A swimming question..

[scotlou]

My ds (5 1/2) has surprised us all from going from being terrified and unable to let me go in the pool (although wearing armbands) to ditching the armbands and swimming a few metres by himself. (He has done this himself in about 4 swimming sessions - so proud of him!)
He is doing a fairly haphazaed doggy paddle - I know he would get there better if I taught him a "proper" stroke - but a. don't want to undo all his own good work and b. don't know which stroke.
Any thoughts?

Swimming lessons?

Would love him to have swimming lessons and intend to put him down on waiting list - has to be at weekend though as we both work full time. But I want to keep him going myself while we wait for lessons.

Sorry that was so short! Just be really encouraging! If you want to teach him a stroke, get him to lie on one of those 'sausage' things (woggles?) so he is supported in the swimming position. But it sounds like he's doing really well anyway.

Probably best to just let him increase his confidence in the water for now and leave the "proper" strokes to the teachers. How about encouraging him to hold on to a float and kick with his feet, hold on the side and "walk" up the wall of the pool, jump in (into your arms if he is nervous of going under), putting his face in the water (goggles helps with this if they are unsure).

All things I did with my dds before they started swimming lessons (through school) last week. dd1 was the same as your ds with the water, and suddenly gained her confidence - lovely to see, isn't it?

one of the most important things that my dd(5)and ds(18 months)have been shown at either swimming lessons or water babes is that you are having fun with them and they see big smiley faces especially when the magic watergoes over their faces and in their eyes.
another important thing to play at is
sit your child on the side of the pool and sing humpty dumpty and encourage them to fall into the water(you can catch them to start with until they build up their confidence) but once they are in the water turn them around and encourage them to swim back to the side-the theory being if it happened in an emergency they might remember what they have played with you...

miaou beat me to it....

I am so proud of him (and thankful to my sil who was the one that took him to the pool and encouraged him while we were working). He has to wear goggles and nose clips but who cares!
Yes- think you're right - I'll leave the technique for a bit yet.

Firstly well done to your ds

My ds 5.3 has just been on a swimming crash course they were teaching them to swim the front & back crawl there.

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