Age-Appropriate Swim Skills: Guiding Your Child from Baby to Teen

Hey there, swim-savvy parents! Guiding your child through their swimming journey can be incredibly rewarding. In this article, we'll dive into age-appropriate swim skills and milestones to help your little one progress from baby to teen.

Babies (6 months to 2 years):

• Encourage water comfort through supervised water play.

• Teach them to blow bubbles and submerge their face in the water.

• Assist them in learning basic kicking and floating skills.

Toddlers (2 to 4 years):

• Introduce basic swim strokes such as the dog paddle and back float.

• Encourage independence by gradually letting them swim short distances.

• Teach them to enter and exit the pool safely.

Children (5 to 7 years):

• Focus on refining swim strokes like freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly.

• Teach treading water and underwater swimming.

• Introduce basic water safety and rescue skills.

Pre-teens (8 to 12 years):

• Improve stroke techniques and build endurance.

• Teach diving and flip turns.

• Encourage participation in swim team activities or competitions.

Teens (13 years and up):

• Continue refining techniques and increasing stamina.

• Offer opportunities for advanced training and specialization.

• Encourage involvement in lifeguarding, swim coaching, or water sports.

Nurturing your child's swimming skills from an early age can help them develop a love for water and stay safe while enjoying swimming. Remember, every child is unique, so be patient and celebrate their progress!