Posted on

Time to Play! Treading Water

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. Try using this game to teach your kids how treading water feels in different positions.

Have your kids move in the water like ducks. Like dogs. Like bears. Like elephants. Show them videos of land animals in the water. What’s as fun as watching an elephant swim? This is also a great time to talk about how humans may have to learn to swim, unlike other land animals that are born knowing how, but how we can become much more graceful swimmers than the animals that tread water all the time.

Posted on

Time to Play! Body Shape and Position

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. This game helps kids learn how their bodies feel when they’re in the best position for swimming.

At home, have your child watch himself in the mirror, standing with his arms above his head. Hold something just above his fingertips and have him stretch to reach it. How does it feel? Turn the exercise—it’s a great stretch, by the way—into a game by making marks on the wall to see what his maximum reach is. Now it’s your turn. Have your kids stand on a stepstool or ladder to hold something just beyond your reach.

Posted on

Time to Play! Popup Breathing

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. Here’s a game that will help you teach your kids to breathe when they’re in the pool.

Sing “Pop Goes the Weasel” and have your kids pop up on the word “Pop.” Make sure to emphasize that their arms have to push down to make them pop up. Support your kids loosely around the waist between pops, and let them sing along or just listen to you. Really belt it out. Singing in the swimming pool is almost like swimming in the shower. Be loud!

Posted on

Time to Play! Gliding

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. This way of practicing gliding in the streamline or torpedo position is sure to make the whole family giggle.

Play catch with your gliding child as the ball. (You’ll need another adult for this one.) How far can the ball go? What kind of ball is he? Maybe he’s an arrow instead, or a javelin. Let him choose. Make a big deal out of the catch. Try not to tickle him too much, unless he likes it.