How doi I teach my 6-year old to swin with a floatee?

Answer 1

Hey Gary, get rid of the floatie and teach him how to swim without it. He's got enough coordination and strength by now to learn how to swim pretty well. The floatee only creates a false sense of confidence and creates dependence at the same time, a dynamic which can wreak havoc when the time DOES come for him to get rid of the thing. Take it slow and be consistent. Start with little things like being comfortable in the water, floating, doing bobs and putting his face in. A 6-year-old has a lot of courage and not a lot of fear so remember that. He will try things that you try so show him first hand how to blow bubbles, how to get his face wet, etc. Always support him and encourage him and be in the water with him. You could send him to swimming lessons or have someone come over to your house and give them as well. An outside source is always helpful because your child will not trust that person as much as he trusts you and will be more willing to try harder because he will not know the instructor's "buttons" the way he knows yours. If she says to do something, chances are he will try it and not complain.

There are videos and books available to help you teach your own child to swim. Here are a few resources for you and some of these may even be available in your local library!

eHow's Tips on Teaching a Child to Swim
http://www.ehow.com/how_5295_teach-child-swim.html

Teaching Your Child to Swim (paperback, available at Target)
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-6031873-1844924?asin=1899924396&afid=yahoosspplp_bmvd&lnm=1899924396|Books_:_Teaching_Your_Child_to_Swim_(Straightforward_Guides)&ref=tgt_adv_XSNG1060

Kid's First Tips on Teaching a Child to Swim
http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org/infoswim.htm

Waterproof Kids DVDs
http://www.waterproofkids.com/

Miss Bea's Learn to Swim DVD
http://www.video-line.com/dvd/learn_to_swim.html

Also, never forget to teach him water safety as he learns! How to get in an out of the pool properly, not to run, how to jump outward and not close to the wall, never to siwm alone, etc. The more consistent you are with the rules the more routine they will become and the safer your child will be around his pool and other people's.

Good luck!!!

Answer 2

Get one that fits well so it's not too bulky for him, and let him get in. He won't be Mark Spitz at first, but floaties allow the kids to get the feel of moving through the water, and help in strengthening those muscles. After a while, he'll have it down and be ready to try it with help, and no floatie.

Answer 3

Teaching with floatees might not be the best idea. It give the kids a fales sence of security. When the time come where they do want to test waters without supervision (not that you wont supervise them at all times) they will at least be able to keep themselves afloat and get to a rail.

Answer 4

With our 4 year old, we put him in our family pool (not too deep, about up to his shoulders) and put a floatie around him. He walked around the pool, of course at first he was scared. The key to it is to let them do things at their own pace. Let the child walk around holding on to the edge of the pool so they still feel secure, yet they will start to have fun and eventually let go. Now my little 4 year old is so brave with his floatie, he scares me! =) He starts swimming lessons at our local recreation center in two weeks.

Answer 5

they offer water confidence courses at public pools. it teaches children the basics of pool safety and swimming.

Answer 6

if you are going to teach him to swim throw the floatee away.you cant learn to swim that way.just go slow he will learn.

Answer 7

swin? wat is swinning? is it like swimming?

if so go to your local pool or lifeguard center and they should have lessons or somthing going on

Answer 8

YMCA