Tips on getting comfortable in the water

One of the biggest reasons why kids don’t succeed in the lower swimming levels is because they are to stiff in the water. When our bodies are stiff we sink making it extremely difficult to learn how to swim.  Being comfortable and relaxed in the water is the foundation of all swim strokes.

Here are 5 tips on getting your child comfortable in the water

1) Start young. 

Bring you baby and/or tot in the pool from a young age (4 months or older is usually a good time to start).

2) Be patient. 

Make sure you proceed slowly. If you force your child to do something they are simply not mentally ready to do you run the risk of causing a very adverse reaction towards swimming. Remember small bite size steps.

3) Make it a positive experience. 

Play games, sing songs and don’t forget to smile. Your children can pick up on your emotions; so make sure you appear to be having a good time.

4) Recognition. 

Remember to recognize all small accomplishments that your child makes. Whether those actions were done intentionally or not is insignificant.  For example, if they get their face wet because they got splashed, don’t go wipe their face off and comfort them. You need to congratulate them for their fantastic job getting their face wet. It sounds funny but I can tell you from experience that this makes or breaks a child’s positive reaction to the water.

5) Encourage exploration. 

Trying new things in the water will help your child get more comfortable and be able to ‘ride the wave of new experiences’. Try suggesting, but not forcing, new activities on them. For example you can pretend you see some fish on the bottom of the pool when you put your face in and they have to put their face in the water to be able them to. If they put there face in the water fantastic! If they don’t, try a new activity.