Tips for Kids’ Swimming Lessons: Getting Your Child Swimming From and Early Age…
If you have enrolled your child in swimming lessons, first of all: congratulations! You have taken an important step towards ensuring your child will lead a healthier lifestyle, as well as increasing their intelligence, social, emotional and fine motor skills. Of course, you may feel a bit like a fish out of water and may be wondering what you need to bring to the swimming lessons.
Firstly, your child will need suitable swimwear, of course. If your child is a small baby, or a child of any age that is not yet potty trained, they will be required to wear swimming nappies. These come in a range of designs, both disposable and reusable, so there is no need to worry about your child not looking their best. You will, of course, need a warm fluffy towel for afterwards, regardless of your child’s age, as well as shampoo to wash the chlorine out of their hair.
For slightly older children, a swim cap is a good idea. Do try to get a cap of reasonable quality and sprinkle the tip with some talcum powder. This absorbs moisture and keeps the skin nice and dry. It also helps to make the process of putting the cap on and taking it back off easier. Next, you will need some goggles. These need to be the right shape and fit. You may be of the opinion that your child needs to learn to open their eyes under water, but this can be quite traumatic for them so you may want to start with goggles.
If you do need anything else, the swimming lessons instructor will probably tell you about this before your lessons start. Generally, any floatation devices or other devices needed for the lessons themselves are provided by the pool or leisure centre. Generally, however, floatation devices are not used regularly as they can make children dependant on the devices, rather than learning to swim themselves. This all depends, however, on the level at which they have been enrolled in swimming lessons.
Lastly, depending on the age of your child, you may be required to be in the pool during the swimming lessons, so you will also need good swimwear and a towel for yourself of course. If there is no need for you to be in the pool, you will be able to sit on the side lines and observe your child, which can be a great experience.
