How to Give Kids Swimming Lessons

Some kids are desperate to jump into the deep end of the pool, while others may be more tentative about getting their feet wet. However your child feels about learning to swim, it's an important skill for her to master. Drowning is one of the most common causes of unintentional injuries leading to death in the United States, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By giving your child swimming lessons, you can greatly reduce the risk of this tragedy.

Things You'll Need

  • U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket

Instructions

    • 1

      Invest in a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for your child. Don't use water wings, air-filled swimwear or inflatable flotation toys to keep your child afloat, says Kourtney Eidam in the article "Teach Your Child to Swim" for "Parents" magazine, because these may deflate and cause him to sink.

    • 2

      Join a parent-child swimming program to introduce a young or nervous child to the water. This program will use water games and safety lessons to boost your child's confidence in the pool. Get in the water with your child and play fun games with him, like throwing a ball to each other, blowing bubbles in the water and helping him float with your support on his front or back. Go over the rules for pool safety, such as not running near the pool and never going into the water without an adult.

    • 3

      Enroll your child in formal swimming lessons around the age of 3 or 4. He won't be developmentally able to master the necessary skills any younger than this, says the award-winning pregnancy and parenting website Baby Center. Take part in the first class with her if it makes your child feel more comfortable and confident. If she's never been in the water without you, it might take a short time for her to get used to you not being right by her side. At age 4 to 5 years, formal swimming lessons typically teach kids to float independently, remain under the water for up to 10 seconds, glide through the water and coordinate arm and leg movements.

    • 4

      Be patient with your child. Each child learns to swim at his own pace. Take your child to the pool in between his formal lessons and go over what he's learned from his instructor. After a few months, your child should be able to hold his breath for longer periods underwater, swim to the bottom of the pool to retrieve an object and may be starting to learn the different swimming strokes, such as the breaststroke and backstroke.

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