10 exercises to teach your child to swim

Even if it is preferable to go through the help of a state certified lifeguard to learn to swim, it is possible to become familiar with the aquatic environment before starting swimming lessons and also lifeguard training. Guide-piscine gives you here 10 exercises to do with your child to teach him the basics of swimming.

Familiarize yourself with the aquatic environment

Walk in the small pool

Start by walking with him in the small bath to relax him and get him used to this new environment.

Sing and dance in the water

Sing nursery rhymes with your child and dance with him to the rhythm of the melody. It’s a fun way to make him gain confidence in the water without even realizing it.

Treasure hunt

Have your child pick up items from the bottom of the basin. Of course, choose a place where the depth is shallow.

Put your face in the water

Have your child put their face in the water and make as many bubbles as possible, or have them tell you something underwater.

Learn to lie in the water

the starfish

Have your child put their face in the water, then spread their arms and lift their feet off the ground to let the water carry them. It is possible to perform the exercise on the stomach but also on the back. In this way, he will be able to discover new sensations and learn to let himself be carried by the water.

ventral casting

Suggest that your child put their face in the water and place their arms forward. When in position, have him push off the wall with his feet and slide across the surface of the water. Repeat the exercise until he is completely comfortable.

Learn to move leg kicks:

Have your child do a lap swing (as before) and kick their legs and use their arms to extend the movement when they feel they are slowing down.

Blow into the water

Your child must perform a stomach cast and blow all his air under the water. Once his lungs are empty, he can pop his head out of the water and stand up.

turn around

Have your child lie on their back in the water and turn onto their stomach without leaning on the ground. And vice versa. Repeat several times until he is comfortable.

jump in the water

Place a fry a few inches from the edge of the basin and ask your child to jump. Move the fry away from the edge with each jump.

Once your child feels comfortable in the water and is able to float and propel themselves, you can begin to teach them front crawl or breaststroke movements. Note that although breaststroke is often the first stroke to be taught, it is much more technical than the front crawl and takes longer to master.

Teaching a Child to Swim

In order to be able to enjoy the pool from an early age, children must learn to swim. It is a more or less difficult stage according to the children. Before learning to swim, you must first get used to the water and allay any fears.

At what age can a child learn to swim?

The sooner the better to learn to swim. There is no age required and it depends on each child, but generally, before 6/7 years of age, we will talk more about familiarization with the aquatic universe than really learning to swim.

If the child has quickly become accustomed to water (thanks to the baby swimming sessions for example), he will be less afraid of water. However, it is often the fear of water that delays learning to swim. The child must first be reassured and know how to have fun in the water.

Swimming is part of sports education programs starting in kindergarten. This is an opportunity for children to learn to swim or to make progress in swimming.

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How to teach your child to swim?

First of all, you can offer your child exercises to do in the water: put their head under the water, do the plank, propel themselves by pushing on their feet … If your child knows how to do all this, he is ready!

To teach your child how to swim, show him the strokes of the breaststroke, which is the easiest stroke to learn. First, your child can stand by the pool to practice doing the leg movements (the “frog”), or hold a fries under his arms. You can then support him at the waist so that he adds arm movements. Then let him swim on his own gradually. You have to start with small distances, where the child still has a footing. When he is more comfortable, he will go to the large basin.

To teach your child to swim, nothing like swimming lessons adapted to his age or level.

The key to teaching a child to swim is knowing how to reassure and encourage him. Stay close to him, show him the movements, and be patient: he will soon be able to launch himself!