Ways Toddlers Learn How To Swim

How do you make your T.O.D.D.L.E.R.S  S.W.I.M?

T: Trust

Trust takes time. Call and talk with parents before the first lesson. Explain your plan. Request that a parent enter pool for the first lesson. Parent/instructor together may alleviate initial stranger danger.

O: One or Two Toys

This adds a playful warm-up, and limits distractions that a bucketful of toys will cause. Bring back the toy the child likes best along with a new toy. New toys motivate toddlers.

D: Do Not Trick

Never trick toddlersinto doing something that causes fear. You will lose trust. A common fear is submersion. They are afraid you will let go. If you tell them you are not going to let go, Do Not Let Go! On the other hand, if you are going to let go, be sure they can hold their breath for the time you let them go.

D: Demonstrate and Direct

Show toddlers how you want them to do something then direct them to try. I show them how to kick with a splash. Then I say, “You try it.” Toddlers are great imitators.

L: Lengthen Time

Time is counted in seconds, minutes, or number of turns. Seconds: If the toddler dips whole face in water (mouth closed) for 1 second say, “Wow, you can do that to one. Now watch me do it for 2.” I put my face in and show fingers (1, 2). I bring face up and show the toddler how to count fingers. Then I direct, “You dip your face for one, two.” Minutes: As toddlers gain stamina, lengthen the number of minutes they are working before rest or play. When a toddler can kick on the noodle for a minute I start using a timer that beeps. I demonstrate kicking on the noodle until the timer beeps. Then I direct and help the toddler kick on the noodle until the timer beeps. Increase time. Turns: If toddlers cry every time I reach for them, I introduce turns. I start with 3 turns. I tell the toddler he/she will walk with me in the pool 3 times. A turn means holding the toddler and walking away from the parent (caregiver). During the walk it is essential for me to stay calm, use a soothing voice, and talk to toddlers. I reassure with the following: It’s ok to cry. I know you are a little afraid. I’m your swimming teacher. You’re safe with me. I won’t let go. Sometimes we bring a toy on our walk. The length of time I walk depends on toddlers’ discomfort. If the toddler is screaming, the walk is short. If toddlers are whimpering, it is longer. When a turn is done, the toddler can play or rest near mom. Extend the number and duration of turns during the next lesson.

E: Energy, Enthusiasm, Encouragement

Positive energy is a must. Toddlers and caregivers should believe you are happy to be there. They are pleased when you praise the child. Encouraging words are helpful. They motivate toddlers to keep trying. Praise toddlers’ attempts even when they are not 100% correct. Cheer and coach toddlers, “Wow! I saw you reaching your hands out and pushing the water. That was awesome! Now try the same thing with hands and kick your feet too. Watch me.”

R: Routine and Repetition

Routines and repetition provide security and reinforce safety. Teach toddlers how to enter the pool for a lesson. Do it the same way every time. Good habits form with repetition. Establish a prompt for signaling work time. “Ready, Set, Go!” is a good prompt. Some instructors count, ”One, Two, Three.” Others use “Child’s name(Mary), Set, Go!” Ready gets attention. Set gets eye contact, Go is for action. Use the same prompt over and over. Consistency minimizes confusion.

S: Songs

Songs are great for learning, playing, resting.

To the tune of “Wheels on the Bus.”
The kids in the pool go up and down, etc…..”
The hands on the girls/boys/ kids go round and round….”
The feet on the _____ go kick, kick, kick…..”

At the end we clap and shout, Yay!

I sing “Ring Around the Rosie” just for fun. Toddlers love to go in circles while I hold them and swing them around. They relax knowing they don’t have to do anything.

S: Safety Basics

Reinforce pool safety during all lessons:

• No running
• Enter pool safely
• Hang on the wall & call, “MAMA!”
• Monkey crawl on wall to reach steps, ladder, or shallow
• Climb out of pool
• Back float and call, ”MAMA!”
• Back float and use hands to propel to a wall.

W: Win/Win

Create win/win learning situations when possible. For example, I tell the toddler, ”When I say Ready, Set, Go, I will let go and you kick to me.” If the toddler resists , I rethink the method and reword the request, “OK, when I say, Ready, Set, Go, I hold on and you dip your face in and kick for 3 seconds.” I win in that I get the child to hold breath and kick. Child wins because he/she gets the security of instructor holding on. Now the teaching task becomes getting the child to hold breath longer and longer to build confidence so I can let go.

I: Independence

In all skills, work toward independence. The goal is to prepare toddlers to swim all by themselves and to know what to do if they end up in water that is over their heads. They like to hear instructors say, ”You can do that all by yourself!” Say it often!

M: Make Learning Fun

Make learning fun whenever possible!

About the author: Cathleen Doheny
Cathleen Doheny is a private swim instructor for Sunsational Swim School in the Tampa Bay Area
Cathleen has taught swimming skills and safety to toddlers for 5 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher who loves to water sports of all kinds. She has experience teaching swimmers from ages 6 months to 90. She enjoys every minute of it!

Book Cathleen in the Tampa Bay area, or any of our other swim instructors in your local region.