Teaching a child to swim is a rewarding experience that combines fun and essential life skills. This article serves as a comprehensive guide for parents, offering best practices, techniques, and tips to ensure safety during the learning process. At Delhi Public School (DPS) Warangal, known as the best CBSE residential and day school in Warangal, Telangana, swimming is one of the most eagerly awaited activities. The half-Olympic sized swimming pool, one of the largest in Warangal, is used for district and state-level swimming competitions. For younger children up to Grade V, there is a mini-sized pool, ensuring age-appropriate learning. The facility includes separate changing rooms and showers for boys and girls, all adhering to safety norms. Trained coaches and lifeguards ensure the highest safety standards. Learning to swim not only boosts a child’s confidence but also enhances their physical fitness, making the experience both supportive and enjoyable.
Why is swimming important?
Swimming will enhance a child’s physical fitness, hand , eye, legs coordination as well as confidence. This coordination also ensures their safety which prevents them from drowning in water.
Preparing the child
The child should be mentally and physically prepared before introducing the water.
1. Start early:
Introducing the water early will help the child to be ready for the water. The earlier the child is introduced to the water , less phobia will be accrued during the swimming lessons. Children will be confident in their skin, and bath time is an excellent starting point for this. Playing with water toys for kids is a useful tip for children to engage in the process and start to like water bodies. It will be fun for the children and encourage them to associate water with enjoyment.
2. Creating a positive environment:
The parent must always be enthusiastic and excited for the child and be there in the initial days to support the process. The parent’s positive attitude will influence the child to be better and actively participate in the process. Using positive language for the child’s effort and excitement will help to reduce the initial fear around learning a new skill. It will help the kid to be comfortable in the water. That is the first stage of learning swimming. It just needs basic skills.
3. Fun and games:
Playing and splashing water will help children get used to the sensation of water. It is challenging for people to accept water on their faces while swimming as it gives the feeling of drowning, but blowing bubbles in the water is a fun way to be comfortable with having a face near water.
4. Floating and kicking:
The initial stages of swimming are floating and kicking. Teaching the child to lie down and float through the back is essential. The next stage can be kicking, as the child can hold on to the pool’s edge or a flotation device and practice kicking their legs.
5. Learning basic swim strokes:
Learning basic swimming strokes comes after learning to float and kick. Once the child is comfortable with the water and familiar with its elements it will be the time for basic swim strokes.
6. Front crawl:
The 2nd stage of swimming is the continuous arm movements in circular motion , like a windmill. It is a crucial stage of swimming easily on the water. Another vital element of swimming is breathing easily under water. Teaching the child to turn to sides to breathe effectively and keeping their body streamlined is necessary for avoiding accidents and drowning .
7. Backstroke:
The backstroke comes with continuous arm coordination and leg kicks. Demonstrating the backstroke arm movement and encouraging the child to do the same while keeping their arm straight and using them alternatively will help them learn to swim. The emphasis will be continuous kicking movements to maintain buoyancy.
Safety tips for parents
1. Supervision:
Every child needs supervision around the water. The parents need to always watch their kids and attend near water regardless of their swimming ability . Staying close and being within reach will help to prevent accidents.
2. Use floatation devices:
Getting life jackets for everyone specially for children or floating devices will help the children to gain confidence and keep them safe from any disaster.
3. Making learning fun:
The learning should be fun and exciting as it will create curiosity. And it will be enjoyable.
4. Games and toys:
Swimming games are interesting for the children who are learning this new skill . Water toys , floating toys , rings are useful to encourage the children to learn swimming.
Celebrating the progress
Learning becomes more accessible and more fun with positive rewards and praise. Celebrating every milestone with positive affirmations and small rewards will motivate the child to improve. The process should be fun, not a pressure for the child; it should come from within.
1. Consistency and patience:
Learning any skill is a lifelong process that requires patience and consistency to succeed.
2. Regular practice:
It is always actual practice that makes skills perfect. Swimming needs frequent sessions, regular training, and an established routine to help the child build and retain life skills. It requires patience and encouragement from parents, mentors and teachers. Everyone learns in their own time and speed. It is not a rushed process.
Overcoming fear
Swimming is the best way to overcome fear of water. Some kids may have a fear of water but it is very essential to address the problem gradually. It needs gentle introduction and gradual exposure. The beginning should be with shallow water and gradually moving to deep water. Being supportive and providing physical comfort for the child will help them to be accustomed to the process.
Professional help
Professional help will be very useful for learning swimming . Swimming classes are useful for the children who are struggling in their lessons . The well trained professionals will provide specialised techniques and support.
Setting goals
Setting short term goals which are achievable will keep the child motivated and focused in the learning process. Celebrating success with each goal achieved will build the confidence and enthusiasm for the children .
Teaching children to swim is a lifelong process and a rewarding journey that requires patience, consistency, and positivity. Breaking down the process into small stages that are achievable and manageable will help make it easy and give the child confidence. Parents and mentors should be careful for the safety of the child, and it will be an enjoyable process.