Ideas for Infant & Parent Swim Lessons

Early exposure to water and swimming pools can shape associated feelings for life. Negative early experiences may cause children to shy away from learning the proper techniques that are necessary for becoming a confident big swimmer later on. For that reason, it is important that swim lessons for infants involve parent participation and gentle encouragement to help infants become comfortable in the water.

  1. Eyes, Ears, Nose and Mouth

    • The eyes, ears, nose and mouth are the four areas that may be uncomfortable for infants when water comes into contact with them. Infant and parent swim classes should include activities that slowly increase exposure of these areas to the water so that infants become more familiar with the sensations and less uncomfortable with them. Slowly tipping the infant from side to side and gently pulling him through the water with his ears submerged will help him become comfortable with the sensation of water in his ears. To get infants comfortable with water in or near their mouth, teach them how to blow bubbles in the water. When you are comfortable with briefly "dunking" your infant, show her how to hold her breath under water by demonstrating yourself. Infants learn by watching. Exaggerate your inhalations and squeeze your eyes closed and dunk your head. When it is her turn, do it with her; infants will often copy you. Another way to get an infant to close their eyes and mouth is to gently blow in his face.

    Songs

    • Many swim schools incorporate familiar nursery rhymes and songs into their instruction. Jim Booth Swim School instructors sing "The Wheels on the Bus," changing up the words a bit to apply to the actions they do with the infants. They instruct parents to tip the baby from side to side (exposing the ears to the water) as they sing "the wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish," and they give babies the opportunity to play with "the babies in the pool go splash, splash, splash."

    Repitition

    • Repetition is an important part of teaching infants to be comfortable in the water, as well as building the foundation for early swimming skills. Every class should include the opportunity for parents to help their babies use their arms to paddle, their legs to kick, their mouths to blow bubbles, and to get used to lying on their backs in the water.

    Fun and Comfort

    • Infant and parent swim classes should emphasize fun and comfort. The water should be kept at a warm temperature. The classes should be small in size to allow for personal attention to each family. Water toys should be used to entertain and to stimulate infants. Praise should be offered for even small accomplishments. And most important, never force an infant to do something that he is clearly uncomfortable with.

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