Helpful Hints for Having a Successful Infant Swim Class

April 21, 2009

Demonstrate : Your instructor will show you what to do. Make sure you understand completely before trying it yourself. Doing it wrong can do more harm than good.

Repetition : Do it over and over again. You will get tired and possibly bored, but for your baby’s sake, make an extra effort. Practicing a skill helps reduce the fear of the unknown. PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT !

Praise is their reward. Make it sincere and from the heart. You want to accentuate the positive and ignore the negative. Let your child know you are proud of every task they attempt.

Be on time for swimming lessons. Give your child time to relax, observe other classes, and become familiar with the surroundings before class. Stay calm. Children can sense a parent’s anxiety.

SAFETY FIRST, LAST AND ALWAYS . Children need to learn and develop safe habits around the pool area and water. Children are not responsible and have little judgment ability. NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A CHILD. YOU MUST CONSTANTLY WATCH HIM/HER — Before, during and after class. Teach your child not to run around the pool area or throw objects into the pool. Refrain from allowing your child to play on the steps or pool walls.

Don’t over set YOUR goals for your child . It is better to reset them from time to time in order to be more realistic for both you and your child. Start out small, leave room for them to grow. Never show disappointment or scold for something not done to your expectations.

Give encouragement and be understanding. Be patient and keep trying. Swimming is one of the hardest things to learn, yet people tend to expect fantastic results with the least amount of learning time. Give help, love, and praise.

Crying : There are different degrees, and a certain amount of crying is expected from time to time. Don’t get upset. A little is OK, but a lot is not.