Teaching swimming...?

[GoBecGo]

I'd like to teach my 3.5 year old to swim. So i'm looking for ideas/advice..

We take her to the pool weekly. She is VERY confident and unafraid. She will leap in from the side (into any depth of water) without fear and can get hersel back to the surface. She will happily put her face in the water without fear and has been trying "mushroom" floating (curled up with face in the water) after seeing her dad do it.

She can float very well and to an extent swim on her back. She can swim a short distance on her front but she still wears a flotation vest (with 4 of the 8 floats removed so those remaining are under her armpits only) and it's sort of a half doggy paddle for about a yard or so before she sinks and flips back onto her back to rest.

We don't have goggles, a nose clip, or anything else for her at present (i wanted her to experience water so her fearlessness could grow, rather than feeling ok about it but only if her eyes/nose were untouched, since i found it scary when i was a kid and water got into an eye or up my nose).

I guess i don't know how to take the next step to help her swim. Her movements are largely uncoordinated, and i can see if she would just "get" that she has to keep kicking, paddling she'd be swimming, but so far it's not happened.

We do give her time without her flotation vest every week and she is always keen for it. I could swim under the surface for about a year before i could swim on the surface, so i was wondering if just getting her goggles and making sure she's within her depth when she's without the vest would make the difference?

Any tips? There are swimming lessons near us but i met with the teacher and really didn't like him. He seemed very "this is not fun, it's to MAKE them learn" and not my style at all. DD also seemed very shy of him, she's usually very confident. I noticed most of the kids in his class were 8+ years old (though it's open for 3-10 year olds) and boys and i have heard a few mums with girls say they found him overly stern and not fun. I don't want her to lose her amazing confidence in the water, to me that's the most important thing. The next nearest class would mean we could not swim as a family anymore (as it's when we normally go to the pool) unless we ditched DH, which we aren't going to do.

[GreenGranolaMama]

Saw this and had to reply : ) First of all, it is so awesome that you are teaching her/making sure she knows how to swim! I swam competitively for 10 years and taught swim lessons for 5, so it's defiantly a subject I am in love with! I can't tell you how many 15 and 16 year old kids I met that had never been in the water before! Teaching children to love and respect the water at a young age is so important, especially for safety reasons.

I'm sorry to hear you are uncomfortable with the swim teacher, and there are some things you can do with her right now, however unless you or DH are very comfortable with stroke mechanics, I would gently suggest putting her in lessons with she gets a little older (even if it's only a couple of lessons and then thats it) bad stroke habits can sometimes be hard to break once established. Ok so now for the fun stuff!

-Talk to the fishies, listen to the fishies: Have her grab onto the side of the pool wall, face in between her arms. Practice having her put in face in the water (talk to the fishies) and blowing bubbles out of her nose. Then have her rotate her head to the side and breath (listen to the fishies), and have her practice breathing on both sides (later called rotary breathing)

-Practice kicking by having her hold onto the side and extend her legs out behind her into the water. You can say "Motor boat fast!" and have her kick really fast and then say "motor boat slow!" and have her kick slow. Make sure her legs are extended, toes pointed and she is kicking from her hips as best as she can and NOT her knees.

-Red light green light is also a game you might play with her later on in the shallow end

-Kickboards can also be fun and help strenthen her kick. Practice crawl, breaststroke (frog kick), and backstroke (this can be done by using the kickboard and just fliping over, so it is still out in front of you, you are just on your back)

-Kick boards can also be used for arm mechanics, have her practice scooping water (fingers together) with one arm and then the other, taking it off of the kickboard.

-The most common mistake I see when kids is the heads up crawl stroke (I call it the tarzan stroke) Make sure when she is doing heads up crawl that her head stays facing FORWARD while it is up out of the water, many (I dare say most) kids will turn their head to the side, back and forth, opposite the arm they are currently pulling with. This makes it hard for them to see where they are going, is hard on neck muscles, and is a really hard habit to break. Rotating the head to BREATH when doing regular crawl stroke is fine (although she may not be ready for regular crawl stroke for a while)

-Yay for not introducing her to nose plugs!!!!!!!!!!

