Best way to learn to swim?

[d.k]

* I helped teach half of the kids at our big apt. complex to swim-- and we did insist on arm floaties, much better than fishing kids off the bottom. We just let the air out a little more and a little more as they got the hang of swimming. Long, (1O-2O mins.) daily KICK PRACTICE and "BOBBING" (once the floaties came off) to get yourself out of the deep end were both essentials. Not professional instruction, just a group of moms and dads doing our best! Worst problem was babies in the stupid infant rings. At least twice, the kid(s) starting jumping in them and flipped themselves upside down in the pool. Talk about a freak-out!!

 

[Parson's Wife]

Thank you for your replies! I had unexpected company (my husbands sister & husband. They just left.
Forgot to add, ya'll may have noticed....we know how to swim...but we don't seem to be able to communicate it to them...
thank you once again.

 

[Grindlefamily]

I must say, I threw out all floaties for my 8 year old daughter - and convinced her to try to swim underwater first. yes she holds her nose with one hand and swims with the other, as soon as she figured that out - then she could swim on top too. she's getting stronger with each attempt.

Louella

 

[Beekissed]

My boys still laugh about the way I taught them to swim! I used to let them hang on the side of the pool and float and kick until they were comfortable in the water. Then one day I would hold out my arms and say, "Swim to me!"

Well, at first I was close and they just jumped through the water into my arms. But each time I would take a step back when they weren't looking. You should have seen the surprise on their faces when they looked back at the side of the pool, at how far they had "swum"! They still tease me about "tricking" them into swimming farther and farther away from the pool side. I think it helped that they had a goal to swim to, and that goal was the safety of Mom's arms! The knowledge that Mom would be grabbing you if you started to sink, but still allowed you a little more room each time to correct it yourself, instilled within them the confidence to swim on their own.

They all could swim like a fish by 4 yrs. of age. We still go swimming just about every weekend in a beautiful mountain river, and they all tower over me(22,18, 16 yrs. old). And its still very important to them that I go! They say its no fun if I'm not there....go figure!

 

[miss_thenorth]

1-- Use flutter board or side of pool. Get them to kick their feet until it feels like they can move with the motion. (with flutter board, they should be able to move)

2-- Get them to stand in the water and move their hands back and forth, with fingers closed, pushing the water.

3--Stand about two feet in front of them and get them to put the two motions together, and swim to you. Increase distance as they succeed/feel comfortable. (doggy paddle)

4--Dead mans float. Hold their breath, and just float in the water. Try it face down and on back. Get them to stop (obviously) when they run out of breath.

5--treading water. Hands and feet motion, but the aim is to stay in one place.

6--Once comfortable with all these, teach them specific strokes, but with my kids, this came natural after they doggie paddled enough and wanted to go faster.

I (personally) don't think water wings and the sort are off limits. We never used tehm, but freinds kids have used them to build up their confidence in the water, and once they were off, they had all the motions down pat. Just, and i;m sure you know, don't rely on them too much. Supervision is needed at ALL times, (I know you know

)

 

[roosters97]

I agree no floats I'd just hold them and let them to get the hang of it



BTW I am not showing off I hate showing off,I'm level six swimmer could be a life guard

ETA grammar

 

[luvzmybabz]

I was certified as a life guard at 17 and took swimming lessons from the time I was 3. I tried to teach my oldest gave up and put him in lessons. My 2 youngest will start lessons next year together. They will be 3 and 5 and I think the competition will do them both good. I homeschool the 5 year old (started about 4 months ago) but do not think I have the patience to try to teach him to swim weird huh.