How to teach kids to swim?

Know that feeling when you see your kids doing something for the very first time? Learning how to swim is a huge accomplishment for the little ones, and your role as a parent is super important in helping them achieve it! Keep reading to find out how to offer your kids the best support and guidance while learning how to swim.

What is the best age to start swimming lessons?

Although you may come across some baby aquatic programs, an early start is not important for your kid to master basic swimming techniques. Whether they begin at 2, 4, or 6 years old, all kids eventually figure out how to swim. Experts agree that around the 4th birthday, most kids will be ready to learn basic water survival skills like floating, treading water, and getting to an exit point.

What should kids wear to swim?

First and foremost — a swimsuit! It’s the only item that is truly necessary. A swimsuit should be fitted against your kid’s body to increase range of motion and minimize the chance of slipping off. If you’re opting for swimming trunks, they shouldn’t be too long. Aim for the above-the-knee length to not restrain your child’s movements. 

If your kid has long hair, remember to pack hair ties. Earplugs, goggles, and swim caps are not a must-have, but they may be fun to try out if your kid enjoys wearing them.

4 tips for teaching your kids how to swim

#1 ​​Start with the basics: floating and moving underwater

When your kid dips their toes into the sea for the first time, encourage them to move around and explore the shallow water. When your kid starts feeling confident walking around, floating is the next thing to try. Hold your kid gently and tell them to spread their arms and legs like a starfish. When they find their balance and relax, slowly release your hands. Remember, practice makes perfect, and having fun is the only way to go!

#2 Be patient

Mastering a new skill takes time. Staying calm is necessary, especially when kids start acting out. It’s crucial to make their first experiences with swimming positive so they don’t get discouraged when they fail to do something within the first couple of tries. 

#3 Help them practice

Be there every step of the way, motivating them to keep learning. Tell them how well they did, reward them for not giving up, and most importantly, let them enjoy being in the water. Swimming is not a skill a kid can learn in a day or two — they have to figure out what to do with their arms and legs, learn breathing techniques and adapt to the feeling of floating. So it’s best to relax and go for one thing at a time.

#4 Make it fun

Because for kids, that’s the only important thing, right? Encourage kids to pick rocks from the seabed or to stand on one leg and hold different positions in the shallow water. And when you‘ve had enough time practicing swimming, you can try out 5 camping games to play with your kids.  

Once they start swimming, kids might get overzealous, so our final advice is this: make sure they’re aware of the sea’s strength (and potential dangers). Children shouldn’t fear nature, but they should learn to respect it! Swimming should be a fun and safe activity for everyone involved, so teaching them to be responsible when playing in any water ensures that they only end up with fond memories of their trip to the beach. 

If this got you excited to teach your kids how to swim, check out the beautiful beaches of Camping Village Šimuni. Contact us to book your next vacation and make beautiful memories with your loved ones!