Most children love playing with water; it’s just so fun and exciting!
Teaching a child to swim has many benefits and it will be a useful life skill to have.
When a child is comfortable with swimming, it can be an introduction to other water-related sports activities.
The health benefits that come with swimming are great for a developing child. Improving cardiovascular health, muscle strength and coordination can be achieved by swimming regularly.
A child that knows how to swim can play safely in water (at age-appropriate pool depth).
This is a safety skill that every child should have as it reduces the chance of drowning.
What’s the Best Age for a Child to Learn to Swim
Parents can expose their children to swimming pools from age 1 onwards.
This is to help them get familiar with swimming pools.
Children at such age will not be able to understand danger or instructions, so it’s best to let them have fun splashing around with adult supervision.
Children aged 4 and onwards should be able to follow instructions. This can be a good age to start formal teaching on how to swim.
At this age, children have the mental and physical coordination to learn techniques and rules regarding safety.
Water Safety Tips
There are important safety practices that should be observed when children are at the pool or beach.
Drowning may occur with just two inches of water so it’s always best to be safe rather than sorry.
Here are some water safety tips that can help keep children safe when learning how to swim:
- Do not submerge children aged 1-3 years old
- Use a swim diaper for toddlers so the pool can remain clean for other children
- Don’t leave children unsupervised in pools or the beach
- Teach children to not run around the pool
- Use life jackets instead of floaties
- Never let the child go into the pool without an adult
- Be mindful of pool depths and teach children about the dangers of open water
Best Ways to Teach Kids to Swim According to Their Age
Swimming lessons will defer according to the age of the child.
Young children are not able to be safe nor are they able to follow instructions.
So, it’s best to take the swimming lessons slowly and progress according to the child’s physical and mental growth.
Let’s explore the ways to teach children how to swim according to their age:
How to Teach Kids to Swim: 1–2 Years Old
Children this young should not be let into the pool without an adult holding them.
Pool time at this age should be an introduction to water. Parents should be in the pool holding the toddler.
Let the child have fun by splashing and getting comfortable with being in the water.
It’s important not to let the child fear the water as this will impact their swimming lessons in the future.
How to Teach Kids to Swim: 2–3 Years Old
Toddlers at this age are more curious and playful. They can have more fun in the water (still with an adult holding them).
Parents can invent fun games and encourage them to be more active in the pool.
Throwing a ball across the pool is one of the safe and fun activities to have fun with.
They can also learn how to get their face wet without swallowing any water.
Exercises like floating and kicking their legs in water can be done with an adult.
This can help them develop muscles for proper swimming lessons when they are older.
It’s important to instil rules like no running around the pool area and removing toys from the pool after swimming.
How to Teach Kids to Swim: 4–5 Years Old
At this age, the child has developed some control over their physical coordination.
If the child has experience playing in the water and is comfortable, then you can consider formal lessons.
If not, then it’s best to let the child experience playing in water first or start with a beginner class.
The child should be able to kick their legs, move their arms and float in shallow water at this age.
They can also learn to submerge their head for 5 to 10 seconds. This can help the child slowly learn how to hold their breath underwater.
An adult should still be supervising when the child is learning the basics in a pool.
How to Teach Kids to Swim: 6 Years Old And Up
Older children can learn how to hold their breath underwater for a longer time.
Children aged 6 and onwards can learn how to jump into pools without hurting themselves.
Teach the children about the different depths a pool can have and which depth is safe for them.
Swimming lessons can now include all the swimming strokes.
An older child can endure the physical toll on the muscles when learning the strokes. They should be able to swim longer distances compared to their younger selves.
Parents need to be patient with children as not all of them can master all the abilities at a fast pace.
It is still recommended to have an adult be around the children while swimming as safety is the main priority.
Teaching children the difference between open waters and swimming pools is crucial as these bodies of water require different swimming skills to be safe.
Safety and Fun—Keys To Master Swimming
Teaching a child to swim can be rewarding to both the student and the teacher.
It’s best if the swimming lessons are kept fun and stress-free. Children learning in a positive environment can learn faster and better.
It’s important to cover all the rules regarding safety when swimming, regardless of what age the child is.
Patience and practice are key to mastering swimming so encourage the child to keep trying.
The child can become a confident swimmer with perseverance and effort. You’ve got this, parents!
For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!