Children may develop a dependency on goggles because they are used to closing their eyes the tub or shower. If one day they go to a pool and forget their goggles, they won't go in the pool without them. Or, they might jump in the pool and their goggles fall off, so they panic and may not be able to swim to safety.
When a baby starts swimming at under 2 years old, they don't need goggles to swim but as they get older they become more sensitive.
If we really want our children to be water safe we need to have them practice swimming with their eyes open without goggles. The child needs to know that what they see will be blurry but they CAN SEE under the water. Play the game that i call The Dolphin with a parent. Here is D with his dad.
Or you can put a toy or a prize, on the step or in your hand for the child to get. Do it several times and make it a game! It doesn't take a lot of time and it will help your child be more comfortable and secure in the water. Practice several times a year especially if you see your child is depending on goggles to go in the water all the time.
Humans have a swallowing reflex that is triggered automatically when liquid passes the throat. The epiglottis closes over the airways, so that no liquid enters the lungs. In addition, babies are born
with a diving reflex that makes it possible for a baby to be submerged safely under the water. The epiglottis closes automatically as soon as the water touches the baby's face. Once above the water again, the breathing and swallowing actions return automatically, sometimes with a small cough. Some experts that say that the dive reflex disappears after 6 months, but practice shows that the dive reflex continues much longer. When baby is in the water, he is stimulated automatically to move, and thus, at a very early age, the baby begins to actively move the arms and legs as if swimming. The diving also helps to strengthen the baby's lungs and other organs. In addition, the baby "enjoys" the feeling of weightlessness in the water. It mu"remind him" of when he was in the womb. Parents say that their baby sleeps better after swimming and, some believe that babies who participate in baby swimming get sick less often than non-swimming babies.
Parents can learn how to submerge their young baby under water with confidence. There are several techniques and signals that parents can use.
The first time you submerge your baby is the hardest. The baby may act surprised and even cry out. But
if you stay calm and happy and react positively, the next time you dunk him, your baby will love it!
There is a new baby program from Denmark that has some great pictures and videos of 2 month old
In addition to showing you how to put your baby under water, the LearntoSwimwithMissBeadvd also demonstrates tricks for teaching swimming to kids of all ages that I have developed through experience, from reading books, and from strategies that other parents and swimming teachers have shared with me through the forty years that I have been teaching swimming. Try this technique as shown in this video:
You, as the parent are the best person to practice with your baby and act happy that he won't swallow water when you put him under the water. The above video, from the Learn to Swim with Miss Bea dvd, demonstrates the reflex of taking a breath when air goes on a baby's face. If your baby makes the funny face when you blow in his face, then you can use this reflex. Try it! Count to Three, blow in his face, watch him take a breath, then gently put him under water for a second. James' mom taught him the signal and then used this technique. then praised him and talk happy... It is imperative to always be very clear with your signals. The child is under your power and it is up to you to make him feel secure. Be clear and consistent with the signals. There are signals for everything: the "one, two, three", the blowing in the face, and other signals for going under the water. Then you will play at back floating, kicking, playing "peek a boo" with you, turning to the wall, etc. When you watch the dvd, you gain confidence and can do it with your own baby!
Kids forget how to swim when they learn under 5 years old. It is imperative to take your baby swimming to an indoor pool during the cooler months. Learning to swim is not like learning to ride a bike. Children often develop a fear of the pool from year to year. Parents get so busy with the holidays, and the cold weather does not make it appealing to go swimming!
The last time I took Caroline swimming at my neighbor's pool, she was so cold that I couldn't coax her to jump in! She put her feet in the water and wanted out, but I had to pull her in the water (making it fun by laughing and tickling her.) After I let her dunk me a few times she warmed up a little and swam to the bottom to get the hat - her new game.
This winter, I have been making phone calls to find a public pool that offers family swim. Locally, I found the Cumming Aquatic Center, Cumming Georgia. It is a little far but the hours are great and I heard that the pool is warm!
Here we are. The water is warm but it's cold in the showers!
Where do you go for family swim during the cold months?
Practice swimming in your back yard! Let's work on getting water on the face. This is a good way to lead into swimming under the water in the pool when your child does not like getting his face wet.
Fun is the name of the game when it comes to swimming!
Do this in the shower - set the signal - make it fun!
