Practice Swimming in the Ocean

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.

Zaven's Wishes - One Year later

Nine year old Zaven Sears drowned one year ago after sneaking into a country club pool.  His parents have started a foundation to provide swimming lessons and teach life-saving skills.  Children who would not go for swimming lessons are being taught how to survive and help others in a water emergency!

The Zaven's Wishes Foundation's mission reports the following statistics:

An estimated 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized due to unintentional drowning-related incidents each year; 15 percent die in the hospital and as many as 20 percent suffer severe, permanent neurological disability.
National Safety Council

19% of drowning deaths involving children occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present.
Drowning Prevention Foundation

The majority of children who survive (92 percent) are discovered within two minutes following submersion, and most children who die (86 percent) are found after 10 minutes. Nearly all who require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) die or are left with severe brain injury.

I believe that even children who are afraid of the water should be taught basic water saving skills.  I don't think parents should wait until their child is "ready."  That child will not have a chance to survive!

Since the majority of children are discovered within two minutes following submersion, children who know how to hold their breath (even if they can't swim) have a greater chance of being rescued without suffering effects of water intoxication.  It is so easy to teach a child how to hold their breath.  A parent can do it in the bathtub and from the baby's first bath!  But parents have to be told and taught!

Also, children should practice opening their eyes under the water without goggles.   A child who can swim may panic if the goggles fall off because they think they need them to see under the water!

I learned this while teaching hundreds of children to swim!  How can we get the word out?

Some kids will cry at EACH Swimming Lesson

I am meeting many wonderful Swimming Specialists on-line. Here is what Victoria Campbell  writes to help parents of crying kids:

"First Days of Swim lessons are often filled with tears. Even my returning little ones who loved the water last year typically start off the new season with a day or so of tears.

For new students tears usually fall into 3 categories. First the little one who would just as easily start to cry if left in the church nursery is reacting to being handed by their Momma or Daddy to an unfamiliar person. Second, starting lessons is an introduction into a whole new experience with the water. Some have only been in the bath before. Some have been in the pool but never had their face in the water. Finally, tears are fairly common in the older child who has gotten comfortable wearing their floaties or staying only on the pool steps. Many of these children are cautious by nature and have become somewhat reluctant/apprehensive regarding the idea of learning to swim.

Seeing a child cry during lessons can be one of the most difficult parts of the process. As a parent who loves their child that is completely understandable. Here's a few things to help both you and your child through this time. First remember your child's cries are caused by many different things. It is still the way that they communicate when they are frustrated, angry, hungry, tired etc. Try to be encouraging and positive before during and after your child’s lesson. If your child brings up swimming for example saying , “No swimming lesson Mommy,” you can either gently redirect him or her to something else or say something like Mommy is so proud of how you are learning to swim like a fish. Don’t get caught up in a discussion trying to rationalize with him…it won’t work! Also don’t apologize for making her go to lessons or say, “I know this is scary.” This only focuses both of your attention on the negative and will promote more tears. During lessons, your child wants to see your confident smile when she looks at you on the pool deck. Let your child see that you feel good about what is going on in the lesson and your pride at how hard she is working. Clapping and smiling works great! Once the lesson is over praise him for his hard work is a must. Say, “Daddy saw you use your arms and legs to get to the steps. Wow, you went underwater just like Nemo or Ariel!”

As the days pass, you will be amazed by your child’s accomplishments. Most parents will see a decrease in their child’s level of crying and in some cases it will stop as the child feels the sense of accomplishment and revels in the praise he or she is receiving. It is this transition from tears to cheers that I find most satisfying as an instructor. I accept that some tears are part of the process but when a child shows up happy and ready to swim truly enjoying the experience this is as good as it gets! Nevertheless even if your child does continue to complain throughout the lessons, don’t despair. He or she is learning a valuable, potentially lifesaving skill and by next year that child will probably be done with tears. Some children also cry at every lesson but don't cry at all in the pool with Mom or Dad. Every child is unique.

As hard as these days seem, you will look back and be so grateful having made the commitment to giving your child this instruction at an early age. And sadly for his or her instructor the day comes when lessons will not even be a memory and your child will only remember the joy that comes with swimming."

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