-Practicing jumping in from the side of the pool

-Practice cupping her hands and pulling water while standing in the shallow end, or with you holding her

-Playing with lifejackets can be fun, but these can also create a dependancy similar to the nose plugs

-It can take time to put it all together, but it sounds like you are giving her the best start possible

Hope this helps, let me know if you would like anymore ideas. I don't know if these are too basic for where she is at...Have fun!!!!!

ETA: I can't wait to teach my DS how to swim!!!!

[WhaleinGaloshes]

Coordination-wise, she may be just a little too young. Some 3.5yos can do a crawl stroke or something like it to 'swim' but most little kids need another year or even two to get to the place they can move their legs and arms in the water at different speeds. 5yo is a good median, but many learn at 4 and some at 3 etc.

It's awesome that she is so comfortable, though, that's the biggest piece of the puzzle.

To start helping her learn, I would use a kickboard and/or a noodle and showing her how to motor around by kicking. My 4yo has a decent arm movement after we showed her to cup her hands and pretend she is reaching for the water far away and pushing it behind her. Usually the kids practice them separately (with someone holding on if needed) and then can put them together when they are ready.

[earthmama369]

In addition to the great ideas already listed, you could also do "catch the fish." Take a little toy squirter (fish, octopus, frog, whatever -- something that floats) and have her toss it in the water, then kick and reach her arms to get it. DS (3) loves that one. I prompt him to reach one arm and then the other to get to the fish, to help him figure out how to coordinate his movements, and he loves the toss and retrieve aspect of the game.

[kathymuggle]

Seconding the noodle. It is a great early tool, IMHO. She can put it under her armpits and kick around.

If she is comfortable going under water - try placing an object on the floor in the water and see if she can retrieve it.

I do think swimming lessons are important but not until they are about 5 or so. For now, just regularly expose her to and enjoy the water!

[pigpokey]

If you do have an option to have her free swim in an area where she can stand up as needed, but is still deep enough for her to swim, I recommend getting her some good quality goggles and letting her have at it. If you have such a space at the pool, I would ditch the floatation vest. If you can put her in that environment she is unlikely to need to be "taught" anything, but when she's a fluid swimmer you can consider working on prestroke mechanics. Not now though.

Nose plugs -- I've only known one person who needed those and she did not learn to swim at all until after puberty. So I wouldn't think they would ever be needed. Kids who learn to submerge young learn to control pressure behind their nose to some extent and blow out in positions where that fails them.

[ocelotmom]

Originally Posted by GoBecGo

Any tips? There are swimming lessons near us but i met with the teacher and really didn't like him. He seemed very "this is not fun, it's to MAKE them learn" and not my style at all. DD also seemed very shy of him, she's usually very confident. I noticed most of the kids in his class were 8+ years old (though it's open for 3-10 year olds) and boys and i have heard a few mums with girls say they found him overly stern and not fun. I don't want her to lose her amazing confidence in the water, to me that's the most important thing. The next nearest class would mean we could not swim as a family anymore (as it's when we normally go to the pool) unless we ditched DH, which we aren't going to do.

Woah, 3-10 year olds in a single class? That seems totally inappropriate to me, especially in something as potentially dangerous as swimming.

[GreenGranolaMama]

Originally Posted by ocelotmom

Woah, 3-10 year olds in a single class? That seems totally inappropriate to me, especially in something as potentially dangerous as swimming.

I agree, and you are bound to find mixed abilities simply due to physical development... and a class of anymore than 4 or 5 non swimmers ( I teach youth ski as well, so the same ratio applies to non skiers as well) to one coach, to me, is hard to manage/ give meaningful individual instruction to each child.

[GoBecGo]

Originally Posted by EarthsMamma

Saw this and had to reply : ) First of all, it is so awesome that you are teaching her/making sure she knows how to swim! I swam competitively for 10 years and taught swim lessons for 5, so it's defiantly a subject I am in love with! I can't tell you how many 15 and 16 year old kids I met that had never been in the water before! Teaching children to love and respect the water at a young age is so important, especially for safety reasons.

I'm sorry to hear you are uncomfortable with the swim teacher, and there are some things you can do with her right now, however unless you or DH are very comfortable with stroke mechanics, I would gently suggest putting her in lessons with she gets a little older (even if it's only a couple of lessons and then thats it) bad stroke habits can sometimes be hard to break once established. Ok so now for the fun stuff!

