Top 5 tips to improve toddler swim lessons

How do you, as a parent or guardian, improve your child’s swim lessons? Simply by being you. Remember that you are an influential part of your child’s life. You help them through different stages of their life. Your child(ren) looks at you for everything; for help, for advice, for swim lessons, etc. You are an important factor to your child’s improvement in general. So what can you do as a parent or guardian to improve your child’s swim lessons?

Here are five tips that you can follow to improve your child’s swim lessons.

Tip 1: Buy the appropriate swim equipment (i.e. swimsuits, floaties, sunscreen, goggles, etc.) for your child.

Following this tip will allow your child to have the best swim lesson possible. They will be comfortable, protected, and enjoy their swim equipment. It is important that your child wears the right swim equipment because if it is too small or too big, then it will be uncomfortable for your child. It will also limit your child’s movements in the water.

For those that need diapers, it is important to have swim diapers because regular diapers in the water will cause the diaper to expand and possibly explode. Be sure to try the swim equipment before the child’s swim lesson to ensure that everything is working and there are no negative reactions. Overall, getting the appropriate swim equipment is important and will improve your child’s swim lessons.

Tip 2: Talk about water safety with your child.

It is important to talk and emphasize to your child about water safety. They should know that you are concerned for their safety, and want to review the rules when in the water. The rules should include: (a) no running near the water, only walking; (b) that an adult needs to be present if the child wants to go into the water; (c) no roughhousing in the water; and (d) if the child falls into the water, it is important for the child to swim back and get out. Not only should you go over this with your child, but your child should know the rules even when you are not around. Water safety is important and is there as a protection. This tip will improve your child’s swim lesson by allowing your child to know that there are rules in place to ensure their safety.

Tip 3: Have your child practice being comfortable with the water.

Practicing water comfort can be done in a few ways. As a parent or guardian, you can sit with the child in the water and slowly emerge different body parts into the water. You can also do this when your child is taking a bath. Be sure to bring a cup so that the child can pour water onto their head and face. If your child has a fear of the water, then begin with small drops of water from the sink to show your child that he or she is safe. Remember that it is important that your child feels safe through this process. Safety will soon turn into comfortability with more practice, which will all improve your child’s swim lessons.

Tip 4: Practice other swim techniques at home with your child.

Practicing will only help your child in the upcoming swim lessons. Ask the swim instructor for homework that you can practice with your child. Some homework assignments might include moving the child’s arms as they would if they were in the water. They can also learn to hold their breath while you count for them; the goal is 5 seconds. You can also have your child sit on a chair or lay on the floor and kick their legs to practice those kicking movements when swimming in the water. There are many ways to practice swimming techniques at home, just ask your swim instructor or search online. The constant practice will only show improvement in your child’s swim lessons.

Tip 5: Do not forget to be encouraging and supportive to your child while they are swimming and practicing.

It is important for your child to know that they are making improvements during their swim lessons and while practicing. The only way they will know that is by verbally expressing that through praise and encouragement. Along with the swim instructor, be sure to let your child know how well they are doing and be excited for them when they are able to accomplish something. Encouragement and being supportive will only allow your child to grow and improve in their future swim lessons.

These tips are meant to be beneficial for both you and your child. Again, you as a parent or guardian are your child’s biggest influence in their life. Just follow these five tips and you are sure to improve your child’s swim lessons.

Samanta Nguyen's bio:

Swim instructor in Chicago

My name is Samantha. I am 25 years old and a full-time graduate student in the field of psychology. I have been a swim instructor for 2½ years; 1 year at Sunsational Swim School. I enjoy teaching babies and young children because of their eagerness to learn and have fun. Although, it is always a fun time in the water when teaching someone to swim. I enjoy the smiles and excitement that are expressed from the parents and children as they see the progression with each swim lesson. My favorite part of the job is being able to be a guide in teaching someone to swim. The job is neither difficult or easy, but instead it is fulfilling and inspirational. When I am not teaching someone to swim, then I enjoy my time with my family and my two dogs.