by Glenda Thompson

Created on: January 29, 2008   Last Updated: September 30, 2008

Beginner's basics in the swimming pool begin with the feel of the water. Touching it, getting to know what it's like to be immersed in that wonderful, life giving substance! A baby will remember what it was like to be back in the womb, floating in it's little amniotic sac of fluid. We come from water, going back into it should be the most natural thing in the world!

Teaching swimming is an extremely rewarding experience. Having been taught to swim at a very early age myself, I subsequently developed a deep love for the water. I ended up swimming for my province and when I eventually had children, taught them all to swim at the age of two.
Over the years I have wanted to see other people experience that wonderful feeling of absolute confidence in the water and consequently became a swimming teacher.

One should bear in mind that children should be taught by an experienced and qualified teacher. I have often heard of children being terrified of water as they have been taught by someone without the required experience.

Swimming is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding sports for many reasons.
It teaches confidence; is great exercise; improves breathing; can lead to more serious water sports like skiing or scuba diving and with the number of private swimming pools being constructed around the world and with the popularity of water sports in general it is imperative for children to learn to swim at an early age - for safety's sake.

1. A swimming lesson should begin with making the pupil feel comfortable and happy in the water. The teacher should be in constant contact with the pupil. If they take a while to feel at home in the water, they should be gently eased into it. Talking tenderly to the pupil helps especially if they are very young. Holding onto them and dipping them up and down in the water while chatting all the time will take their mind off their fear.

2. Once it is established that the pupil is happy the next step is to encourage them to dip their faces in the water. So many children who are not taught to swim properly try swimming with their heads out of the water. They tire quickly and could eventually drown if they are not close enough to the side of the pool. Encouraging them to put their faces in the water and blowing bubbles is a huge step in getting them to be water safe. They could practice this step at home by blowing bubbles in the bath or basin - making sure their faces are submerged when doing so. A parent should naturally be in the bathroom when

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