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.

[Lissybits]

Thanks Aisling

I think I will try armbands again. If he'll put them on, he'll realise how much more freedom he'll have, cos atm, I have to hold him under his tummy all the time as he won't stay in the shallow water
He is so ready to try swimming on his own

Love the piccies of Nello

I'll let you know how it goes

Thanks again

[Katet]

Ds2 (3 & 1mo) now swims 3-4metres with no assistance, mostly dog paddle (ds1 almost 5, is now learning 'style' he can swim about 10metres) , they started out much the same as you are doing with the teacher sort of passing him to me & he kicked etc, we sang songs to show what to do when they were younger & now in classes (I don't get in) the teacher does a whole range of things from getting them to kick using a kickboard to diving for a ring at the bottom of the pool (4.5 ft deep) & told them to dig with their arms (for dog paddle) now they are learning proper strokes so it is more about showing than verbal commands.
Here in Aus AusSwim (the main recognised teaching body) recommend the use of a bubble (back float as suggested by someone else) rather than arm bands as it gives their arms the full flexibility & if the float is tied low on their back it doesn't make them stay upright (like a life jacket can... they actually are strongly discouraged as a swim teaching advice around here too as they keep you vertical) , but the bubble helps keep them in the more "swimming" position, our teacher also used it to help hold them to get their faces in the water more ... they start at 3 thick & then move to 1... don't have a picture to show, but I could never see either of my boys in arm bands, but they both willingly wore the back one until they no longer needed it...or in the case of my youngest told the teacher he was a big boy & didn't need it & proved it too

I think in the case of water confidence it is about exposure & practice & for my eldest he was "older" than his brother when he felt able to go out deeper than he could stand but once he realised he could go X distance he could gradually build on it... when we swim for fun we do lot of jumping in & then pushing them to the side & gradually built on that distance... now they jump, & swim to the side - no assistance, but it takes time & we have had backwards slides with both, but now I feel safe to let them swim with me at the edge rather than with them

[fiona1274]

Both my older girls are in swim lessons (3years and 3 months and 23 months) older one can swim a few meters but we have gone since she was little. I bought a DVD call swimbabies and it showed you how to teach water safety and I did the programme with her. She could float on her back at about 3 months without help. We did loose this ability as I got pregnant and lazy and didn't go as much. DD2 is crazy confident in the water.
At swim lessons we use a woggle (noodle I think) it leaves there arms free for starting storkes, but teachers says they can't really achieve mush till preschool age. Although I did see a 2 and half year old swimming 100m on Tv the other day!!!!!!!
I did teach and coach swimming for years although my classes were for 5 yrs and over so in new territory with toddlers. I use arm bands if I am in by my self with them but I deflate them all the time, letting them do a little more for themselves each time we go.
Have fun.

[aisling]

I agree with Kate Aidliz.  Your DS will gain confidence in deep water as time goes on.. of course he feels more secure with you vs the instructor that is normal, you are his hero IYKWIM? 

Yes it was me that mentioned the bubble as well.  The thing about arm bands, once they are around N's age, you can switch them over to the much less cumbersome very small single air chamber version.  He has total freedom and can get his arms moving no probs and is now having to work a lot harder to keep up his tumm.

Lis, shop around for arm bands and buy the really good ones as they are more comfortable and less inclined to bug these spirited LO's as they don't pinch as much. We also call them muscles and he thinks he is superman with them on! LOL!

Here is a link of good ones, I like Speedo and Zoggs.

http://www.gb-sports.co.uk/childrens_swimming_aids.html#Bema_Armbands


Hmmmm...just found these..interesting...... http://www.swimstop.co.uk/delphins.html

[aidliz]

Thanks, he does do get more confident each time we go swimming.  Today he actually did "swim" a bit and is trying.  He stopped using his swimmies the last few times we went swimming so I will try and get him to wear them again to build his confidence and get him to swim with them on.  Mabe by the end of the summer he will venture into the deep end with me.  I hope.  But if not, theres always next summer.

Hero...oooh, brings tears to my eyes.  Nice way to put it.  Thanks. 

[Lissybits]

Well, Nicholas's armbands arrived yesterday (thanks for the links Aisling ) and he surprised me yet again by wanting to wear them at home, all day

So, we went to the beach and he thought it was really funny that we could go in the deep water and he didn't need to hold onto me   He laughed the whole time I suppose he felt independant and surprised at himself - the monkey

We'll carry on going swimming every day and see how we progress

Thanks again for all your advice!

Lis and Nicholas
 

[aisling]

FAB!

