Swimming is a pastime as classic as baseball. However, it takes some serious practice and patience for children to hone the skill and become comfortable spending time in the pool. If your kids have expressed an interest in swimming or you want to help nurture their passion for aquatic activities, consider these suggestions for helping them learn.

How to Teach Your Kids to Swim

1. Start Them Gradually

Remember that the pool is a foreign place for a child. That could translate into a vague fear of the unknown, so your first step is to alleviate those worries. Place them on the steps and allow them to play, either by splashing the water gently or with a toy. When they’re more comfortable, place a toy on a step so that the child can reach below the water’s surface to retrieve it. This helps with coordination in the water and reduces the fear of being underwater.

2. Play Some Pool Games

Pool time should be fun! Keep it light by engaging in a few water activities the kids will associate with enjoyment. Toss a ball back and forth in the wading pool, for example, or show them how to blow bubbles in the water. Simply immerse your face, blow out, and come back up. Smile so the kids understand it’s fun being underwater.

3. Explain Breathing Techniques

It’s important that kids understand the importance of holding their breath when they submerge their heads in the pool. The best way to do this is to hold their nose; this is an especially vital step for little ones, as older kids are naturally inclined to hold their breath. Practice this move a few times by having them place as much of their face in the water as they can while holding their breath.

4. Teach Them to Kick

Kicking requires some initial support, either from the pool wall, a kickboard, or a person. The more confident the child becomes, the less support they’ll need. The goal is to learn precise, controlled kicks with straight legs that provide balance and allow the body to propel forward. Once they master this, they’ll be much safer swimming in the pool.

5. Add Some Arm Motions

Swimming is a full-body sport, and kids excel when they remember their arms and legs should move in tandem. Tell them to imagine that their hands are scoops as they make circular motions that resemble arm strokes. Once they learn this basic move, they can practice it along with kicking to properly swim with supervision.

Swimming is a fun challenge that makes time spent in the water more enjoyable and safe for the whole family. If you’re interested in installing an inground pool or want to learn more about installations, contact The Pool Guys in Troy, MO. They specialize in expert pool design, construction, and repairs. Visit their website for details, or call them at (636) 462-7665.