Swim lessons mean more fun in your Virginia swimming pool

Whether you grew up around water or are new to swimming pools and swimming pool ownership, families who have pools know that before they can help their children get into the water, they have to first become comfortable with the water themselves. It is truly never too late to learn to swim, the pool contractors at Town & Country Pools explain. It may take perseverance and a lot of patience to get your children comfortable in the water, but offering loving support while they get used to it will means decades of family fun.

Plan on spending several hours, days or even weeks, getting your child comfortable in the water. The best way to get them accustomed to the water is by slowly easing them in. Swim experts explain the best way to do this is to hug your child and walk into the shallow end of the water with him. If you’re holding on to him and easing him into the water he will feel safer. Jump up and down a bit in the water, splashing your hands so your child will associate water with fun. Once he is comfortable with that, hold him under his arms and walk around the water, letting his legs float free.

After your child has become comfortable with this, take her to the side of the pool and teach her to blow bubbles. What you’re really trying to do is get her comfortable with putting her face in the water. She will likely gasp for air at first as she gets accustomed to the water in her face but with patience you should be able to bob up and down in the water with your baby in your arms and she will be able to go underwater with you.

Following the bubble blowing and underwater bobbing, you can move your child to jumping into the water by himself. Take him over to the side of the pool, stand a few feet away and hold your arms out to him and let him jump to you. Naturally, you will want to catch him so he doesn’t get afraid of the water but eventually he will want to jump to you and doggy paddle toward you.

Remember to take time with each of these steps. Don’t scare your child or it could take months or sometimes years to undo the damage that fear may have caused. While you may want to rush the getting comfortable in the water steps, it won’t do anyone any good. Plan to spend several weeks getting your baby comfortable in your swimming pool. Even after your child has become comfortable in the water, you should never leave him alone and you should keep a life jacket on hand for the times when your child just wants to float and frolic in the water. Work with  your Virginia swimming pool builders and ask if they have advice on ways to help get your children into the swim of things!