A x

[Mom to M&M]

Can I jump in? DD (three next month) loves the pool and happily goes in at camp with the teacher and some other kids and at our beach club with me. But she is scared to get her head under or to let go of me (even with arm bands she wants me to hold her, although I think she is OK at camp). DH gets concerned because he's always been TERRiFIED (to this day) of getting water over his head or even close to it. Any advice to raise her confidence and eliminate this fear for her? We really want her to be able to enjoy the pool and eventually beach/ocean without fears. Just keep working on it? Get a swim lesson? They are pretty reasonable at my beach club for a half hour private one...

[aisling]

Hi Karen,

How is she is in the shower and bath when her her hair is washed etc...?

Ais x

[Mom to M&M]

Not great - she gets upset when water gets in her eyes. Doesn't scream but wants to get it right out.

[aisling]

I figured that.  My niece was the same. I think they panic if they can't see after they have been under or their face in the water. They feel out of control if they can't see what is going on. They don't have fears like we adults do and know all about how deep water is very scary, because if that were the case, at this age they would go under in the shallow end where they can touch no probs or in the bath, but this is not the case. I had my sister keep a sand bucket filled with dry wash cloths near the bath.  Then I had her encourage to play around and wet my niece's face etc...have her blow bubbles with her face right in the bath and say to her to dry her eyes off with one of the cloths in the bucket when she felt she needed her eyes clear. Then when she came swimming at our pool, we kept the bucket near by the edge and she woudl swim and if she attempted to go under or we encouraged it when she jumped etc..she could swim to the bucket and dry her eyes off.  She eventually stopped going for the cloths and realised that her eyes woudl dry on their own and got more comfortable with the whole thing. However, I tired all this with friend's 3 year old and he didn't even like the cloth to help him out, he panicked still.  Eventually he took lessons and they encouraged he use swim goggles.  BINGO! Worked fab!

A x

[Katet]

Karen have you tried goggles, my boys wear them for swimming & when they wash their hair, ds1 spends all his time with his face in the water with goggles & none without... hopefully peer pressure will mean he learns to play without them in time, but for now it works

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks Aisling and Kate. Was thinking about goggles while out walking earlier today and that might really do the trick. Will look for a cheap pair tomorrow - any suggestions for where?

[aisling]

I would get fairly decent ones from Speedo at Walmart etc....

A x

[aidliz]

Ds is doing much much better now with the swimmies. He floats and swims with them on.  The other day he even swam a tiny bit without them on.  He will not go in the deep end yet, but baby steps is what is going to work with us.

Karen, Aidan was the same way in the bath tub and in the pool with getting his face wet.  I started having him "go under" up to his chin, then his nose, then his eyes.  He still wont just go under completely, but he is less afraid after we practiced for a while.  I would say, can you do this and bend down and put my chin under, then can you do this, go under to my nose, etc.. It worked well for us.  Now if I am sitting at side of the pool I will point to my nose or eyes and he goes under.  He refuses to wear goggles, even after seeing all his friends use them.

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks! Definitely think will try the goggles - just need to find time to buy a pair. Should I wait for her first swim lesson until I get them? I can schedule a private 1/2 lesson anytime we are at our beach club.

[aisling]

I would try the lesson with out first time.  Try them just with you if you can.  Like Aidliz (great news BTW about Aiden) Nello is not a fan of the goggles. He likes them in theory just like safety glasses, sunglasses and hats.  They are worn for about 2 min before his spirited self realises that they annoy him. LOL!

A x

[aidliz]

Hip..hip..horray!!!

Thanks for the advice on the swimmies...today Aidan ventured into the deep end with me and his swimmies.  He swam all by himself.  I am so proud of him!!!  I had to drag him out of the water after about 2 hours.  Yesterday we went to a pool where swimmies arent allowed,  he willingly went in the deep end with me but clung on for dear life.  It was so nice, he isnt the greatest hugger...so I got a hug for about 15 minutes.  He is the best kisser though!

[Lissybits]

That's great news Well done Aiden! And yah for the free cuddle
Lis

[aisling]

 

[Mom to M&M]

Still slow going here. She's not too thrilled with the goggles. She does like her swimmies but still wants to cling to me, even with them on. And she definitely likes the pool just SUPER cautious. Any thoughts?

[aidliz]

Aidan is a super cautious child with everything...With the pool if he knows he can touch he is fine, if not he wont go in, or will hang out on the steps or cling to the side.  Can she touch and if so does she know she can touch where you go swimming?  Elizabeth will also be 3 in august and she is more tollerate to the water.  She uses swimmies and a tube and she just floats around and  feels safe. 

