Special Needs Kids Need Swimming Lessons too!

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!

Hannah and her mami, uncertain about the water!!

Hanna's first swimming lessons. 

Start your lessons in the tub!!

My newest grandbaby...

Will my child ever learn how to swim?

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.

Swimming with baby Parker

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!

I'm going to eat your fingers - shark

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.

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.

Baby sees YOU under the water when he swims to you!

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!

Water Safety Month- Teach your baby to swim!

May is National Water Safety Month.  

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.

Order today.