簽約你的孩子參加游泳課程在很多方面都是有益的。研究表明，游泳課有助於兒童獲得更好的平衡和更強的運動。此外，正式游泳課程可將幼兒溺水的風險降低88％。
如果您剛剛註冊了您的孩子參加游泳課程，或者仍然在逛街，那麼您的頭腦中可能會出現一百萬個問題。德克薩斯溺水預防聯盟主任Linda DeSanders為有興趣參加游泳課的家長提供了一些有用的提示。
它始於沐浴時間
許多父母在洗澡的時候保護孩子的臉不受水污染。但是，游泳課程的一大部分是讓孩子感到舒適。 DeSanders建議將清澈而不肥皂的水澆在浴缸里的孩子臉上。他們會慢慢習慣水進入他們的耳朵和臉部，這將有助於游泳課程。
學會浮動
學會相信水可能對孩子和父母都是困難的，但躺在他或她背上和浮動的能力對於年輕游泳者是有幫助的。這可能是可怕的，但DeSanders建議在洗澡時將寶寶放在背部。這個位置可以幫助寶寶習慣水面。許多孩子不習慣在這個位置上，並且無法相信水。在家中練習會幫助你的孩子保持冷靜並相信水。
開始他們年輕
孩子們可以在3個月大的時候開始游泳。 DeSanders建議儘早開始使用兒童，因為這有助於他們跳過許多孩子在水中遭遇的恐懼階段。她說，在2至4歲之間，許多孩子如果沒有定期游泳課，就會體驗到對水的恐懼。年輕的時候開始上課會幫助孩子跳過這個階段，因為他們會了解水的安全性，並將他們作為一種有趣的體驗加入水中。
在5歲以前，孩子很可能無法參加獨奏課。年齡小於此的孩子的課程要求家長加入，這可讓您的孩子有機會與他們信任的人在水中。
確保游泳池具有合適的溫度
游泳池的溫度和室外的空氣對於游泳課程都很重要。德桑德斯說，當水太冷時，孩子們無法學習，他們顫抖。一般來說，游泳池應該在84至88度之間，但DeSanders喜歡讓自己的泳池保持溫暖，接近90度。
避免花車
雖然他們看起來是個好主意，但DeSanders說漂浮物 – 或者像它們一樣稱之為漂浮物 – 給水中的一種虛假的自信感。儘管由於漂浮物而無法游泳，但很多孩子習慣了更深的水。此外，他們讓你的孩子直立游泳，這是一個溺水的位置。相反，孩子們需要學會平行於水面游泳。你和孩子一起在水中游泳會更好更安全，保持他們的長度。這樣，他們習慣於正確游泳。
並非所有的游泳班都相同
做什麼游泳課對你和你的孩子最適合的研究是至關重要的。儘管讓孩子玩耍很重要，但確保課程安全包含在課程計劃中非常重要。德桑德斯說，尋找像鑽泳一樣沒有護目鏡的課程。孩子們在游泳課程中習慣了護目鏡，但在緊急情況下，孩子不太可能穿著一雙。讓您的孩子適應現實生活中的情況非常重要，這將有助於他們的游泳技能從課程轉移到日常生活中。
Signing your child up for swim classes is beneficial in many ways. Research shows swim lessons help children develop better balance and stronger movement. Plus, formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning in young children by 88 percent.
If you just signed up your child for swim lessons or are still shopping around, there are probably a million questions running through your mind. Linda DeSanders, director of the Texas Drowning Prevention Alliance, has a few helpful tips for parents interested in swim lessons.
It Starts with Bath Time
Many parents shield their child’s face from water during bath time. But a big part of swimming lessons is getting a child comfortable with water. DeSanders suggests pouring clear, not soapy, water over your child’s face in the bath. They will slowly get used to water getting into their ears and face, which will help during swim lessons.
Learn to Float
Learning to trust the water may be difficult for both the child and the parent, but the ability to lie on his or her back and float is instrumental for young swimmers. It may be scary, but DeSanders suggests putting your baby on his or her back at bath time. This position will help the baby get used to water being around their face. Many children don’t get used to being in this position and have trouble trusting the water. Practicing this at home will help your child stay calm and trust the water.
Start Them Young
Children can begin taking swim lessons as young as 3 months old. DeSanders suggests starting children early because it helps them skip the fear stage many children experience with water. She says that between the ages of 2 to 4, many children, if they haven’t taken swim lessons regularly, experience fear of the water. Beginning lessons at a young age will help your child skip this stage because they will understand water safety and associate being in the water as a fun experience.
Children most likely won’t be able to take solo lessons until they are 5 years old. Classes for kids younger than this require parents to join in, which gives your child the opportunity to be in the water with someone they trust.
Make Sure the Pool Has the Right Temperature
Both the temperature of the pool and air outside are important for swim lessons. DeSanders says kids can’t learn when the water is too cold, and they shiver. In general, a pool should be between 84 and 88 degrees, but DeSanders likes to keep her pools on the warmer side, closer to 90.
Avoid Floats
While they may seem like a good idea, DeSanders says floats—or as many call them, floaties—give a false sense of confidence in the water. Many children get used to deeper water despite not being able to swim because of floats. Plus, they make your child swim upright, which is a drowning position. Instead, children need to learn to swim parallel to the water. It’s much better and safer for you to swim in the water with your child, keeping them at arms length. This way, way they get used to swimming correctly.
Not All Swim Classes Are Alike
Doing research for what swim class works best for you and your child is crucial. While it is important for your child to have fun, making sure the class has safety included in the lesson plan is important. DeSanders says look for classes that do drills like swimming without goggles. Kids get used to having goggles during swim lessons, but in emergency situations, it is less likely your child will be wearing a pair. Getting your child used to real-life situations is important and will help their swim skills transfer from the lesson to their daily lives.
