swimming

[porter218]

I have recently been trying to teach my daughter to swim and I wondered if there were any suggestions. She is 1 1/2 and is starting to use her puddle jumper floaty thingy without me holding her. I really want her to be able to go in unassisted next summer but I don't how to get her there. My son just picked it up naturally by my daughters age but she has been resistant until just the past few weeks. Any helpful advice or tricks?

[IfWishesWereHorses]

My son picked it up naturally as well, thank God. He jumped in one day as we stopped to sign in and before the life guard or another parent got there he was back up and swimming.

 

I think for a child that is somewhat reserved that teaching them to kick using a ring then a board or while holding on to the side helps start the process and gets them comfortable. A game of blowing bubbles in the water till they are comfortable. Then dropping coins or rings just deep enough in the baby pool that they have to put their face under to get them. Next, in the big pool while you hold outstretched hands and they kick as you move backwards, then dropping the hands for a second to see how the do. Next is holding on from behind and teaching them to "swim" with their arms. When they are able to swim to you four or five feet then back to the side to hold on and learn to blow bubbles then to turn head to the side to breath, then blow more bubbles.

 

Then you put them in swim lessons! That's the way we did it with my daughter.

[porter218]

Thanks IWWH. I can see how that will work. I will try to get her to put her head under in the baby pool. I am thinking she probably will be capable because she puts her face a little under in the bath and seems to always hold her breath.. I swear it just so nerve racking to let them put their faces under the water:eek:.

[laRubiaBonita]

practice bubbles and kicking and, in shallow tub water, have her lay on her back to get used to the water in her ears

[porter218]

We tried blowing bubbles last night and she was having fun with it but she freaks out if she gets her hair wet. I don't know if that is fear or if it is vanity:laugh:

[IfWishesWereHorses]

We tried blowing bubbles last night and she was having fun with it but she freaks out if she gets her hair wet. I don't know if that is fear or if it is vanity:laugh:

 

I SO resemble that statement! I wonder if she would like a swim cap! I think that the MOST important thing is that its fun and that they don't have fear. Other kids help a ton. My H taught just about every toddler at our club to swim and dive and even the skiddish ones gave in because they wanted to do what the other kids where doing.