All children try to manipulate those in control. They may try to manipulate “the bringer” whenever possible. They may try to manipulate me during the lesson. You as a parents are on duty 24 hours a day and there may be gaps in your continuity of parenting. Since I have them for 10 minutes at a time, I pay no attention to the manipulative noise (crying) and stay focused on the task at hand. Saving one’s life demands and immediate action, which is developed as a conditioned response.
Look happy (even if you may be uneasy or unsure). Your feelings are transferred to your child. If you appear to be happy and confident, your child will acclimate to the activity quicker.
When parenting and giving instructions, eye contact is essential. So do not wear sunglasses. Ms. Wendy will not wear sunglasses during the lesson.
In between lessons during the session, do not talk much about the lessons, especially if your child is resistant, other than to offer praise and encouragement.
After the session is over, continue to use the same drills we used during lessons. The side and the steps can be your partner. If two adults are available, have the child swim between the two. Extend the distance in either of the above situations as the ability increases. Walk closer to shorten the distance if needed. Do not extend the swimming distance by moving backwards to maintain your credibility with your child.
Give lots of encouragement and smiles.
Use a calm, reassuring voice at all times.
Promote and encourage slow swimming.
My style of instruction, and philosophy of parenting depending on the situation, includes not to ask but to tell your child what you want them to do or what is going to happen. For example, if you need to go to the grocery store, politely tell your child, “It’s time to go to the grocery store.” If you say, “Do you want to go to the grocery store?”and your child says “no”, but you know you both will be going, you lose credibility with your child. You also should not give your young child the control by allowing them to determine when they might be ready to go to the grocery store and scheduling around their desires. I agree with giving children choices, but make the choices be options you agree with. Be in charge of all areas of the child rearing that necessitates mature and responsible decisions; of course learning to swim, and rules around swimming, is just one example. Since the new skill of swimming has been successful, use it with future new educational experiences. Remember that success promotes other successes.
Use of Arms
The use of arms to aid a young swimmer (under 3 1/2 years old) is minimal at best. The child’s legs are what provide the forward movement. Since the child is often on his/her feet, these muscles are more developed at this stage. The arms become a factor as a general rule around 3 1/2 years old. The first arm movement is termed a “dog paddle”. The next in progressions of learning is the breaststroke (circles with arms). A crawl or “big arm stroke” is the next step. Most swimmers will reach with their arms making the body similar to a surfboard or horizontal position. This position is the best way to save a life.
Breathing
Do not push a new swimmer to get a breath. The breathing position is more or less vertical and the child is not a water treader due to the lack of body strength and the horizontal swimming position is what saves a life. As the the new swimmer gains more strength and confidence, taking breaths appropriately will come.
Pool Safety
Make your new swimmer aware of the difference of each swimming venue. Point out sides of pools that may be unreachable. Point out the location of exits including the steps, ladders. Discuss the use and misuse of diving boards and slides. Variables that help determine a “safe” pool for your child include:
- Height of pool water
- Distance from the top of the water to the top of the deck
- Length of the child’s arm
A child who cannot reach the top of the wall on the side of the pool is not safe, no matter how good a swimmer.
When to Help and How
Needless to say, help your child when necessary - but do so calmly. Don’t panic and be reassuring at all times. Keep in mind that often times children, especially when first swimming with a parent, will make a u-turn back to the adult when directed to swim to the steps or wall. In spite of the desire to pick up or rescue the swimmer, gently redirect the child back to the original destination. This is done by using your hand on the back of their head while still underwater to guide them until they have reached the safety of the steps or side. This will train your child to go to the steps or side - that will always be there. And adult may not be. If an accident happens, like a child falling into a pool with no supervision, the most important factor is for their immediate reaction to be survival and go to the side or steps, not waiting for a rescue by an adult at that moment. The waiting could lead to a tragic ending.
Transitions from a Pool to Other Water Conditions (oceans, lakes, rivers)
- Walk with the child in knee-deep water to get used to the irregularity of the bottom
- Have two adults standing at chest level depth and have the swimmer go back and forth - a distance of 6-8 feet apart
- Have one adult walk a child out to a depth where they can no longer touch the bottom and then supervises the child to swim to another adult 6-8 feet away
- The adult that received the child can supervise the child swimming until he/she can find the bottom and safely stand by themselves