There has been a lot of controversy around the correct time
you should introduce swimming to your child. Some suggest beginning as early as
2 months, while others suggest waiting until they are older. There is so much
discrepancy because there is not one time that is better than the next.
The most common and recommended time to introduce swimming
to your child is around 6 months. By this age, your child will be able to have
proper head control and can also regulate their body temperature. They will
also be able to handle the harsh pool chemicals by this time.
Although your child was swimming in the womb for 9 months,
the pool water will be a very different experience for them. When introducing
them to the pool, be sure to slowly enter the water. This will be their first
experience with swimming, so it’s important to make them feel comfortable. While
holding your child heart-to-heart or face-to-face, enter the water slowly. By
being with them and enjoying the water, hopefully they will too!
By holding your child at face level with your shoulders
emerged into the water, they will be able to feel the buoyancy of the water.
Remember not to cradle them – hold them under their armpits in front of you. As
your child gets older and more familiar with the water, you can try other
techniques. If you hold your children’s hands and walk backwards, their bodies
will float along the surface. This is typically called ‘towing’.
Don’t try to do too much at one time. Children need to be
introduced slowly, little by little. Be sure to watch for any signs that depict
they need a break such as chattering of teeth or lips turning abnormal colors.
The typical length of water exposure of children should be around 30 minutes.
If you are having some trouble with your child enjoying the
water, try incorporating some songs or games. If your child has a favorite
song, try singing it to calm them down. If they have a favorite toy during bath
time, try incorporating that. If the toy floats, it could help them want to
reach for it.
Introducing your child to the pool may not be an easy
endeavor, but it will be worth the trouble. As they grow older, their summers
will be filled with activities with friends including swimming and they’ll be
glad to be taught by the best, their parents.
One of the key elements in learning to swim is becoming comfortable putting your face in the water. This can be part of bath time, too. Find a pool that's not too cold, so that the cold doesn't become an obstacle.
ReplyDeleteExperts say to avoid using goggles so kids can learn that getting water in the eyes is no big deal. If they are always swimming with goggles and flotation devices on, then if they accidentally fall into water without them, they can be in real big trouble. Best for them to be prepared for submersion without these. And of course a great swim towel goes a long way to making swimming an all-around fun part of growing up!