Before I became a mom, I had no idea how much problem-solving is involved with raising a kid. When an issue arises that needs attention, you mull it over. If you can't figure it out, you try to find someone knowledgeable to help, usually starting with trusted friends or family before moving on to the pros via books or in person. Sometimes there are products that help. Kiddo swimming is no different. For safety reasons, swim proficiency is super important to me and I've been trying to figure out how to get Eli there.
Eli took swimming lessons last year at age four. It was a good experience and he liked the pool, but he always wanted his head completely above water. The instructor recommended a Water Gear float belt that keeps kids at a fairly low buoyancy level (compared with a flotation vest). His instructor also suggested that Eli work on lying down in the bathtub with his ears underwater, and it felt like a real victory when Eli was at peace with doing this. I was glad for the progress, but he was still a long way from swimming.
This year, in late May, we tried lessons again. Eli is five and a half now, which made a difference. Every day as I watched, he became more confident. Finally, near the end of the session and with his instructor right beside him, Eli paddled about five feet without his "floatie belt." (See proud picture above! As for the product pictures below, they are Amazon links.)
I was thrilled, but now what? I looked around for more lessons, but the affordable ones were full and the expensive ones didn't fit with our camp schedule. So I talked to some of the best swimmers I know as well as Eli's aunt who used to teach kids to swim. Getting Eli over the urge to keep his head above water at all times was crucial, yet I didn't want to force him. (I've known too many people who can't swim because someone literally put them in a situation over their heads!)
One of my mama friends suggested getting a mask for Eli rather than goggles as they are more comfortable. Thus I got Eli a scuba-type mask that keeps his nose dry...
In addition, Eli's aunt said that getting kids interested in retrieving underwater objects can help, so I got Eli some diving toys -- little colorful fish with streamer tails
There's something amazing about the first time you look down and see your kid swimming underwater. I was so proud! Eli still needs someone right beside him because he tires quickly. We're getting much closer to swimming proficiency, though!
I think today's success came from breaking the problem down into smaller parts. Figuring out how to move your body in the water is tricky. It's even harder when you can't see like normal and it feels weird to have water in your nose. Taking the latter two issues out of the equation gave Eli an advantage in figuring out the rest.
Hopefully, once Eli is swimming well, the water in his nose won't bother him much. Thus I also got Eli a pair of the new hybrid-type goggles. They are small like goggles yet are actually a mask around both eyes, which means less pressure on the eye sockets. The nose is not covered. (Thanks Christine for letting me know about these! And I do have some nose clips in case Eli would like them.)
If anybody else has tips for helping kids learn to swim well, please share! Thanks!
Update: A friend noted that it is important to have kids practice swimming sometimes without masks or nose clips. Then if they unexpectedly fall into water or get hit by a wave, they are used to those sensations and won't panic. (I'm paraphrasing, but thanks, Emily! Good thinking!)
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