Then, when your child doesn't mind getting his face wet...
Put a toy on the step in the pool so that he has to put his face in the water to get it!
Learn to swim ideas starting with the baby's first bath
How to dunk your child with confidence
what to do if your 2 year old will not put his face under water
How to improve your child's kick
How to get your child to swim by himself
And much more - in English and Spanish!
E. Swimming to Mommy
E. loves looking at Daddy underwater
Going underwater together is a sure way to make it fun, especially if you take a picture!
Many parents are worried about putting their child under the water. If you are gentle and loving, you do not have to worry about your child going under the water. First you have to have your child used to having water on the face. You should do this in the bathtub, pouring water on the baby's face with a cup. You start with a little water and wipe his nose. As your baby gets used to that, you increase the amount of water by counting the seconds. For a baby older than around 6 months, have the baby pour water on your face or on a toy's face. Have the baby wipe his own face and your face and the toy's face making funny noises. Put a toy in the bottom of the tub and see if your child will put his face in and get it! This is a good was for the child not to forget to put his face in the water over the winter months.
How to get your child to love swimming underwater.
Babies are swimming animals before they are born! To continue this mindset, will ensure positive future swimming experiences. Squeeze the clean washcloth on the baby's face, first on the side, then over the eyes. Do this at every bath! As the child gets older, pour more water. Pouring water on the baby's face in the tub will prepare your child underwater submersion in a pool. This does not harm your baby. These babies are used to having water on their face.
Make sure to pour water on the face of your baby in the bath, then do the same in the pool. Don't forget to play games have fun!
Watch the video on youtube and subscribe to my channel for more baby swim videos that will answer all your questions, and buy my DVD, Learn to Swim with Miss Bea. youtube video - Learn to Swim with Miss bea
Many have called me through the years to ask my advice about their special needs children. When Hannah's sweet mama recently reached out to me uncertain about the swim lessons she had just started with her little 10 month old, I told her to go for it! Take it easy and have fun and keep it up all year!
This Summer your child was well on the way to becoming a confident swimmer. But it seemed to be taking forever and you just didn't have time to devote to this very important life skill. Even though the weather is not conducive to swimming, find an indoor pool where you can go to continue to practice - even once a month. If you don't have a pool near by nor any swimming lessons available for your children, then you have to practice in the tub! Fill up the tub and practice. Even get goggles and put them on in the tub to catch the toys at the bottom.
Getting a toy from the bottom
Proud that he did it!
The most important thing is for the child to be comfortable going under the water.
Don't give up! It takes time and dedication. Some children need lots of help and support before they take off swimming on their own. I'm proud of this Daddy practicing in the hotel pool while on vacation! He is right there for 4 year old James as he plays going under water and diving for toys.
It is important not to get discouraged and give up on your child but take advantage of every chance you get in the pool. Practice in the bathtub or hot tub every chance you get.
YOU can put your child underwater! It is so good for your baby!
I want to teach you this parenting skill.
Watch this video and do this with your baby!
Even with my experience with so many other babies, I was nervous and excited his first time with Parker at the pool at 3 months. We played and floated and I poured water on his face like his parents have been doing in his bath. I really don't get too many babies that young and was afraid he would choke on the water... Don't you feel that way too? Well, even though I pretty much cut that out of the video, he did choke a little but it only lasted about 2 seconds and then he was fine. I stroked his cheek and talked him through it. I knew that I had to do it again and told myself that if he choked again I would work more in the tub... Thankfully, the second time going under, he was fine. It works!!!
As you can see in the video, soon he was gliding and smiling.
This is baby swimming that is good for you and your baby, and research supports it.
Have an attitude of fun!
Parker underwater - grandchild number 6 - swimming early!
Even if you can't get to the pool, continue pouring water on his face at least once a week, don't let him forget! Go to a pool once a month even in the winter!
Write me your ideas and suggestions as well as your questions and concerns!
Once your child will willingly glide underwater to another person, we can say that he is "swimming"! Now your job is to have your child gain more control in the water. He is not water safe, and needs you every second. Thanks to my friend Linda for sending me this video that I want to share with you. Here, little Andrew is being a shark. Listen as Andrew yells: "I eat your fingers" while he swims back and forth between Grandma and Daddy, never tiring, doing more and more.
