The Best Swim Lesson for Toddler and Baby

Are you ready to start a swim journey with your little one? Swim lessons taught by professionals are always best but there are also some things you can do to ease your toddler and baby into the world of swimming.

Teaching your toddler and baby to swim is not only a fantastic way to bond but also an essential life skill that will keep them safe and confident around water.

In This Article

The Benefits of Toddler and Baby Swim
What to Expect from Swim Lessons
The Swim Lesson
A Few Tips from Swim Coach Veronica
Bottom Line

The Benefits of Toddler and Baby Swim

The number one benefit of introducing your baby to swimming is confidence and enjoyment for both you and your baby. Babies who start swimming early tend to be less fearful of the water as they grow older and learn to be independent swimmers.

And isn’t it fun to wake up on a Saturday morning and head to the pool with your baby to enjoy singing, splashing, and a community of other parents?

Another fantastic benefit is physical growth and strength building. Swimming helps build muscle strength and improves coordination and balance.

Water safety is always a huge concern for parents and early swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning, especially in children over the age of one. According to the CDC, there are some 3,536 drowning-related deaths annually, about one in five of which are children 14 and younger. Being comfortable in the water through swim lessons is a crucial first step towards water safety.

Finally, better appetite and sleep are bonus benefits of the exercise and stimulation swim lessons offer. My babies would always fall asleep as soon as they were dressed and placed in their car seats after a swim lesson.

What to Expect from Swim Lessons

It is important that you make your child’s first exposure to swimming pleasant. Look for pools that offer quiet and calm toddler and baby swim lessons and warm temperature water, about 85 F.

Make sure the instructor is certified to teach young children as well as being CPR, AED, and First Aid trained and certified.

There are several kinds of toddler and baby swim lessons but the most common are Safety Swim, focused on water safety; Fun Swim, focused on play and music in the water; and Serious Swim, a combination of both.

Most likely a typical swim lesson will comprise of Warm-Up Fun: Gentle splashing and water play to get comfortable. Floating Adventures: Learning to float and kick with the help of fun pool toys. Skill Time: Various leg, arm and body swim techniques for young children. Game Time: End the lesson with water games that reinforce skills and hopefully brings lots of smiles and laughter.

The 30-Minute Swim Lesson

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Activity: Gentle splashing and water play.
Objective: Help toddlers get comfortable in the water.
Equipment: Pool toys (floating toys).

2. Basic Skills (10 minutes)

Activity: Blowing bubbles and face immersion.
Objective: Encourage toddlers to put their faces in the water and blow bubbles.
Equipment: None needed.

3. Floating and Kicking (10 minutes)

Activity: Assisted back floats and kicking exercises.
Objective: Teach basic floating and kicking techniques.
Equipment: Kickboards or pool noodles.

4. Fun and Games (5 minutes)

Activity: Water games like “Ring Around the Rosie” or retrieving toys.
Objective: Make learning fun and reinforce skills.
Equipment: Pool toys or rings.

Tips for Success:

Safety First: Always ensure close supervision and never leave child alone or unwatched
Positive Reinforcement: Praise and encourage toddler and baby to build their confidence.
Adaptability: Be flexible and adjust activities based on the child’s comfort and skill level.

A Few Tips from Swim Coach Veronica

Wait for the right time for you and your baby to take swim lessons
Skip floaties and teach safety and skills first. Floaties are not a safety tool
Always supervise your child. It only takes seconds an inch of water for drownings to occur
Never surprise your baby by ducking them under the water. Always tell them what you’re doing regardless of age
Choose clean facilities and warm water for babies, around 85 F
Seek out qualified and properly certified instructors with a good “bedside” manner
Learn infant CPR either by certification or by watching YouTube
Above all, enjoy these precious baby years with your little one
Find more specifics on baby swim in this article

Bottom Line

Why is swimming awesome for toddlers and babies? First, it boosts their confidence. Just watch your little one beam with pride as they conquer new skills. Second, it strengthens their physical development. Finally, it enforces tremendous safety skills in the water.

Remember, the key to a successful swim lesson is patience, encouragement, and plenty of praise. So, grab your swimsuits and just dive in!