Marisa sounds a little like Aidan as they are both cautious with pools but at the same time loves them.  In my experience with him it is best to take baby steps and mabe not focus so much on her swimming or putting her head under but getting her to feel comfortable with the water.  He is 5 and all his friends are swimming,  i know this most likely wont happen with him untill next summer.  When he was 3 he wouldnt even go away from the steps.  It is frustrating but take it slow.  He was in swimming lessons this summer but I took him out, (which I usually would never do) but he was scared and anxious everytime he went and I didnt want to tramatize him so we will try again next year.

I see you live in brooklyn, I live in orange county...newburgh and my sisters boyfriend lives in brooklyn.

[Mom to M&M]

She can touch in the children's pool which is only 1.5 feet deep throughout. But even there she wants to stay along the sides or even more so at/on the ladder. In the big pool the shallow end is three feet so she can't quite reach and then wants to stay on the stairs or cling to me. She does sound like Aiden that way so will do like you are and ust take it slow. Come visit us in Brooklyn this summer!

[Mom to M&M]

So totally am sad. DD was doing relatively well with pool. Still cautious but would swim a bit with arm bands as long as I still had at least one hand on her (like lightly on her belly). Would also go in a float as long as we lightly held onto her. And was enjoying going in the pool at camp and at beach club. But about a week ago at beach club she mistakenly went a bit under water - she was practicing blowing bubbles and got too much of her head in and totally freaked out.

Now she doesn't want anything to do with the pool and only wants the baby pool at most. It's even affecting camp -she'll say she doesn't want to go (she goes two mornings a week) even though she LOVES it - but it's only because she doesn't want to swim/go in pool - and of course they don't make her. We tried getting her a swim vest for the beach club because lots of other kids have them. She was excited but then still terrified and wouldn't go in - just wants us to totally hold her or sit on stairs.

It's making DH and I sad - we really want her to like swimming and be able to have fun in situations like camp and beach club. Some of my best memories from being little are of swimming. Meanwhile, DH is still scared to get his head under water and those fears affected him growing up - he never was able to enjoy certain parties or situations and he feels sad that she might miss out on those things too.

Any advice for easing her back into enjoying the pool and eventually progressing?

[aidliz]

Hello, well Aidan just turned 5 and at Marisas age he would do the same thing.  He spent the whole day sitting on the steps or hanging on the side.  I would just leave her be, it is a fear and by pushing them they might become more affraid of the water.  At 5 he just this year, well in the past month started to try and swim and will go in the deep end by himself with swimmies.  He, as marisa is is a cautious child, she will do it on her own.  It is very frustrating because swimming is so fun.  She is very young just keep taking her to the pool and letting her do her own thing.

[waffler]

Mira has been going for swimming lessons since she was 1. here in Singapore the instructors are alll AusSwim too. It's so gradual, the way they teach. and it's all about repetition. Mira is happy jumping into a big pool, she can go under and kicks hard to get to us, she can probably swim a meter which is huge progress.

Marissa's mama  - your daugher is still very young I'd be wary of putting too much pressure on her. The more she senses you being sad (as you put it) and the more upset you get because she won't let go of you, the more she's going to dread swimming because mummy gets sad. So I'd really give it a rest for a bit, go back to just having fun in the water. And when she sees how fun it is and how happy mummy and daddy are, she will feel less pressured. I have no doubt that she will be swimming like a fish one day, but you don't want to instill any fears in her now as it will take longer to break as she gets older. Just make swimming fun. Bring in loads of toys, like rubber toys that can squirt water. Teach her to blow bubbles, she'll find it funny. And, one thing they teach Mira is "monkey hands". This is where they hold on to the side, and will hand walk over to the ladder. You can put a toy she likes about a meter away, and assist her in monkey walking to the toy. Mira now does the whole pool by herself and she's so speedy. I really truly believe that it's all about fun - and of course safety. But a kid needs to feel safe and happy in the pool. HTH

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks. We are trying that -  not putting any pressure on her, etc - but we just can't get her in the "big" pool at all. We've bought her a life vest, some swimming toys, etc but she just refuses to go in the big pool - even if I promise to hold her the whole time. Which stinks because she had been doing relatively well (for her) with the big pool before going mistakenly under a couple of weeks ago. Even with the kiddie pool which is only 1.5 feet deep throughout, she's VERY hesitant and will only go in if she can hold onto the wall the whole time. Ideas? Bribe with ice cream? Other toys that would help?

[waffler]

Karen - how about not taking her swimming for a bit? Then, in a couple of months (or however long) then how about (if it's safe) you go in pool with DH or friends in shallow end and dont put any pressure on her at all, don't even ask her if she wants to come in, and just see what happens? If she doesn't take - then leave it another day. have  fun in there, splash about, take some toys in , and if she wants to just sit on the edge with feet in water then start with that.... maybe with time her fear will subside and she'll want to get in on her own. Then, it should all be great guns after that!

HTH!