Children need to feel confortable swimming in any type of water: pool, ocean, or lake. Practice with them and teach them how to be safe always enjoying every moment! Watch my grandchildren practice swimming in the ocean on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
I am so excited to share my latest imovie! Take one minute to laugh while you watch Bella playing with a dead fish on the beach! I usually only post about swimming but I prepared this video of my granddaughter while on vacation. Funny! Hope you enjoy this and share it with your friends!
The underwater world is strange to a baby and has weird sounds. Everything is blurry if you don't wear goggles. It can sometimes be scary to a young child. But if he sees your face when he is under the water he will get excited and forget all his troubles. Your child will just kick and dig and have fun while "swimming" to your face! Don't worry about your hair, or makeup. It is all worth it! You will be amazed at how he will love going under the water! And the best thing is that after a few times it won't matter if your are under there or not. Your child will love it!
The Learn to Swim with Miss DVD can give parents knowledge to teach their children to be safe in the water from their first bath. Many parents don't think about swimming until their child can walk. But early water safety skills can save your baby's life! The most basic skill is for your baby to be familiar with having water on the face, knowing not to swallow water. Even without going to swimming lessons, parents can play games with their baby in the tub and pool that can save their life.
Babies can hold their breath for even more than 2 minutes! This is longer than adults. Many drowning rescues occur in that time frame. If a baby can hold his breath, he will survive. The Learn to Swim with Miss Bea DVD has many more activities for the bathtub and for the swimming pool for children up to 4 years old.
Don't wait till you child is ready to swim; there are things you can do to make your child want to swim, even if your child is scared of the water. You may believe that you can't teach your own child, but that is simply not true! Parents will feel confident in teaching their own children following the simple step by step demonstrations by parents and their children on the DVD.
Two twelve year old boys started a nonprofit organization called Goggles for Guppies. They are making a big difference, one child at a time. Here is the Goggles for Guppies facebook page When you watch the video, watch especially the first and last parts.
This is from the Goggles for Guppies website: Goggles
for Guppies, a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, was founded in 2011 by
southern California twin swimmers Chris and Matt Hales. We are a
volunteer organization that distributes donated swim equipment to
underprivileged children while providing community service opportunities
for athletes as well as for intermediate and high school students who
need to fulfill their community service requirements for graduation. Since
our beginning, we have distributed well over $250,000 worth of swim
suits, caps and goggles to encourage underprivileged children to learn
to swim. We solicit and accept all sizes of donations of unsold
inventory from sporting goods manufacturers, distributors and retailers
for distribution to learn-to-swim programs throughout America that
provide basic, life-saving swimming skills to disadvantaged kids. Today,
we are proud to be the exclusive distributor of donated swim equipment
for the USA Swimming Foundation's Make-A-Splash initiative.
Goggles
for Guppies, a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, was founded in 2011 by
southern California twin swimmers Chris and Matt Hales. We are a
volunteer organization that distributes donated swim equipment to
underprivileged children while providing community service opportunities
for athletes as well as for intermediate and high school students who
need to fulfill their community service requirements for graduation.
Since
our beginning, we have distributed well over $250,000 worth of swim
suits, caps and goggles to encourage underprivileged children to learn
to swim. We solicit and accept all sizes of donations of unsold
inventory from sporting goods manufacturers, distributors and retailers
for distribution to learn-to-swim programs throughout America that
provide basic, life-saving swimming skills to disadvantaged kids. Today,
we are proud to be the exclusive distributor of donated swim equipment
for the USA Swimming Foundation's Make-A-Splash initiative.
"The Make-A-Splash initiative has experienced exponential growth since its
inception in 2007 and has granted $2.5 million to provide free or
reduced cost swimming lessons to children who might not otherwise have
the chance. To date, more than 1.5 million kids have received the
life-saving gift of swim lessons through the Make-A-Splash Local Partner
network, comprised of more than 550 qualified lesson providers across
the nation".
Here is their facebook page and video that highlights their efforts. Be a part of it!
TAKE STEPS TO BE SAFER AROUND THE WATER
- Learn to Swim!
- Follow pool rules.
- Never swim alone. Use the buddy system and choose locations with certified lifeguards whenever possible.
- If someone in the water is in trouble, reach, throw, but don’t go!
WHY MAKE A SPLASH? - Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of childhood accidental death
- Ten people drown each day in the U.S.
