Teach your child how to swim

I have six years experience in swim lessons and summer camps; some of the most stressful times for a parent can be in the summer while their child is near the water. Well I have some good news, if your child does not know how to swim, teaching them is not as hard as you think as long as you follow these guidelines.

First you must learn some tips that I have learned through my experience:

• · From my experience I have noticed children do not respond well in one-on-one swim lessons with their parents. If they are in the pool with a stranger, than they listen and will respond a lot easier. It would also be a lot easier for the instructor if you were not in site, you don’t have to go too far but as long as they see you, some children will cry until you come back to them.
• · IF you truly do not want another swim instructor, or you just don’t have the money for one, try borrowing another one of your Childs friends to join in the swim lessons. This way the other child will be more willing to join in the lessons with you and your own child should follow, not wanting them to have all your attention.
• · The biggest obstacle for most unwilling swimmers is being comfortable underwater, most of them are even to afraid to put their head under water. DO NOT FORCE THERE HEAD UNDERWATER OR “ACCIDENTLY DROP THEM” this will just support their assumption that being underwater is bad.
• · Remember the most important part of teaching your child to swim is getting them COMFORTABLE IN WATER!

After understanding those small but important pieces of advice, you can start to classify which level your child is currently at in learning to swim.

WILL NOT PUT HEAD UNDERWATER

· If your child refuses to put his/her head underwater at all.

· Does not feel comfortable leaving your shoulder.

· Prefers the doggy paddle method of swimming.

Follow this link:

Part 1. Begginning Dunking Games

WILL NOT KEEP HEAD UNDER WATER FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME

· If you child refuses to keep his/her head under water for extended periods of time

· Will dunk his head but can not swim deeper

· Will try to swim but does not do it well

Follow these links: Part 2. Intermediate Dunking Games(COMING SOON)

Part 3. Various Floating Techniques

WILL KEEP HEAD UNDERWATER FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME

If you child is great at floating in the water face down as well as on his/her back, than he or she is ready for beginning strokes.

Part 4. Beginning strokes(Freestyle)

Part 5. Beginning strokes(Backstroke)

Part 6. Beginning strokes(Breaststroke)