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Teaching Your Kids to Get into the Pool: Stage 1

Your goal for teaching your kids to get into the pool is for them to be able to get into the pool safely by themselves. It seems simple enough to sit on the edge and hop in when you’ve been doing it for years, but your approach to this first step in learning to swim will make a difference in how your kids view the whole process. Here are specific steps for teaching your kids.

Your kids will get into the pool either by using the stairs or pool ladder, by sitting on the edge of the pool and lowering themselves in, or by standing on the edge and jumping into the pool, assuming it’s at least five feet deep.

Initially, though, you’ll be providing lots of physical and emotional support. As your child becomes more comfortable, you’ll gradually remove that support and give him more independence.

Stage 1 of Teaching Kids How to Get into the Pool

Start by getting into the water with your child. You should work on this in water that’s shallow enough for you to feel securely balanced and not too buoyant when you stand, around three to four feet deep.

Have your child sit on the edge of the pool. Sit next to him. Keeping one hand on your child to make sure he’s secure, lower yourself into the water.

Turn to face him, move your body close to the edge of the pool so that your body is just touching his legs, and grasp his waist firmly but gently with your hands. Reassure him that you have a firm grip. Lift him and hold him against your body.

Initially, having lots of body contact will help your child feel secure. He’ll feel most secure if his whole body is touching yours. Eye contact will also help your child feel secure. Hold your child close to your body.

Practice the first stages of feeling the water and holding onto the wall and getting out before moving on to the next stage.

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Time to Play! Getting into the Pool

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. Getting into the pool is the first thing your kids need to learn. How they feel about it will have an impact on their entire swimming experience. How can you make it fun?

Try having your child sit on the edge of the pool and pretend he’s scooting off the end of a slide. Going down a slide is a familiar form of play, so it brings a sense of comfort with it. It’s also fun, so it brings a built-in feeling of pleasure. Be there to catch him after he scoots, and make sure to end with a hug.

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Getting Your Kids into the Pool for the First Time When You’re Teaching Them to Swim

Getting into the pool can be quick and easy or it can take most of your time, depending on where you and your child are in the process. Unless getting into the pool is the new skill you’re teaching or is the recently learned skill that you’re reviewing, take just a minute or two to get into the pool together. If you’re getting into the pool together for the first time, you can use this technique to get into the pool.

Getting into the Pool

If your child does want to try getting into the pool, seat him on the edge of the pool. Keep a hand on him while you climb into the pool first. Making sure you’re stable, stand facing your child, and use both arms to transfer him from the edge of the pool into a close hug. Keep your head and your child’s head close together and at the same level to help him feel secure.

Once You’re In

Splash together, play together, and explore the feel of the water together. Don’t give in to the temptation to start a lesson. This visit is just for getting used to the water.

Getting Used to the Water

When your child is first getting used to the water, try to avoid splashing his face with water. Instead, get his face wet gently, by stroking him with your fingers. If his face does get wet, don’t wipe it off. There’s nothing wrong with getting a little wet, so don’t send a non-verbal message that says otherwise.

When You’re Teaching Your Kids to Swim, Leave Them Wanting More

Don’t push practice too long. Not only does it stop being fun, but also it’s physically less effective. If your child is tired, everything will feel harder and scarier.

The Most Important Thing

After safety, the most important thing to accomplish on your first visit to the pool is to have fun. You’re not just introducing your child to the water. You’re also introducing him to the style and approach you’ll take when you’re teaching him to swim, setting up his expectations for how he’ll feel about spending time in the pool with you, and setting in motion the development of feelings he’ll have toward swimming for the rest of his life. If it’s not fun, step back, adjust your expectations for yourself and your child, and try for fun again. Not only will it help your child learn, it’ll be…fun.

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Time to Play! Getting into the Pool

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.

If your kids are working on getting into the pool by themselves, try having them play this game.

How would different animals get into the pool? Try it like a cat, a bear, a butterfly, and a hummingbird. How about a crocodile—check out some cool Youtube footage of that—a duck, a frog, a tiger, a dog, or a hippo?

A word of warning: make sure to screen the Youtube possibilities before you share them with your kids. There’s nothing like an errant viewing of a crocodile in a swimming pool to make your kids afraid of the water.

What’s your kids’ favorite animal to imitate?