Teach your kid to swim

Written by Irene Bouette

Every parent wants their kid to learn to swim, the main one being that they want their kids to be able to get out of trouble if they find themselves in the water. This is why swimming lessons for kids are so important for both kids and parents.

Teaching kids to swim is a challenging task unless the kid is a 'natural in the water'.   Unfortunately kids are not always at ease in the water from the first time Mom or Dad decides to take them to the pool for swimming lessons.

When giving swimming lessons, to help the kid to understand the techniques, it needs a softly, softly approach,  together with play, to give the kid confidence.  It is not always possible to explain a technique to kids, so the art of play is important so they get the message and realise what you are trying to get them to achieve in their swimming lessons.

This can be done in various ways during the lessons, playing with them in the water or using objects that they find fun so the water will not seem too daunting. Kids love this.

Usually the attention span is short-lived, especially for younger kids. Half an hour is the maximum and the whole time should be in an upbeat manner, never shouting or making the kid feel that he/she is a failure or their swimming lessons are getting nowhere.

I find that one to one in the water is invaluable because the kid will not feel embarrassed if he feels scared.