For example, you can say something like, “Don’t get into the water until Mommy or Daddy says it’s okay. ” Never leave your little one near the water without supervising them. [2] X Research source
Look for life jackets certified by an established organization, like the Coast Guard.
Every child is different—if your little one is pretty confident, you may not need to help them out very much as they climb into the water. If they’re a little unsure, provide a little extra support and encouragement. Don’t “walk” your child down the steps into the water, as they might slip on the way down.
Don’t place your child on the pad right away. Instead, encourage them to climb up and out of the water on their own, while you hold onto their hips for support.
Always look happy and excited as you’re blowing bubbles in the water. This will help your child feel a lot more encouraged and confident!
You’ll need to practice floating a lot before your child really gets the hang of it.
It can take a little time before your child feels ready. Provide with lots of support and encouragement whenever they’re in the water! You can always start simple, like teaching your child to hold their breath in the tub![9] X Research source Goggles and nose plugs might make dunking underwater a little less scary for your little one. [10] X Research source
If your child doesn’t quite understand, encourage them to blow bubbles in the water. This is a great way to get the hang of breathing out, and understanding what it looks like. [13] X Research source
For example, you can say something like, “Mommy’s gonna dunk under the water for a few seconds. Can you count to 3 for me?”
Try to stay underwater for at least 3 seconds, so your little one can get used to the water. [17] X Research source
Stay really close to your little one as they do this. Even if they’re spinning on their own, you want to provide support close by.
Don’t rush your child into this! They may need a lot of extra support before they’re ready to tread water on their own.
You can move your child’s arms through the water first so they get an idea of what to do.
For some extra fun, tell your child to toss the fish they caught back into the water.
If your little one is pretty confident in the water, give them a kickboard to hold onto.
Give them a few seconds to really grab onto the wall and support themselves, so they get used to swimming towards the water’s edge.
This is a great way for your little one to get the hang of kicking in the water.
You may need to give your child some guidance on when to breathe. For instance, every 3-5 strokes, remind your child to “breathe,” and lift their head out of the water for a moment. Learning a new swimming stroke takes a lot of time and effort. It may take weeks, months, or years before your little one really gets the hang of it.
If your child is still getting used to the basics, encourage them to swim a shorter distance.