- Seven out of ten African-American children cannot swim
- Six out of ten Hispanic children cannot swim
- 40% of Caucasian children have low or no swimming ability
- Children from non-swimming households are eight times more likely to be
at-risk of drowning
- Participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%.
BABIES UNDER 6 MONTHS:The swimming reflex makes
babies look like they are swimming. Babies will naturally move their
arms and legs underwater. You won't need to teach your baby any
underwater motions. That is why you want to start your baby swimming
very young!
FOR CHILDREN 6 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS OLD:
If your baby doesn't naturally kick, get low in the water and have him lean on your shoulder.
Move your baby's legs up and down at the knees while you walk backwards.
Have another adult move your baby's legs up and down.
Hold your baby securely. As your baby kicks, you walk backwards towards a toy or another person.
FOR OLDER CHILDREN NEEDING HELP: Use a floatie
Place your child's hands on the float.
Use your arms to move your child's legs up and down, bending the knees, flopping the feet, while moving to a toy.
Try to achieve a happy medium of bending and splashing.
You can also place your arm just above your child's knees to prevent his legs from going too deep.
You child will continue to kick until he reaches the toy. This is the beginning of swimming!
FOR OLDER CHILDREN A BETTER KICK:
Hold the child facing you. Have the child kick really hard, while you pretend to crash the wall.
Hold the child under the arms and tell him to kick to the toy while you walk toward the toy.
Have the child push off the steps and kick to you getting in a horizontal position.
I had my own swimming lesson business in my back yard for over 30 summers! If you have a pool you might be able to have your own swimming lesson business. I can help you!
In this article by Aquatics International swimmers are encouraged to "Jump in!
The industry has lucrative careers for young people passionate about swimming."
If you want to make it a full time career, I agree with the article that it is complicated and can be expensive to start. But, you can do this for the summers only and don't have to invest a lot of money.
"Once you’ve decided you can handle the high-octane environment that is a
swimming business, you’ll need to thoroughly explore all the options.
Opportunities in this industry aren’t often exposed, resulting in a
highly unrecognized career path. However, there are multiple arenas out
there, and you must be brave enough to step out of your comfort zone to
scrutinize each one individually and determine what is right for you."
From my own experience, I had very little overhead and lots of profit. I can teach you how to keep it simple and fun! I am retired and not in the pool teaching swimming myself any more. I want to help others now. I have my dvd with the swimming lesson steps, for the instructors and parents and time. I would also love to have excuses to travel and would come to your town for free advertising when you start.
Why? "The most common reason people give for their love affair
with swimming instruction is the instant gratification factor. You can
teach a child to read, play music and dance ballet, which are all great
things, but they also are long-term processes that can take years to
acquire. With swimming, however, one day the child is frightened; the
next day, they can do it. It’s the best feeling in the world, which is
perhaps why it draws people back year after year." Email me or call me!
When it’s time for baby’s
first bath we get nervous because the baby is slippery, she might get cold, we
have to be careful about her belly button.When we google "baby’s first bath” we find all kinds
of suggestions and rituals.But I
know that my baby was in a liquid environment for 9 months, why shouldn’t he
love his bath?I would get all prepared
and go for it!
So, how best to approach
the baby’s first bath? This is Julie's story:
My baby was born in January and it was cold so I
put a space heater in the bathroom until the bathroom was toasty warm.Then I filled the baby tub about 5
inches with water that felt warm to my elbow (because I read that
somewhere).Then I laid my baby
into the baby tub that holds her in a reclined position and covered her with
the “babyluve towel” (a great gift from my aunt).
I promise you that she seemed to give me the most peaceful
look.She just laid there!! I sang
to her and talked to her as I poured more warm water over her chest to keep the
towel warm.When I washed her
gently, I was confident as she kept her eyes on mine.Good thing Daddy was around to help me get her out of the
tub with her hooded towel.Then we
wrapped her up in several warm blankets.Until I felt that she was dry and her body “normal”.I’m glad that she didn’t pee on
me.Next time I will put a diaper
under her bottom with theblankets just in case.
In later baths I started
to gently pour water on her face with a washcloth and wipe her nose so she
would get used to water on her eyes and face.Then with a small cup, I would count to three and pour about
one ounce of water over her face.Then, gently wipe her nose.
