This post was sponsored by SwimWays as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
If you are a mom to a toddler you can probably relate to the idea that there is a love/hate relationship when it comes to time in the water! My little E loves the water, which is a good thing and a bad thing! I have to really watch her around water as she has no clue of the danger! We are prepping for swim lessons this summer but in the meantime I wanted to share a few things I’ve been doing with her when we are in the water, to teach her to swim!
1- Get in: I know it sounds simple but you have to get in, get wet, go under and have fun too. Show them that it’s a fun activity and that it’s something you will enjoy doing with them. This boosts their confidence at the same time provides them security.
2- Let them explore: I know for our little E she has to process what’s going on before she does something. There is a balance here in me letting her take her time exploring and taking that initial step on her own, at the same time I know the line when I can push her across. What I mean by that is…I know when she’s processed this activity and when I can push her a little further. So I let her sit on the steps in the shallow end or on the side of the pool splashing and kicking…then I know when I can take her from that and put her in the pool. She wasn’t too happy about it because it wasn’t her idea at first, but then she realized this really is fun!
3- Give them security: Consider using a float that will help bring security. A little fish in a big pool can be scary for them! Again at first she wasn’t sure about this (what I thought was awesome) float. I just set her in it, even though she was fighting me and before I knew it, she loved it! This float we have is a Swim Ways– which is a leader in helping children learn to swim and promoting water safety. Not to mention it has a canopy (which we didn’t have on at this time) but we have used and love! A float teaches them balance in the water even at a young age! You can snag this at Target in store or online! Never leave their side because this is for their safety and enhances their feeling of security as well.
4- Put their face in the water: I know it sounds awful but show them how to blow bubbles and see if they will. Dunk them under so they begin to learn how to hold their breath. Like a VERY quick dunk. They won’t like it, believe me, but they are learning a lot in this small activity! Hold them under their arm-pits, tell them to take a deep breath and count to three…on the count of three dunk them under and bring them right back up. 
5- Kick: Lay them horizontal with you holding their belly up and they will hold their head up naturally…tell them to kick kick kick…or lay them across your shoulder so they are more horizontal in the pool and take their legs and kick them…showing them how to kick. Another great activity that they are learning so much through.
I hope this helps, any other tips you have you can share?
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