tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621701638860930715.post105583366761141078..comments2024-03-29T04:15:40.696-04:00Comments on parentwin: Toddler Tricks - 50: Teaching Them to Swimparentwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056331784261915713noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621701638860930715.post-30174003944731622462011-07-16T11:13:46.217-04:002011-07-16T11:13:46.217-04:00If you want to start when the baby is younger, you...If you want to start when the baby is younger, you can have a routine right before going under water. We sing Ring Around the Rosey and change the end to "We all go UNDER!" then you blow in the babies face. It makes them take a big breath and you can go under quickly without worrying about the baby trying to inhale underwater. We also start to practice blowing bubbles at an early age with Mommy taking an exaggerated big breath before blowing bubbles each time.<br /><br />I personally don't use the flotation devices as Eli swims horizontally and the vests push him so that his face is in the water and he can't get back out. When he doggy paddles on his own, he can get his face back out of the water to swim. <br /><br />One of the most important things to do is teach the child to swim to the side of the pool and hold on or swim to steps if they are in the pool. If Eli ended up in the water without an adult, he knows to get to the side and cling on yelling "HELP!" as loud as he can. He can't swim very far, but he can get from the middle of the pool to a side.Kentucky Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084514184665331401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621701638860930715.post-45751957652804355252011-07-16T10:54:22.880-04:002011-07-16T10:54:22.880-04:00I know you have a disclaimer but I always wince wh...I know you have a disclaimer but I always wince when I see parents point to things like water wings as a perfectly safe option for kids who can't swim. They aren't safe! http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.htmlThe Slacker Momhttp://www.theslackermom.comnoreply@blogger.com