Kids learn by playing. The more you can make learning to swim fun for your kids, the more they’ll like it, the quicker they’ll learn, and the more fun you’ll have teaching them.
One of the most important skills you can teach your kids when they’re learning to swim is how to get out of the pool by themselves. The easiest places to get out of the pool are the stairs or pool ladder. Your kids need to be able to get to the stairs or ladder from other parts of the pool. You can make a game out of practicing this critical swimming skill.
While your child holds onto the edge of the pool, show him how to move by pulling himself along the edge with his hands. Move one hand. Then move the other hand to meet it. Practice moving along the wall this way. Now turn it into a game.
Have your child move his hands like cars in a traffic jam. One car has to move before the other can move into position next to it. No passing! Do your kids’ hands wait patiently, or do they honk their horns? What kinds of horns do they have? Are they loud eighteen-wheeler wailers or cute mini beeps?
I guarantee that this swimming lesson will be the most fun you have in traffic all day.