Go Swimming, Don't let your child forget!

The sunrise on St. Simon's Island this winter reminds me that there is a Spring coming!  Just like the tide, the seasons change and soon it will be Spring and Summer again.  Time to think about swimming lessons.   

Hopefully you have been "swimming" in the bathtub.

If you haven't taken your child swimming all winter - do it soon!  Your child may have already forgotten much of what he learned.  You need to treat the time at the pool as a new adventure!  Don't have expectations.  Your child will look at the water with more mature eyes.  His attitude of joy and excitement will depend on you!  Show him how you like the water.  Go under the water first and swim to him.  Laugh and enjoy it.

Turn on my Learn to Swim with Miss Bea dvd, and watch it again and again and your child will see himself in one of the kids that are having fun and learning how to swim.

Your child forgot what she learned last year!

Spring is here and you have not had time to go to the pool all winter!  Your child thinks that she has forgotten everything he learned but he really hasn't.  Just like in school, everything has to be retaught over and over.  Start from the beginning.  Don't give your child a feeling of inadequacy or let her get scared because she has lost the confidence she had last year. 

Each child will learn at her own pace, gently lead her to overcome fears while understanding her feelings.  Keep eye contact with the child when you give directions and use a soothing voice.  

And don’t let the child forget during the year again.  Practice in the tub or try to go to an indoor pool or a Jacuzzi once a month.  Then your child will look forward to swimming all year long!

My child loves her bath but is scared at the pool!

Playing and floating in the bathtub

My child is scared of the pool but loves the bath…

Something may have set your child to being scared.  

As a child gets to be 3 years old, it does make sense that the child will see that there is danger in "big water."  It is a healthy fear; one that saves young children from jumping into a pool unattended.  However, you want your child to feel safe when you are there.  

Here are some ideas:

• Bring some of his favorite bath-tub toys and play near the pool.  Then, sit your child at the edge of the pool and you get in and play with the toys, inviting your child to get in with you. 
• If the pool has long steps, sit on the steps and see if your child wil sit there with you.  
• If you are impatient or your child still doesn’t want to get in the pool, You may have to just hold him and carry him into the water.  Sing, jump around, talk softly and ignore any crying while sounding like you are having fun.  
• Go to the pool every day but just for short periods.  
• Don’t tell him ahead of time where you are going and let him see you have fun.  
• Take a relative or little friend who likes the water and can help your child forget his fears. 

Soon your little one will be playing and splashing and ready for going under the water!!

Any child can learn to swim, and you can teach them! If your child doesn't like water in his eyes...

James 3 months going under water

 

My child doesn’t like water in his eyes…

From the baby’s first bath, you need to pour water over his face.  This will help prepare him to go under water.

But if you haven’t been doing this, try this as a game in the bath. Have the child pour water on a bath-tub toy’s head, then wipe it’s face. Have the child pour water on your face and then wipe your eyes.  It will be worth it believe me.  You can make sputtering noises to make it fun!

When it’s your child’s turn, tell him what you are going to do, count to 3 and put water over his head so that some of the water goes on his face.  Do this before you use any shampoo or soap. You may give the child a towel to wipe his face right way but let him ask for it. 

The best time to prepare your child for swimming is from his first bath.  Then before he is 6 months he can  be taught to hold his breath by blowing in his face. This is the link from Swimbea.com

Blow in his face

He takes a breath, automatically

Ready to go under water

Holding breath

What do you think?  Write me a comment or question.
Miss Bea 

Why do young children drown in shallow water?

How can a 2 year old who loves the water drown in shallow water?  

Have you heard of a baby who drowned in the bathtub?  How can that happen? 
The parent only left the child alone for  "a minute"! 

onto his belly and he doesn't know how to push himself up.  

We have to teach our baby to push up.  It is not an easy task for a baby or a toddler, even when they can do it on land!  

I believe that there is a valuable skill that very few parents and swim instructors address.  Even if a child can hold his breath and even swim a little, they can become a drowning statistic.  

Can your child go to a stand up position in shallow water from a prone swimming position?  

Let’s say your child is playing on the steps of the pool or in a shallow “baby pool”.  I have taught children who can swim from me to the side of the pool, but when they slipped on the steps they could not get up; did not think to reach for the step and push their faces up.  Parents and swim instructors, practice this with your child!  Teach how to stand up in shallow water.  It is a necessary survival skill.