To help children develop the skills needed to be safe in the water, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends formal swim lessons as a layer of protection against drowning. And while the current guidelines from the AAP are considered best practice, not all families can afford swim lessons. This means parents and caregivers often need to step in and teach their children the basics on their own.
Safety First
When it comes to teaching your child to swim, the number one rule, of course, is safety. “At all ages, there are important safety rules to follow no matter what the ability level of the swimmer is,” explains James Collins, vice president of curriculum at Goldfish Swim School. His best advice? Always go over water safety rules with your children. “Kids respond incredibly well to pictures and photos, so try finding a fun image to help them remember the safety rules,” says Collins. To get started on the right track, consider the pool safety guidelines from the AAP.
Always be close by when your child is in the pool. If you do need to leave, take them with you. If the pool is at a residence, make sure the gates open out from the pool and self-close and self-latch at a height children can’t reach. Also, ensure the pool’s gate is at least four feet tall on all sides and completely separates the pool from the house and yard. The parent or caregiver that plans on teaching your child should also know how to swim and perform CPR. When working with your child, avoid using inflatable swimming aids such as floaties. If your child needs a flotation device, use a life jacket.
Address Your Child’s Fears
If you have a reluctant swimmer or a kiddo who is afraid of the water, you can help prepare them for the pool without even dipping their toes in the water.
Condition them for the water: Fill a small cup with warm water (not too warm) and pour a small, steady stream of water over your child’s shoulders and head. Collins says this will help them get used to the water and its temperature. Let them experiment: As your child begins to show interest in going into the pool, give them a pair of goggles to wear while in the tub or shower. Collins explains that this can get a child familiar with the benefits of using goggles, which can help to create a more positive experience at the pool.Play in the bathtub: Another great way to teach them that water is fun is blowing bubbles and playing in the bathtub.
Make It Fun
Once you get them in the pool, there are several games you can play to get them excited about swimming.
Blow bubbles: This activity may seem simple, but kids love blowing bubbles, which helps them get used to being in the water. Get them used to goggles: “Goggles are a great way to make a child feel more comfortable in the water since they allow swimmers to see underwater clearly, which takes away the fear of the unknown,” explains Collins. Play some fun games: As kids become more comfortable, Collins says to play games with them, such as diving for rings (with your assistance) or kicking with a red light, green light game. Practice climbing in and out of the pool: Have your child practice holding on to the side of the wall and climbing out of the pool to safety. Use a lifejacket: Swimming with a lifejacket helps with movement in the water, which Collins says can be very useful to develop effective pulling and kicking motions.
Guidelines by Age
Acclimating kids to the water will look different for babies than it will for older children. Here are some guidelines for teaching babies, toddlers, and older kids to swim.
Babies
When at the local pool or in the bathtub at home, Collins says that parents can pour a small, steady stream of water on the crown of a child’s head to condition them to feel more comfortable with water in their face. “It’s important for parents to remain calm and celebrate when conditioning takes place to keep the experience positive,” he says. In the pool, have your child splash around as much as they can. This helps them get used to the resistance of the water. While standing in the water, place your baby on their back and allow them to experience the feeling of floating (with your assistance, of course) while you walk backward.
Toddlers
Blowing bubbles and looking for items such as rings or small pool-safe toy animals in the water is a great way for toddlers to get more comfortable with the water. That said, make sure to watch your toddler when close to any water source. “At this age, they are very curious, and this can lead to situations where water can become extremely dangerous,” Collins says. When they are ready to advance, practice “swimming” with your child. This helps to familiarize them with floating and using their arms and legs. Start by having them hold onto the edge of the pool. Keep the distance between you and your child about an arm’s length away. Encourage them to let go and swim towards you any way they can. This may take the form of doggie paddling, and that is okay. The point is not to perfect a swim stroke but to help them gain confidence and have fun. As they become more comfortable, increase the distance between you and the wall.
Older Kids
Elementary-age kids, such as kindergarten to second grade, are often young enough to still need you in the pool with them. Use pool time as an opportunity to talk to them about the importance of safety in and around water. When in the pool with your emerging swimmer, Collins says to give them small challenges like putting their face in the water, jumping to your arms from the side of the pool, and touching the bottom of the pool at the shallow end. And of course, always remember to celebrate.
Teens
When your child reaches middle school age, Collins says they are often easily embarrassed about their lack of swimming ability, making this a great time for parents to have an open dialog about water safety. Since teenagers are more rational, he recommends watching videos on water safety, especially since learning the facts about drowning can be a real eye-opener. At this age, most teens can stand up with their heads above water in some parts of the pool. Once they find a water level they are comfortable with, Collins says to have them try to swim three feet, then five feet, then 10 feet, standing up when they need to.
A Word from Verywell
Teaching your child to swim starts with keeping them safe when they are around water. Be sure that your child understands the rules at a pool or the beach, and always be nearby and have an eye on them while they swim. After acclimating them to the water, you can move on to basic swimming skills such as kicking, moving their arms, and the doggie paddle. It’s never too early or too late to learn to swim. Babies as young as four months to teenagers can learn swimming skills. And knowing how to swim will keep your child safer in the water.