-Talk to the fishies, listen to the fishies: Have her grab onto the side of the pool wall, face in between her arms. Practice having her put in face in the water (talk to the fishies) and blowing bubbles out of her nose. Then have her rotate her head to the side and breath (listen to the fishies), and have her practice breathing on both sides (later called rotary breathing)

-Practice kicking by having her hold onto the side and extend her legs out behind her into the water. You can say "Motor boat fast!" and have her kick really fast and then say "motor boat slow!" and have her kick slow. Make sure her legs are extended, toes pointed and she is kicking from her hips as best as she can and NOT her knees.

-Red light green light is also a game you might play with her later on in the shallow end

-Kickboards can also be fun and help strenthen her kick. Practice crawl, breaststroke (frog kick), and backstroke (this can be done by using the kickboard and just fliping over, so it is still out in front of you, you are just on your back)

-Kick boards can also be used for arm mechanics, have her practice scooping water (fingers together) with one arm and then the other, taking it off of the kickboard.

-The most common mistake I see when kids is the heads up crawl stroke (I call it the tarzan stroke) Make sure when she is doing heads up crawl that her head stays facing FORWARD while it is up out of the water, many (I dare say most) kids will turn their head to the side, back and forth, opposite the arm they are currently pulling with. This makes it hard for them to see where they are going, is hard on neck muscles, and is a really hard habit to break. Rotating the head to BREATH when doing regular crawl stroke is fine (although she may not be ready for regular crawl stroke for a while)

-Yay for not introducing her to nose plugs!!!!!!!!!!

-Practicing jumping in from the side of the pool

-Practice cupping her hands and pulling water while standing in the shallow end, or with you holding her

-Playing with lifejackets can be fun, but these can also create a dependancy similar to the nose plugs

-It can take time to put it all together, but it sounds like you are giving her the best start possible

Hope this helps, let me know if you would like anymore ideas. I don't know if these are too basic for where she is at...Have fun!!!!!

ETA: I can't wait to teach my DS how to swim!!!!

Oh my goodness you are SO awesome, thanks so much for all this! I actually am a pretty accomplished swimmer and competed (only regionally) through high school and uni. I was a complete waterbaby too, but unfortunately i just can't remember being taught to swim and thus where to start, and also i seem to remember swimming being MUCH funner when i wasn't being taught so i am keen o find her a teacher she really likes before i put her in lessons. I did a lot of training on the uni swimteam so my technique isn't too bad but even explaining it to an adult is hard for me!

It's unfortunate she's been in the lifejacket so much, but she's been using it since 18months when there was only about 1square metre of pool where she was in her depth. That continues to be a problem - last week we took her to our local authority pool which has an awesome baby pool which is 60-90cm deep, perfect for my 104cm kid to learn in and...they only had 2 staff members covering the pool so it was shut. We had to take her in the boom pool (which is for teaching school-age kids in usually) which is 100-132cm deep and it was a vest or hang onto the edge for an hour...

Thanks so much for all these ideas, i'm going to print this whole thread out!

Originally Posted by WhaleinGaloshes

Coordination-wise, she may be just a little too young. Some 3.5yos can do a crawl stroke or something like it to 'swim' but most little kids need another year or even two to get to the place they can move their legs and arms in the water at different speeds. 5yo is a good median, but many learn at 4 and some at 3 etc.

It's awesome that she is so comfortable, though, that's the biggest piece of the puzzle.

To start helping her learn, I would use a kickboard and/or a noodle and showing her how to motor around by kicking. My 4yo has a decent arm movement after we showed her to cup her hands and pretend she is reaching for the water far away and pushing it behind her. Usually the kids practice them separately (with someone holding on if needed) and then can put them together when they are ready.

I was thinking of getting a kickboard and goggles for Christmas, as i know getting her body in the right position in the water is a big initial step which will mae everything else easier.

Originally Posted by earthmama369

In addition to the great ideas already listed, you could also do "catch the fish." Take a little toy squirter (fish, octopus, frog, whatever -- something that floats) and have her toss it in the water, then kick and reach her arms to get it. DS (3) loves that one. I prompt him to reach one arm and then the other to get to the fish, to help him figure out how to coordinate his movements, and he loves the toss and retrieve aspect of the game.

