Here are six tips to help your kids build their confidence in the swimming pool...

1. When you take under-5s to the pool, let them take a favourite bath toy with them. It will make them feel more secure.

2. If your kids seem scared of swimming, let them sit on the side of the pool and watch other kids swimming and playing. Don’t coax them in. Let them take their time, even if it takes a few visits. Soon their eagerness to join in will overcome their fears.

3. Once they’ve got some confidence in the water, slowly reduce the amount of air in their water wings over the course of 5 days. It’s easier for them to strengthen their swimming skills in small stages rather than going from full water wings to swimming unsupported.

4. Make going underwater seem less daunting by playing a game. Get a small group together, form a circle, and play Ring a ring o’ roses in the shallow end. When the song reaches ‘we all fall down’, everyone has to duck underwater.

5. Get them used to a basic swimming stroke. Hold them under the arms and put a ball just out of reach, then get them to try and get hold of it.

6. Help them get used to breathing underwater by asking them to put their mouths underwater and blow bubbles, whilst keeping their noses just above the waterline. It will make them feel less claustrophobic, and get them used to the idea of exhaling underwater without panicking.

Once they conquer their fear of water, and see that they can go at their own pace, they’ll quickly advance and learn to swim in no time.

Here’s to your happiness,

Pascale Barrow
Managing Editor of Personal & Finance Confidential
 
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