There are still many physical education teachers and, above all, swimming instructors, who think that to teach a child to swim You have to start with the technical and mechanical mechanisms of ... blah blah blah. I do not continue, because all this is nonsense. And I'm going to show you.
Think about it for a moment. Imagine you want to teach your little one how to play soccer, for example. Would you start by putting a ball at his feet and teaching him how to run with it, pass, shoot, dodge, dribble, and all those other things? Right? The first thing we do is Play with them, and we let them explore the ball, touch it, throw it. And we play a bunch of things that may or may not resemble soccer. Because the first thing they have to do is become familiar with the environment, get to know your body, experiment, and enjoy. The same goes for swimming: first you have to play with the water and become familiar with the environment, that there will be time to swim and refine the technique.
The importance of knowing how to swim
In the childhood to know how to swim It is overrated, in my opinion. What the children have to do is know defend yourself in the aquatic environment. And that is not the same as swimming, at least not understanding how some want to sell it to us (too many, unfortunately).
To defend themselves in the aquatic environment, children have to learn to move through the water, stay afloat And "breathe." I put that in quotes because it's funny when I hear people talk about how important it is to learn to breathe in water. You see, it's not like we're going to turn into fish, or rather, amphibians.
And I don't mean to say that knowing how to swim isn't important. In fact, I think that swimming is very important, and which is highly recommended for many reasons. I simply want to emphasize that The priority with children is that they handle themselves in the water So they gain confidence and lay the foundation for what will later become the technical movements of different swimming styles naturally. Just as running or holding a ball is natural when a child learns to play soccer.
Furthermore, the domain of water is a security factor Key: Drowning can happen quickly, even in small amounts of water, and even a baby can be at risk in very shallow depths. Therefore, along with learning, it is essential to constant adult supervision and respect for basic safety rules in swimming pools, beaches, lakes or rivers.
- Physical benefits: improved coordination and balance, strengthening of muscles and the cardiorespiratory system, and increased lung capacity.
- Emotional benefits: increased confidence, fear management, relaxation and better rest.
- Social and cognitive benefits: socialization, cooperative play, sensory stimulation and psychomotor development.
Regarding age, many children acquire the coordination to learn formal styles around the 4 years, but familiarization and play with water can begin earlier, even from babies with programs such as midwifery, always with the accompaniment and support of parents and qualified personnel.
Keys to start teaching children to swim
The child must play with and in the water
The first thing you have to keep in mind when you want your child to learn to swim is that You should let him play in the water and with the water. Children have to feel comfortable in the aquatic environment, feel that water is something fun and, above all, that they can master.
But some children have fear of swimming pools Large or very deep pools, even if they have all kinds of floating accessories. That's why it's important, if we detect fear, to start with shallow pools, so that the child gains confidence. If the children are very young, you probably won't have a problem with this. You can also start at home with games in the bathtub: controlled splashing, gentle overhead showers, and floating toys to associate water with pleasurable experiences.
The baby swimming classes They are a recommended option during the first year of life, as they allow parents to hold the baby and perform simple and fun exercises in the water. Thus, little by little, they increase their confidence and tolerance for immersion, without forcing it.
If the child laughs and enjoys playing, splashing and acting freely, his motivation to learn to swim will be greater, and the acquisition of basic skills derived from physical activity will facilitate subsequent technical work.
Games should stimulate the development of basic skills
In addition to free games, it is important to propose other games focused on developing skills and movements that we will later need to perform. We are talking about kicks, strokes of all kinds, floatation in a horizontal position, turns, jumps, propulsions, etc.
Some useful ideas: collect objects from the bottom in shallow areas to submerge your face and open your eyes underwater, racing, blowing bubbles to work on exhalation, or move a ball from side to side, pushing it with your forehead to control body position. The typical progression is: bubbles with your mouth, bubbles with your face inside, and stick your head in for a few seconds, always respecting the child's pace.
Games are also a great way for children to begin to put your head under water, that they learn to hold their breath and that they learn to coordinate movements.
And it was time for technical teaching
You can spend months playing games with the children. without feeling the need before you start teaching them the technique. To do this, continue to approach it as a game and go at their pace.
When playing, introduce simple patterns: first kicks holding onto the edge or a board; then, alternate strokes while you hold her abdomen; and later, coordination Basic arm and leg movements along with underwater exhalation. A good way to do this is to hold the armpits, ask the child to blow bubbles, and gently kick, releasing a few seconds so that he discovers that he can stand alone horizontally.
Always respect their process: they won't learn in a minute or a day. regular practice (at least once a week) and small, steady, positive progress is the key.
Essential safety and support equipment
Safety is non-negotiable. A attentive adult You should always be vigilant, even if the child is already moving around freely. Incidents can happen. quickly and in shallow depth. Avoid distractions (mobile, reading) when you are in charge and establish clear rules of behavior in the pool and on the beach.
Use support material judiciously: bullion tables, churros and glasses facilitate learning and comfort, but prevent children from depend on floats or cuffs. They are useful in the transition, not a permanent solution. Encourage them to gradually loosen them to gain real confidence in their floatation and balance.
Reinforce essential habits: enter slowly by stairs or ramp in the first sessions, check depth Before jumping, teach how to turn to return to the edge, and practice the position of dorsal flotation as a resting resource if they get tired.
If you can, value specialized classes or intensive programs during vacation periods: a concentrated dose of practice accelerates the consolidation of technique and to maximise security and your enjoyment., always maintaining the playful approach.
Don't betray him !!!!
Never throw a child into the water betrayal, especially if they're already showing signs of fear. It's neither fun nor effective, nor does it serve any good. And don't let anyone do it.
And his fear of water will surely pass someday, but the mark you'll leave on him by doing something so cruel—or allowing it to be done to him—will take its toll. Instead, accompanies, offers support under the armpits, verbalizes each step, celebrates achievements, and if he/she shows rejection, detente and return to simpler games. The goal is to build a relationship positive with water, don't prove anything to anyone.
A well-planned process integrates play, safety, breathing, floating and movement, with little challenges and many repetitions. Thus the child wins autonomy, enjoy the water and lay the foundations for a correct technique that will come slowly, naturally and lastingly.
