swimming can encourage their growth not only physically but cognitively and emotionally.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development focuses on how your child uses logic and problem-solving skills. It can also cover information processing, reasoning, memory, language development, and related areas.

In 2021, researchers reported that kids identified the names of unfamiliar objects more accurately than others after swimming. It suggests that quick and long swims can help young, developing brains work at their best.

Social & Emotional Development

Children must discover healthy and easy ways to relate to themselves and others. As a parent, finding ways for your child to interact with other children and adults is important in helping them develop social and emotional skills.

Kids achieve various social and emotional milestones growing up. This could be anything from a baby smiling at someone they just met, a toddler practicing parallel play, to children starting a game of tag at the park.

Youth sports provide a great opportunity for your child to develop socially and emotionally. And group swim lessons allow your child to meet new friends with a similar skill set. Swimming can work best for your child’s social and emotional development. 

Swimming brings everyone together through swim lessons, pool parties, and escaping the hot summer sun. Lessons can specifically encourage your child to introduce themselves to new people like the kids in their class.

Finally, swimming can make kids more self-confident. Since swimming promotes good physical health, children can learn to love their bodies more and become self-assured. Young swimmers can also feel more confident after achieving their swimming goals and as they enjoy swimming.

Speech & Language Development

Your child should also be able to express their thoughts and feelings, as there are many ways to communicate. For example, a baby may chatter and practice their vowels, or a preschooler may tell a story with basic vocabulary.

A child’s first words kickstarts their language development. This stage should continue into adulthood, especially as new words emerge. Ultimately, you must help your child find the right words to understand the world around them and share their message.

Fine & Gross Motor Skills

Fine motor skills use the small muscles in your child’s hand, fingers, and thumb. They include dressing up, eating, and writing.

Meanwhile, gross motor skills let your child use their body and core muscles. Their arm, leg, and torso muscles help them learn these movements. Gross motor skills include walking, running, throwing, kicking, and lifting.

Swimming makes your child’s muscles work harder against water’s added resistance. In turn, muscles get stronger, stretchy, and flexible, building a healthy and active body. 

Since swimming is a low-impact, gentle, and non-contact sport, your kid’s joints feel less pressure which means fewer injuries.

Research from 2019 supports swimming’s positive effect on children’s gross motor skills. It cited a previous study implying that swimming helps improve a child’s gross motor quotient (GMQ). This number shows how well kids use their large muscles while moving, at rest, in new environments, and when grabbing and throwing objects.

The Later Stages

As your child grows, they may try and pursue swimming (or other sports). Here’s what happens when kids get interested in sports.

  • Trying new sports – A child can try one or more sports from seven to ten years old, improving their coordination and sport-specific skills.
  • Choosing how often they’ll play – Kids into specific sports begin competing and play multiple sports. During this stage, they may know which sport they want to play.
  • Playing a sport for fun or professionally – Some children see their favorite sports as fun activities, while others start training to become professional athletes.
  • Completely pursuing their chosen sport – Kids may keep playing their favorite sports for fun or go professional.

Other Ways Swimming Can Help Your Child Grow & Develop

Swimming does more than support the main stages of your child’s physical development. It also comes with the following benefits.

Ensure a Healthy Heart & Lungs

Swimming strengthens your child’s heart and improves blood flow for better fitness and stamina. In turn, their body can consume enough oxygen. This results in a low resting heart rate and breathing rate.

Achieve & Maintain the Right Weight

Swimming can also help your child achieve a healthy weight. It uses more muscle groups, making the activity one of the most effective ways to prevent obesity. Also, overweight children can lose weight through swimming.

Reduce Stress

If your child feels exhausted, stressed, or frustrated, swimming may calm them down. Spending time in the water can make your child forget their worries for a while and focus their attention on learning a new skill while building confidence.

A 2020 study found that new swimmers felt fewer negative emotions throughout ten weeks of swimming lessons. Ultimately, your child may feel happier and mentally healthier after a swim.

When Should Your Kid Start Their Swimming Lessons?

Many swim schools encourage six-month-old babies to learn to swim. Infant swimming lessons may help students feel confident in the water, move in deeper water, and close their mouths. Additionally, parents accompany their children to these lessons. As a result, families get some bonding time with their kids.

