Swimming with a 6 year old

[nannynewo]

Hello everyone, very sorry if I have put this in the completely wrong place but just need some general advice and tips.

I have a lot of experience working with young children and this summer will be taking care of a 6 year old girl (family member) while her parents are at work.

I am a very strong swimmer (previously competed in many competitions) so offered to teach my cousin how to swim this summer since her school doesn't offer swimming lessons until they are much older.

So my question is, has anyone got any tips for how to teach a 6 year old to swim? Because this will be my first time swimming with a child on my own.

I suppose it will just come naturally but thought I would see if there are any do's or don'ts or fun ways to help teach a child to swim.

Thanks in advance :)

Having watched DS1's swimming lessons for over a year now, I'd suggest the following:
Start with simply working on confidence in the water, putting face under, star floats etc.
Teach proper strokes with a woggle/noodle or float
Just have fun!

ive taught or helped all my charges to swim, one was fully swimming without arms bands etc at 2.5 but was a water baby, we went swimming every day as private member of pool

i always teach them in the deep end or over their head, as if they can touch thr bottom they always put feet down

woggles and arm bands are good and as get more confidence/learn to swim let air out slowly

fun is important as well in the water, so do jumping in shallow end and playing as well as teaching iyswim

Thanks guys :)
some great tips here!!
It's hard to know who will be having the most fun! I love swimming ha ha!

woggle/noodle or swim fin are the best swimming aids as the are closest to hiw child with move and have natural bouancy I the water. arm bands are not recommended because they restrict movement and gube falso confidence, how you swim with arm bands is completely different from how you swim unaided.

try games in the water, blowing bubbles, putting face in, chasing objects, set small goals and give lots of praise and encouragement. good luck!