For much of the summer, I teach swimming lessons to kids, young and “old” (I sometimes teach adults). I am always amazed at how much folks can and will learn, even if terribly afraid, when they are interested in and determined to master what they are doing.
Some kids come so scared of water I think we will never get past “Bubble Blowing 101.” However, their determination and sheer bravery astound me over and over.
I have seen beginners, so scared they shake, try again and again to put their mouth, then their nose, their whole face, and finally their entire head under water. That's brave, folks. The look on each face when they come up from the first "real” dunking is always a mixture of surprise, joy, and immense self-confidence.
They have, after all, challenged themselves and been successful.
I always wonder why children haven't had more real swimming opportunities. We "swam” everywhere as children: at the beach, in creeks, lakes, or public and private pools, all the time. However, there are ways parents can encourage children to learn swimming skills and the basics of water safety without leaving home.
Many of these can be taught to young children in the bathtub and lots can be learned in a backyard pool. A basic water skill is to never leave a child unattended near or in water even for a second. It doesn't take a lot of water to be dangerous. Toddlers can fall headfirst over the edge of a small pool, bucket or tub and be unable to regain balance, so keep your eyes on the kids and teach your child not to swim without an adult.
Use bath time to get kids to blow bubbles in the water, even if their hair gets wet. From the very first bath, scoop water in your hands and use it to rinse kids. I think when we wring washcloths dry and gingerly dab about their faces we send the message that water isn't wet. Use enough water for kids to experience floating; toddlers can actually float on their backs in a normal bathtub. The object is to keep kids in enough water on a regular basis (they do bathe every day) that fear of water isn't taught or developed.
Get and maintain a small pool for your yard. We have had the same "pool” for 16 years now. It really is a 6 feet, metal stock tank from the feed store but the young kids around our home thought it was enormous.
All sorts of water games are basic to learning to swim. Going underwater and picking objects off the bottom (any "sinkers" will do but my children loved getting pennies) and playing "spank the baby” by sitting on the bottom are games to aid children in learning to blow bubbles underwater. Like any other pool, safety and maintenance is important. Drain the pool between uses (into flower beds), supervise kids while in the pool, and join them.
There is something soothing, relaxing, and just plain fun about water for kids of all ages.
Darby Kethan has a master's degree in child development, and has experience as a social worker, educator of young children, educational consultant, and as a professional trainer for a national educational foundation providing professional development to teachers. Visit her website at darbykethan.com.
