How to teach swim lessons-kid just started putting his face in?

Question

ok well first off i am a NCSA jr nationals qualifier and finalist-yet i have no clue how to teach swimming to little kids! i swim at a summer club and sometimes i help out at pratcice and give tips to the younger kids on racing stuff. so one of the girls i work with's mom asked me if i can give her 4 yr old son swim lessons. caught in the moment, and figuring this wouldnt be hard, i said sure. then i realized i had no idea what im doing. i dont know how to teach a kid how to swim! by the way she said he just started putting his face in so has no experience whatsoever. so does anyone have any advice? im thinking ill definietly do blowing bubbles, kicking at the wall, maybe kicking on hsi back while i hold him?? idk!! sorry this is long and rambling but I NEED HELP BADLY the lesson is thursday

Answer 1

i always get the kids at swimming lessons who cant go under.

but once they are putting their face in its easy.

make sure they trust you though.

and just ask him to do a front float.

use a diving stick to encourgae him and bribe him with stickers.

when they are 4 it all depends on their perosnality and how much they liek you.

good luck

Answer 2

first it's important that the student does trust you and you believe that the child CAN swim. I taught a 2 year old to swim (she can swim 50 meters on her back and the width of the pool on her front - not sure how far that was 20 yards maybe) but it is possible. Start with the blowing bubbles and rotary breathing this will level out their body and get their legs up to kick instead of "running". Strengthen that kick with the use of kickboards that way they only move when they kick. For the arms stress the importance of keeping their fingers together and "reach and pull" at this age and beginning stage it's not essential that the arms come all the way out of the water. when he's comfortable putting his face in, kicking, and paddling begin to bring arms out of the water.

Keep in mind that swimming needs to be fun too. if there are lifejackets around or noodles let him use those too. Be creative and have fun. Good luck.

Answer 3

Rather easy to teach a kid able to put whole face in the water and hold his breath, even for 3-5 secs. In that length of time he is able to cover a good distance.

The next essential step is to teach him the flutter kick while holding on to a kick-board. Encourage him to put his face down and blow small bubbles. After two sessions, you can do without the board. Stand a metre away from the side of the pool, hold him by the waist and tell him to kick towards it; help him with a little push. Do a few more and increase the distance, a little at a time. When his breath-hold is sufficient and his kick becomes effective, stop holding him and let him swim himself, with a little throw or push.

Cheers, should work, and best of luck!

Answer 4

besides what you mentioned, try teaching him to use a kickboard. have him hold it with his arms stretched out, and have him put his face in the water and blow bubbles while kicking.

Answer 5

i agree wit universal