We do this with...our toes! LOL. Either XP, DH or i stick our toes out of the water and DD swims to them and "catches" them. She LOVES to "drown the toes" where she swims to them and dunks them

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

Seconding the noodle. It is a great early tool, IMHO. She can put it under her armpits and kick around.

If she is comfortable going under water - try placing an object on the floor in the water and see if she can retrieve it.

I do think swimming lessons are important but not until they are about 5 or so. For now, just regularly expose her to and enjoy the water!

Yep, i'm adding the noodle onto santa's list! I'm considering putting something on the bottom for her to get, but it definitely needs to be a time when a) she has goggles and b) we're in a pool that isn't crazy-deep for her.

Originally Posted by pigpokey

If you do have an option to have her free swim in an area where she can stand up as needed, but is still deep enough for her to swim, I recommend getting her some good quality goggles and letting her have at it. If you have such a space at the pool, I would ditch the floatation vest. If you can put her in that environment she is unlikely to need to be "taught" anything, but when she's a fluid swimmer you can consider working on prestroke mechanics. Not now though.

Nose plugs -- I've only known one person who needed those and she did not learn to swim at all until after puberty. So I wouldn't think they would ever be needed. Kids who learn to submerge young learn to control pressure behind their nose to some extent and blow out in positions where that fails them.

Thanks - this is how i learned to swim, but i ended up needing lessons because i could swim lengths (literally) under water, just coming up for air every now and again for months and my dad felt i needed an extra nudge to get swimming on the surface.

Originally Posted by ocelotmom

Woah, 3-10 year olds in a single class? That seems totally inappropriate to me, especially in something as potentially dangerous as swimming.

Originally Posted by EarthsMamma

I agree, and you are bound to find mixed abilities simply due to physical development... and a class of anymore than 4 or 5 non swimmers ( I teach youth ski as well, so the same ratio applies to non skiers as well) to one coach, to me, is hard to manage/ give meaningful individual instruction to each child.

I know! Right!? To be fair this class is by ability and it's the "non-swimmers" level. Every child has a parent or a teaching assistant in the water with them, so it's not like they're on their own, but i've seen the lessons sometimes when i've been with DD in the other pool and often half the class is clinging to the side/a float while the teacher instructs an individual. I really didn't like his tone. I told him she really enjoys the water, expecting an "oh that's a good start" and he said "can she follow intructions without messing about?" - not my idea of a good teacher if his first interest in a student is their ability to toe his line! It's VERY possible he'd rather NOT teach 3-5's i suppose...?

[pigpokey]

Originally Posted by GoBecGo

Thanks - this is how i learned to swim, but i ended up needing lessons because i could swim lengths (literally) under water, just coming up for air every now and again for months and my dad felt i needed an extra nudge to get swimming on the surface.

Yeah, I think that might be an appropriate time to start stroke development. I wouldn't necessarily worry about things like body position now. You can find a good swim program you like once she is swimming for fun without the flotation.

[Savoir Faire]

You can do it! I taught my two in my parents backyard pool.

First things were that we started with swimming from one adult to another...at first it was very close and then we would step further back. When we were close, it was more of just pushing the child to the other adult.

We were also practicing jumping into the water from the side, which slowly progressed into jumping and then swimming a bit.

We started this in May and my children were scared of the water. By September, I'm totally serious, my 4-year-old could swim the length of the backyard pool.

One you have that confidence, we just started working on swimming with the face in the water, and going under water to get things (such as rings, toys). After we had that, we started working on strokes.

It is totally possible. You do not need any fancy training. Just keep it fun, keep it easy and watch her progress.

[GoBecGo]

It's funny how much jumping in is mentioned as a skill - a few months ago she wouldn't jump in. Then one day she would jump in if we caught her. Then a few weeks later she would jump in and not be caught if she was within her depth. Now she will literally RUN to the poolside (not that i let her) and fling herself in, wide of the side, with a look of joy on her face, and don't even TRY to catch her because she kicks up a huge fuss about it! She's certainly not worried about putting her face in the water either. I can't wait to get her some goggles and let her have at it

[EXOLAX]

You've received lots of good suggestions and I just wanted to add a few thoughts.

