Practice Makes Progress

Let’s say it again: Practice makes progress!

How can you make sure that your child is progressing?

Have them in and around the water as much as possible! I understand that if you don’t have access to the pool that can be tough, however simply pouring water on their faces in the bath can help more than you know!

Today I’ll share some tips for working with your young ones outside of professional instruction.

Water acclimation

As I mentioned above, simply having them around water will help them become more comfortable in the beginning. The sooner you do this the less resistance they will have when they begin lessons with a qualified instructor. You can help your child get comfortable with water by starting in shallow water, playing with cups, and gradually increasing water levels.

Use play-based learning

Learning through play goes a long way! Simple nursery rhyme songs are great to integrate into water play. I have my students pretend to prepare food with their arms and blow bubbles to teach breathing and water exploration.

Focus on water safety

My favorite way to introduce water safety techniques is by example. I will show them how I enter the pool and have them copy me, and I will also use toys to demonstrate things like floating and climbing out of the pool.

Most importantly…

End on a positive note while they're still engaged. Kids must view their time in the water as an enjoyable experience. I understand wanting to take them out if they are crying or uncomfortable, but try your best to return to an activity they liked before taking them out of the water. I cannot stress this enough!

Don’t forget: it is crucial to prioritize water safety when your child is learning to swim. Make sure to closely supervise them during lessons to ensure their safety at all times. It's important to encourage and celebrate their progress as they learn this valuable skill. If you feel that professional instruction is needed to further enhance their swimming abilities, do not hesitate to seek out a qualified instructor like myself!

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