For a child, learning to swim can feel like an adult learning to skydive. The rules of gravity are suspended, and this foreign place can be a fearful experience for new learners. Swimming is learning to balance oneself in a new environment. A good instructor will gently bring the child outside his or her comfort zone each lesson and towards personal achievement. The gradual path is most often the most successful in this arena. Here are some suggestions that can assist parents in preparing their children for a successful summer of swim lessons.
01. Avoid Floaties –
These devices actually retard a child’s progress for proper
swimming. Though parents use these with good intentions, the problem lies in
the fact that floaties are designed to keep the child vertical in the water,
and a bent leg kick is then developed to navigate around the pool. When
floaties are taken off, the child instinctively tries to kick the same way, and
this kick forces her down under water where even greater fear sets in. Children
who have not used floaties tend to learn about two to three times faster than
the floaties kids. Not surprisingly this disclaimer is never found on the
carton of floaties at the store.
02. Pre lesson preparation-
In order to protect swimmers from infections and communicable
diseases, pools maintain high levels of chlorine. To avoid unnecessary stomachaches,
limit dairy (eg: milk, yogurt) and acids (eg: berries, tomatoes, and citrus)
for 30 minutes before and after the pool session. To guard children from the harsh glare of the sun, long sleeved
rash guards are best, followed by all natural sunscreens (eg: Blue Lizard or
Beauty Counter). Do not apply sunscreens between one’s eyebrows and hairline
since it will leak into the eyes and can burn. Hair worn longer than one’s shoulders should be tied up in a
braid or ponytail to keep long strands out of the swimmer’s eyes and to keep
the pool filter clear.
03. Keep the water temperature warm-
One of the most essential swimming lesson tips: the pool needs
to keep the water at 86 degrees minimum but closer to 90 degrees is ideal.
Because of the liquid medium, a pool feels about 10 degrees cooler than air
temperature to a child. A 90 degree pool is like 80 degree air. The focus
should be on learning well, and shivering and blue lips make for less effective
retention.
04. During lesson time, make sure things are kept fun and playful.
An important swimming lesson tip: Children’s attention spans are
short, so keeping them engaged with water toys and skills work wonders for the
lesson. When it comes to effective teaching, it’s 75% enthusiasm and 25%
educated skill. Finding a good personality match between child and teacher can
catapult learning forward dramatically. Likewise, distractions and excessive
noise or stimulus in the environment inhibits learning. This is why some
parents opt for private or semi-private lessons rather than public group
lessons, even though it can be a great social scene. Trust of the water and
building an individual’s confidence is built more easily in a less crowded
pool.
05. Post lesson practice-
Practicing can help children to feel at ease in the water. The
calmness and enjoyment they feel will allow them to fully grasp the techniques
their instructor is teaching them. In the end, a skilled swimmer receives the
benefit of a lifetime of water fun.
Have fun with pool toys during bath time. Let the swimmer play with small pool toys during bath time. Use
this time to allow them to get familiar with some of the teaching tools used
during swim lessons. Bath time is a great place to introduce goggles for fun
games to explore the depths of the sea for sunken treasures. Timid swimmers can
easily reach toys without needing to submerge in the water and work towards
being comfortable with their face in the water. Quality Goggles have
non-adjustable nose pieces so there is one connecting part around both eyes and
across the nose and Two straps around the back of one’s head (eg: TYR Swimple
Kids or Speedo Hydrospeck Jr).
Submerging and breathing. Most children are not big fans of
getting water on their faces but breath control is a key component to most all
more advanced swimming skills. Practice putting the swimmer’s face in the water
and expel air to create the bubbles. If they are nervous, show them that they
can start by just putting their mouths into the water, easing them into it. If
they can master this tip, they will have learned some breath control and gain more
confidence when it comes to getting up for air safely
Show your kids examples of positive swim technique. Sit down with your child to
watch a few videos before and after their lesson and look at the different
strokes. Even early on, it can be beneficial to their swim development to talk
with them about proper head position, keeping a straight spine, and correct arm
positioning. It’s important for kids to see someone else exhibiting true form.
ALL
children in lessons learn to swim eventually; just as all children learn to
walk, some get it a little sooner, some a little later, but all do. Enjoy the
process and enjoy the child’s achievements along the way. A new arena of play
is opening up for them and the whole family to enjoy. Let water learning be a
safe and enjoyable experience and the rewards will last a lifetime.
Thanks Katie! Hope you have a happy and safe summer everyone!