Kick boards and noodles are good but I honestly prefer the barbells if you really want to do instruction. The barbells can be used like a kick board floating both on front and back to work on kicks. I find it easier to work on arm strokes with the barbell though. You can use them two handed, then one handed with one arm stretched out holding the barbell and working on breathing and stroke combination with the other arm. Here's an example: http://www.bestswimshop.com/product.9950003.htm

Some other ideas:

Gliding from the edge: Hang onto the edge with one arm and push off with feet. Glide on top of the water with both arms stretched out in front of you, one hand on top of the other, face down in the water (basic flying super hero pose) . See how far you can go either in shallow water or to someone catching. Once you have that down add the flutter kick. You can then add a kick board/barbell to work on arm strokes.

Since she's floating on her back a good way to introduce the elementary backstroke is with the "chicken, eagle, snake" approach. On your back put your hands by your armpits (chicken), then stretch your arms out keeping your arms in line with your shoulders (eagle, like you'd make a T with your body), then push both arms straight down along the sides of your body (snake). Rinse/repeat.

You can also modify the chicken/eagle/snake approach for a heads-up breast stroke as well. Once the arm movements are down you can then work on breathing and depending on her coordination you can introduce the appropriate kick.

HTH!

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by GoBecGo

She's certainly not worried about putting her face in the water either. I can't wait to get her some goggles and let her have at it

Why the focus on goggles? Most people in this area swim underwater without goggles - yes, even in chlorinated pools. Of course, some pools seem to be harder on eyes than others, and some people have sensitive eyes, but usually goggles are only necessary in a small percentage of people.

I think in general the simpler you can make a sport or activity the more likely it is to be incorporated into your life.

[GoBecGo]

She already complains her eyes sting and she "sees rainbows" round the lights after swimming in our (VERY chlorinated) local pools, and often rubs them red afterwards. I only wear goggles when i'm training (and have my face in the water 90% of the time). I encourage her to jump in and put her face in regardless but i wouldn't expect/encourage her to repeatedly pick a toy up off the bottom or learn to swim under water without goggles on. Also, don't you remember how exciting it was being able to see clearly underwater when you were a kid? It's like a different planet

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by GoBecGo

Also, don't you remember how exciting it was being able to see clearly underwater when you were a kid? It's like a different planet

I do. Googles are fun! I just do not see them necessary for everyone - however from the sound of your post they may be necessary for your DD - at least in this pool.

[pigpokey]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

Why the focus on goggles? Most people in this area swim underwater without goggles - yes, even in chlorinated pools. Of course, some pools seem to be harder on eyes than others, and some people have sensitive eyes, but usually goggles are only necessary in a small percentage of people.

I think in general the simpler you can make a sport or activity the more likely it is to be incorporated into your life.

I wonder if our local authorities have differing chlorination requirements. Here we find that the children learn better in googles. They become distracted by the irritation.

[Tjej]

My DD (3 3/4) and her little friend (5) are in a nice little swimming class right now. They practice:

jumping into AND climbing out of the pool

kicking sitting on the side of the pool and holding onto the side

pushing off the wall with their legs

swimming on their own with lifejackets (but very little of this)

swimming on their back and front with a pool noodle

swimming on their front with the teacher giving his hands as a platform under about where their chest is and they have their hands down there with arms sort of straight to hold them up

bobbing head in and out of water

tipping ears into the water

getting dinosaurs out of the water/pool floor

The class is a half an hour long. The pool is deeper than my DD, but her friend can touch. Pool depth hasn't really been a problem at all - even with the lack of life jackets. There is always a teacher, and she uses the wall as a starting and finishing point. They also have these in-pool tables that the kids swim between that and the wall (so DD can touch on the table).

Tjej

ETA: I wanted to say - I never heard "chicken-eagle-snake" - for me it was always "monkey, airplane, solider".

[BurgundyElephant]

Originally Posted by ocelotmom

Woah, 3-10 year olds in a single class? That seems totally inappropriate to me, especially in something as potentially dangerous as swimming.

Seriously?

[rainbowmoon]

loving this thread!


DS is going to start swimming lessons soon and is super keen on the idea of competitive swimming. (I did it for 6 years so I am excited for him!) but obviously we need to learn to swim first! hehe.

ETA- my eyesight is so bad as I've gotten older that I don't swim anymore because I can't SEE without my contacts or glasses. Do you mamas know, is it possible to get prescription goggles? (ohhh what I would do to be able too swim laps again!)