Experts have yet to determine when children should begin their swimming lessons. However, Australian researchers have argued that kids become more confident and learn basic swimming techniques at about four years old. Whether your child starts learning to swim early or later in life, they may show these skills while growing up.

The researchers observed that kids could swim freestyle at five and a half years old. Like the finding above, this ability is most evident in children who began swimming at two or three years old.

Get Your Child Started in Swimming

Kids can get multiple benefits from swimming. Beyond water safety and confidence, swimming is effective for a child’s physical development. It keeps young bodies and brains healthy, helps kids socialize, and boosts their confidence.

Want to learn more about swimming for kids? Get everything you need to know from the Bear Paddle blog today.

Taking Your Baby Swimming: What to Wear

girl playing on the beach

Infants can learn how to swim as early as six months old. As a parent, it’s understandable to feel hesitant about letting your children into a pool. But with the proper swimming attire and knowledge of water safety precautions, you can help keep them safe and comfortable in the water.

Read on to find out what babies need to wear when you take them swimming, along with some tips to ensure pool safety for infants.

What Do Babies Wear in the Pool?

Besides some baby swimming essentials you should bring, such as towels, extra clothes for after swimming, snacks, and small toys, you should also pack the right swimwear for them.

So, what do infants wear in the pool? Here’s what you need to include with your baby’s swimming gear.

Baby Rashguard

Most pools for children’s swim lessons are kept at a comfortably warm temperature, similar to a bath. This gives you the flexibility of choosing what your child should wear! If they are not taking lessons in a heated pool, it’s a great idea to make sure they have long sleeves.

Rash guards are more form-fitting and lighter on the body. If you’re heading to the beach, rash guards can also help protect your child’s skin (most are now made with UPF protection) and keep sand or foreign objects from scratching their from their body.

Swim Diaper

If your child isn’t potty-trained yet, swim diapers can guard against leaks. These will also protect your baby from taking on water or moving too much. Not all swim diapers can hold urine, but they can prevent feces from mixing with the pool water.

It’s best to have your child in both a reusable and disposable swim diaper to double-protect against accidents in the water.

Life Jacket

Life jackets are essential for first-time swimmers who are still nervous in the water. They’re designed to keep your child afloat and prevent the risk of drowning by automatically turning them into a face-up position, keeping the nostrils and mouth clear of water.

While these won’t be used during your child’s swim lessons, they are helpful to use recreationally during Family Swim, at the beach, or at a friend’s pool.

Swim Goggles

The chlorine in the swimming pool may irritate young swimmers’ eyes. By wearing swim goggles, you can protect their eyes from these chemicals. 

Goggles can also help them see clearly while navigating the water. However, it’s also best to train them without goggles to get used to the sensation of water in their eyes. That’s why you typically won’t see swim goggles in group swim lessons. The ability to swim without goggles is important to help train your child in the even of a water emergency. 

Water Shoes

Babies have soft feet that can get easily scratched or bruised by rocky shores or sharp edges, so it’s best to let them wear water shoes while swimming. These will protect their soles and give them a grip on slippery surfaces. 

Waterproof Sunscreen

Baby skin is sensitive, so use a waterproof sunscreen free of parabens and harsh chemicals, especially when swimming outdoors. This will give them enough UV protection while keeping them cool and protected from the sun’s heat and harsh rays. 

Tips to Ensure Water Safety for Infants

You can keep your children safe in the water by ensuring that they wear proper swimming attire and that you’re closely watching over them. Below are some pool safety precautions you need to keep in mind:

Stay in Shallow Water

Keep infants away from the deep part of the pool. If other kids are around, ensure you can always see your baby clearly if other kids are near them. A “zero second rule” is great to have in place, and ensures your child is always in view while in the water.

Learn Basic Water Survival Skills

If you’re the supervising adult, you should also know basic water survival skills to keep you and your kid safe in the water. It helps to take family swim lessons with your children so you can keep track of their progress and learn alongside them.

Start Them Young with Bear Paddle 

If you want your kids to learn how to swim in a fun and safe environment, enroll them in our swimming lessons for infants and toddlers at Bear Paddle. 

We have professional swimming instructors to help your kids learn how to swim in no time. Visit our website today for more information about our swim packages.