Your 2-year-old, when in the pool, will combine the paddling and kicking actions to move efficiently through the water. The child will also be capable of performing water safety and survival skills. During this stage children can become very mobile in the swimming lesson. The child’s physical development on land means that they can walk up and down stairs, run, jump, throw and kick balls.

Propulsive Swim Skills

This increased coordination means that the propulsive swimming skills start to become more controlled. The child can now combine both the paddling and kicking actions used in swimming. This allows them to swim more efficiently through the water. The child will also be capable of performing water safety and survival skills such as swimming in both the horizontal and vertical plane.

Social and Emotional Changes

Parents and swimming teachers will also notice social and emotional changes in the 2-year-old in the pool, as they begin to play realistic games and become interested in interacting with other children. The child will show a strong desire to play independently in shallow water. This water play is important to teach children their boundaries in the water and must always be done under strict adult supervision. While independent play is important to develop a love and respect for the water, to develop a great swimming ability, children must be exposed to repetitive manipulation of the basic swimming skill.

Elements of the Learn to Swim Process

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 2-year-old in the pool;

• Introduction to the water,
• Keeping the child feeling safe at all times,
• Predefined Goals we want to achieve,
• Importance of revision,
• How to improve Propulsion,
• Unaided Swimming,
• What you need to know about Back Floating,
• Turning in the water.
• Diving for rings.
• Independence in the water

Now take a look at this short video to give you an overview of 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.

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