How did you teach your LO to swim?

[Lissybits]

Hi girls,

Just after a bit of advice as how to take the final step to swimming.

DS has absolutely no fear of the water - has no problem if he falls over in the sea and laughs if the waves come over his face  etc

He has refused to wear armbands but will happily hold on to a float, or I just hold my arm under his tummy and he's happy to kick - but he hasn't quite understood that you have to doggy paddle with your arms too.

His favourite thing is to put his hands down on the sand in the shallow water and lift his legs up to float! He will happily stay like this for ages and 'walks' around like it too.

I'm not sure what the next step is for me. Obviously, when DH comes to the beach (just Sat and Sun), we push DS from one to the other and he loves this, even if he does sink!

What should I be doing next?

Thanks,
Lis

[amywiz24]

I have no idea, but am curious of others' ideas as we have a pool.
Will your DS wear a life jacket--that  may help him understand. We use one for DS in teh pool, but he isn't quite confortable letting it (instead of us) support him; it sounds like your DS would be totally comfortable with that (if he would wear it)

[aidliz]

Ds is now in swim lessons.  Not going so well for us.

What they do is put a floating devise on their back( it is square and straps around their belly) and tell them to kick and move their arms.  When they a re about 5 feet from the side of the pool they let go and the kids swim to the side.  The floaty doesnt keep them afloat it just helps them not sink like a bag of bricks.

Im sure it is more difficult to teach a lo to swim in the ocean.  They also have them jump off the side and when they are ready they let them go under so they learn to hold their breath.  they also hold them and have them practice arm strokes.  Another thing is they teach them to float on their backs, I think it is because it is easier to float on the back...i think

[Lissybits]

Thanks Aidliz
I like the idea of the floating device - I'll have to see if I can find one here. I don't think he'd object to that so much. He finds the armbands too bulky

Why is it not going so well for your DS?

Lis - to DS!

[aidliz]

He is very anxious, he loves to go swimming, but not to swimming lessons.  I think the water might be too deep for his liking, it is up to his chin and he wont move away from the side, even if someone is with him.  I had a thought yesterday that it might be because it is an indoor pool, which he has never seen. 

Yesterday  lessons were cancelled due to chemical problems in the pool, might explain the rash Aidan got last week.

Today we are going to a new pool, I am going to try and work with him.

[aisling]

I was a lifeguard in Uni for 5 years and we have a pool, so the pressure is on LOL!  I have taught all my nieces and nephews with the arm bands. I start with the really big ones at age 6 months to a year (double air chamber) and then work our way down to nothing-age 3-3.5.  DS has been swimming since 6 months. He is now using the half air chamber ones (supposed to be for 4-6 yr olds) I am not a fan of life jackets for swimming. This is just me, but they are meant to be life jackets not swimming aids. They also throw off the midline balance and tip the child on to their back, and they need to practice more on swimming on their tummy. I had one niece who hated the arm bands (muscles as we call them LOL!) so she had a "bubble" it is a polystyrene bubble that is on a harness that straps to their backs, they are a bit spendy comparative to the arm bands, but brilliant as well. Swimming and practicing each day makes a swimmer.  I hardly spend time with DS on proper strokes etc...just give him the exposure and each day he progresses. He can jump in and swim to the ladder by himself (doggy paddle) and get out and repeat and repeat and repeat! Lots of times I am sun bathing and he is doing his own thing. That was my goal for this age, swim alone, get out and get in pool whether jumping in or like the end of last summer, going on tummy and dropping in. We also find the swimming noodles fun and a good swim aid.  Sometimes, I'll take his muscles off and we use the noodles together. I also used the words "swim like a doggy" this year and that really got him paddling more with his arms.  Although he then starts to pant like a dog and then sucks in water LMAO!  This winter when he is 3 yrs I will put him in lessons to help with better stroke control and technique, but these last 2.5 years have been about water fun and confidence.

HTH,

Aisling x

[amywiz24]

I am not a fan of life jackets for swimming. This is just me, but they are meant to be life jackets not swimming aids. They also throw off the midline balance and tip the child on to their back, and they need to practice more on swimming on their tummy.

I am noticing that they throw DS on his back; I was hoping there would be another kind that would  "urge" him on his stomach. Perhaps, it doesn't exist..........

[Alibobs]

Ok, you're giving me mummy guilt now!

dd is 3 and we don't take her nearly enough (Although it costs us £5 to go each time, just the two of us which I think is ridiculous - and I'm relying on dh taking her at the moment because I'm refusing to buy a maternity costume.) I thought she was doing well, as she does 'swim' with her arm bands on.

Must make more of an effort. Must make more of an effort. Must make more of an effort. lol

[aisling]

Alison LOL.  No guilt.  £5 that is ridiculous!

Amy, have you seen those "bubbles?"  The life jackets are meant to put you on your back so you are in a position that uses the least amount of energy if using it (God forbid) for a life saving device.  LO's this age are not comfortable on their backs and will often panic and the sun gets in their eyes as well so they can't see, so this makes them feel unsure and not secure in the water for enjoyment.

Lis the noodle under the tummy might be ideal for the beach.

A x

[amywiz24]

Aisling, you are right; he does panick as soon as he is on his back and squints becuase of the sun. I just thought he wasn't "old enough" for the arm band floaty things. Perhaps, it's worth a try. I'm thrilled becuase he actually wants to go in the pool now; last year he wasn't so crazy about it.

[aisling]

Here are pics of DS the last 2 years, must take some for this year! Good luck!

The car racer was from 8 months old
The blue Speedo arm bands are from 18 months
The yellow ones were at the end of last summer 22 months

[amywiz24]

oh, how cute. OK, you've inspired me; we will try the arm things this weekend

[jasmynesmum]

yep we use arm bands here too!  A big safety thing to teach them is when they "jump" in the pool to turn round and reach/swim to the wall, that way if they accidentally fall in their first instinct is to get to the wall...

[amywiz24]

yep we use arm bands here too!  A big safety thing to teach them is when they "jump" in the pool to turn round and reach/swim to the wall, that way if they accidentally fall in their first instinct is to get to the wall...

ooohhh good idea!!

[aidliz]

Aisling...cute pics!!!

I would like to have your swim coach oppinion.

Ds will be 5 next week, he has had 5 swim lessons and has done nothing new, he does something different each time but nothing he hasnt done with me.  The pool is a little deep for his liking and he gets nervous when the water gets above his sholders.  Today we went swimming and he did well with me and seems more relaxed with me than his swim teacher.  So I decided to take him to the last 2 classes and not join again and work with him on my own. 

How do I get him to feel comfortable in deeper water?  He does great in a 3 foot pool but anything more he gets very nervous.  Even with swimmies he wont go in deep water  I have even given him swimmies and a noodle.  He just needs to be able to touch.  Nothing tramatic has ever happened.  I know this is his personality and it will take him time, as does everything with him.  Just wondered if you had any advice on how to make him feel more confident.