When Should You Teach Your Child to Swim?

Source: www.verywellfamily.com

With the increase of condo dwellings with pools, holiday resorts with pools, and even family vacays with island dives, swimming has become an inevitable skill. While learning to swim, not every child (or adult even) will take to water like ducks but flee like cats at the sight of water. How this fear manifests goes back to infancy. 

At AQUATALE Swim Academy, young learners entering our first level “SPLASH Squad” will be taught basic survival skills and individual safety through methodologies incorporating play time, survival techniques and simple instructional rules when around water.

Once confidence, water comfort, and acclimatisation are established, progressing to the next level 2 “FLIPPER Friends" for actual learn-to-swim will be less intimidating and more effective. Still, some preparations precede coming to swim lessons where parents and guardians can make a difference with how receptive a child is to this new activity.

Here are some commonly followed suggestions:

1. Explain to your child WHAT 'water safety' is with visual aids. In this age of technology, there is a massive amount of online content with pictures and videos on trending topics like this.

2. For very young children, parent's effort involving role-play and toys during bath time or at the pool is effective in setting the scenario for water safety.

3. Bring the child to a teaching centre or swim school to meet instructors to help them feel comfortable with a new face.

4. Convincing a young child why it is necessary to learn swimming as a preventive measure can be a challenge that may require understanding beyond their years. So, establish a routine incorporating swim lessons as a regular activity, similar to attending play school or any other early nurturing /education centre.

5. Give a light snack of complex carbs or easily digestible proteins, e.g. fruits (banana, apple), muesli bar, peanut butter and toast, yogurt, etc. Dont forget hydration! Bring a bottle of water.

6. Pick comfortable swimwear that is a little snug; not too loose as it swells up in the water. Swimsuits made from lightweight materials provide children with comfort during swimming, enabling unrestricted movement without discomfort.

7. Allow the child to bond with the instructor and develop communication; do not interrupt lessons. This also aids progress their social interaction and builds confidence to independently manage both in and out of aquatic environments.

8. At the end of the session, praise the child's effort and where needed, encourage them not to give up. A reward for a job well done will not hurt! When parents create an environment that priorities both security and happiness, it cultivates a space in which young swimmers are motivated to learn and strive to excel.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the journey of learning to swim extends beyond the pool, imparting valuable life skills, building resilience, and enhancing overall well-being. Through a combination of patience, preparation, and positive reinforcement, Aquatale Swim Academy empowers our students to not only conquer their fears but also to navigate the waters of life with confidence and competence! Feel free to contact us now for more information on our swimming programmes for kids!

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