By Joanna Nesbit When my daughter, Leah, was 6, I signed her up for a month of swim lessons, every day for half an hour. Leah had taken lessons in previous summers but with little obvious success, and I fell for another mom’s advice (she swore it was the only way to go). Great plan, except that my iron-willed daughter refused to get in the pool. Oh, some days she did, when the planets were aligned, but other mornings she just sat on a deck chair, watching her toddler brother mingle with the perky swim teachers. Swim lessons often feel non-negotiable to parents because we care about our children’s safety. And there’s that pesky idea that because all our friends’ kids love swimming, ours should too. But not all kids do. So, how can moms and dads help little ones get past their fears? First step: relax. Then try these tips: 1. Visit the pool—early and often 2. Make water play everyday
6 tips to help launch reluctant swimmers.
“You really can’t introduce kids to the water too early,” says Kaleb Wallen, General Manager and Instructor at Steve Wallen Swim School in El Dorado Hills. Sign up for parent/baby classes or take your toddler to your local pool to play, and remember you can take kids poolside beyond the summer months. Wallen finds that kids retain their swim skills better and enjoy the water much more when they participate year-round.
“Definitely encourage showers over baths,” says Wallen. “We find that kids who are used to showering and getting their faces wet do better in general.” If your tot is shower-shy, not to worry.
“You can practice blowing bubbles in the bathtub,” says Christa A. Crews, Supervisor and Lead Instructor for Sierra Marlins Swim School in Folsom. Crews also recommends, “practice washing kids’ faces, show them what kicking is like, and if you have room, practice floating.”
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Shopping for Lessons?
Here’s what to look for: • A low ratio of students to instructors, with instructors skilled in teaching kids. • A non-threatening environment where fun is emphasized and instructors don’t force skills such as dunking or jumping off the diving board. • A heated pool—this helps kids feel relaxed (many local instructors recommend 85 degrees or warmer). • Ask whether instructors allow goggles. For some kids, swim goggles make all the difference for going underwater. • Find out how instructors engage reluctant swimmers. Interaction should be positive and fun. |
3. Keep it cozy 4. Confront your own fear 5. Don’t pressure kids 6. Skip the floaties Most importantly, keep it fun. Once your child gets past his reluctance, he will be splashing across the pool with the rest of the kids.
Young children progress quicker when parents interact with them in the pool, so make water play a family experience. "A heated pool also helps kids relax," adds Dana Percival, General Manager of Sea Otter Swim Lessons in Loomis. "Without the distraction and discomfort of the cold," says Percival, "kids can better focus on their lessons—and on having fun."
If you’re afraid of water, you may convey to your kids that water is something scary, even if you try to hide your fear. Consider taking lessons yourself, so you can comfortably join your children in the pool. “It is never too late to start, and swimming is truly a lifelong skill,” says Crews.
Praise kids’ baby steps instead, and trust they will progress when the time is right. If your child is still extremely fearful or timid after a few lessons, ask to speak with an instructor after lessons for advice on how to help your child make the adjustment.
“Never ever use flotation devices,” says Christa Crews. “These give children a false sense of security. Furthermore, they place the child vertical in the water, forcing them to propel themselves around the pool in a vertical position (the drowning position).” She explains that this habit can also make lessons difficult—many kids either become fearful “for lack of their security device” or have trouble learning good technique.
Once your child is confident with pool play, he’s ready to try lessons (see "Shopping for Lessons?"). For age guidelines, talk to the pool staff or browse online for recommendations, but keep in mind that each child is unique.
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