By Cassandra Spratling
DETROIT FREE PRESS

Few activities cool the body in hot weather like a good swim. But playing in or around water can be dangerous if you don’t know how to swim.

Everybody should know how for several reasons, swimming enthusiasts say.


The earlier in life people begin, the easier it is to learn.

We asked a few swim coaches and instructors for advice to help children learn to swim.

Following are Top 10 tips from Detroit experts Robert Jenkins, founder and coach of the Leroy Dues Swim Club; DaShawn Wallace, aquatics director at the Royal Oak Y; Scott Hedges, head swim coach at Cranbrook Schools; and John Marshall, pool coordinator and swimming coach for Southfield Parks and Recreation.

1. Take lessons from certified and experienced instructors. Some parents think they can teach their children to swim. Unfortunately, children may pick up bad habits that way, and bad habits are hard to break, Jenkins says.

You can rely on places such as the YMCA to have certified instructors, but it doesn’t hurt to interview them. Ask where they were trained, how long they’ve been teaching and even ask for a general overview of their approach and style.

2. Choose the right teacher. Parents should seek a teacher whose style best suits their child. Some children will do better with a mild-mannered calm instructor whereas others may do better with an instructor who’s more aggressive. A bad experience early on may turn off a child.

3. Start early. The sooner a child starts lessons, the more comfortable he or she is likely to be.

4. Make sure the child is well-rested. Children will not do well if they are tired, cranky or stressed, Wallace says. Remember not to schedule a class when it’s the child’s normal naptime or wind-down time.

5. Expose children to water early and often. The more children are around water, the more comfortable they will be.

6. Practice regularly and year-round. “The more you do it, the better you become at it,” Jenkins says. Hedges said people mistakenly view swimming as a warm-weather sport only. “One thing I say to parents is, ‘Would you teach your child to read just three months out of the year?’ ”

7. Be a good model. If parents are fearful of water, that fear is more likely to be passed on to children. “Children pick up on verbal and nonverbal messages from parents,” Hedges says.

If you are afraid, don’t be obvious about it. Avoid making comments that may harm their confidence. Consider taking lessons yourself.

Jenkins says he has heard parents tell children learning to swim never to get into deep water. It’s impossible to help a child feel comfortable in deep water when parents are telling them not to attempt it.

8. Promote the benefits of swimming. Knowing how to swim can be a lifesaver for your child or someone else. It’s a physical activity that most people can do all their lives. Swimming is excellent overall exercise. It’s a good activity children can do with friends and family.

9. Be mindful of common mistakes. The most common mistake is lifting the head out of the water to breathe instead of turning the head to the side to get air. Also, the most efficient kicking uses the whole leg, not the foot.

10. Reward success. Find a system of rewards that works for you and your child. For example, when a child masters a particular stroke, swims a full lap, or even is finally OK with water splashing in his face, that might be a good time for an ice cream stop after class.

SAFETY TIPS
The YMCA offers the following tips to help parents keep their children safe and injury-free in the water this summer:

Actively supervise your children both in and around the water.

Teach children to swim at an early age and educate them early about water safety.

Make sure children swim within designated areas and stay within your sight.

Instruct children to never run, push or jump on others in and around the pool.

Become certified in infant and child CPR.

Make sure children always wear life jackets and use proper water safety devices.

Ensure that kids drink plenty of fluids to stay properly hydrated, especially on hot days.

Wear hats and sunglasses and apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher to protect yourself and your children.

Keep your child’s ears dry to prevent ear infection.

Do not let your child scratch his or her ears or put anything in them, because this can increase the chances of infection.

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