05:56
Faizan
It's time for your three- or four-year-old child to learn to swim, but guess what? She won't put her face in the water even though she splashes like a duck at bath time. Whether you are the teacher or she's taking a formal swim class, using games that practice putting her face in the water can encourage progress and discourage power struggles.
Blow Bubbles and Have a Ball
Blowing bubbles is the first step not only to facial immersion but alsos is a building block to breath control underwater. Demonstrate blowing bubbles yourself while encouraging your child to imagine a fast speed boat, a little fishing boat, or a big cruise ship. Then let him try. Take turns shutting your eyes and guessing what kind of boat the other is imitating. Once your child is comfortable with this game, show him a ping-pong ball and see if he can blow it away with his bubbles. You can hold him and move together as he blows and bubbles the ball across the pool or he can do this while wearing a life jacket. Draw a face on the ball for a few extra giggles.
Painting in the Pool
Most kids like to paint, so come to the pool with a large paintbrush or two and announce that it's time to decorate faces. While she's sitting on the steps, hand the brush to your child and tell her she can paint first. Encourage her to paint your hair, ears, forehead, eyes, nose and lips. Distract her by asking what colors she's pretending to use, and all the while remind her that soon it will be your turn. When she is done, let her watch while you wash the paint off by going underwater. Once you have the brush, go slowly. Paint the top of her head and let the water trickle over her face. It's okay to ask, "May I paint your ears blue?" Can I paint your nose green?" When it's time to rinse, first encourage her to wash her ears off by touching then one at a time to the water, then her forehead, her nose and finally her whole face. Pretending to take a bath in the pool with a sponge is a variation of this game.
Teach a Toy to Swim
For the youngest swimmers, teaching a toy to put its face in the water takes the focus off the child. Let your son pick the toy--a doll, an action figure, or a plastic animal work equally well. First, ask him to hold his breath while he puts T-Rex underwater. Count to three and tell him to breathe at the same moment he brings the dinosaur out of the water. After a few times, ask him to put his own face in the water when his toy goes under. Start with only a count of "1" if he's uneasy or ask him to bubble for a few rounds while the toy is submerged. Progress based on cues from your child, and switch to a different game if he becomes agitated. Gaining confidence in a fun environment is the key to a positive swimming experience.
Blow Bubbles and Have a Ball
Blowing bubbles is the first step not only to facial immersion but alsos is a building block to breath control underwater. Demonstrate blowing bubbles yourself while encouraging your child to imagine a fast speed boat, a little fishing boat, or a big cruise ship. Then let him try. Take turns shutting your eyes and guessing what kind of boat the other is imitating. Once your child is comfortable with this game, show him a ping-pong ball and see if he can blow it away with his bubbles. You can hold him and move together as he blows and bubbles the ball across the pool or he can do this while wearing a life jacket. Draw a face on the ball for a few extra giggles.
Painting in the Pool
Most kids like to paint, so come to the pool with a large paintbrush or two and announce that it's time to decorate faces. While she's sitting on the steps, hand the brush to your child and tell her she can paint first. Encourage her to paint your hair, ears, forehead, eyes, nose and lips. Distract her by asking what colors she's pretending to use, and all the while remind her that soon it will be your turn. When she is done, let her watch while you wash the paint off by going underwater. Once you have the brush, go slowly. Paint the top of her head and let the water trickle over her face. It's okay to ask, "May I paint your ears blue?" Can I paint your nose green?" When it's time to rinse, first encourage her to wash her ears off by touching then one at a time to the water, then her forehead, her nose and finally her whole face. Pretending to take a bath in the pool with a sponge is a variation of this game.
Teach a Toy to Swim
For the youngest swimmers, teaching a toy to put its face in the water takes the focus off the child. Let your son pick the toy--a doll, an action figure, or a plastic animal work equally well. First, ask him to hold his breath while he puts T-Rex underwater. Count to three and tell him to breathe at the same moment he brings the dinosaur out of the water. After a few times, ask him to put his own face in the water when his toy goes under. Start with only a count of "1" if he's uneasy or ask him to bubble for a few rounds while the toy is submerged. Progress based on cues from your child, and switch to a different game if he becomes agitated. Gaining confidence in a fun environment is the key to a positive swimming experience.
Posted in: swimming
