Children are great at basic swim skills. Streamline floating, fast kicking, and long accelerated paddling down the centreline, leads to a great swimming technique, at an early age. But, have you ever wondered what your 3-year-old should be doing in the water?
During 3 to 4 years of age, children become very capable, and confident, in their swimming ability. Even so, it is important that parents, and swimming teachers, do not underestimate the value of parental involvement, and supervision, during the swimming lesson. Parental involvement in the swim lesson allows for a safe and secure learning environment, maximum swim practice time, and continual direction and attention. This one-on-one attention is essential to develop children’s optimal swimming potential.
For three-to-four year old children, learn to swim activities should concentrate on building basic swimming skills that lead to good freestyle and backstroke technique. If we perfect basic swimming skills, such as streamline floating, fast kicking and long accelerated paddling down the centreline, we build strong foundations, and set children up for a great future with their swimming techniques.
A Positive Experience for Both Parent and Child
So, how should you be helping your 3-year-old in the water? There are a number of skills that you need to understand and learn how to teach important elements of the learn to swim process, even if you are a parent.
Here are 8 important skills that you need to learn to help your 3-year-old in the water
- Introduction to the water
- Keeping the child feeling safe at all times
- Pre-defined goals of what we want to achieve
- Importance of revision
- Streamline the body position
- Building a strong backstroke
- Kicking on the back
- More propulsion
- Learning to breathe efficiently
Take a look at this short video on what you need to know
Well done, that is the first step to being better prepared and equipped with the knowledge and skills to assist your little one through to becoming a confident and happy little swimmer.
For more information on why children should learn to swim early on, read our blog here.