Do you have children who lack confidence for conquering their fear of water?
Being confident and comfortable in the water is important because it determines the extent to which children retain what they learn while they are in the water.
Playing swimming games helps children to adjust to how differently the water in the pool may feel to them. Just remember that – as you play these games – you cannot force this process. You must give each child enough freedom to gain confidence and reach their own level of comfort at their natural pace.
Red Light, Green Light; Simon Says and Treasure Diving are popular swimming games that teach basic water safety and encourage fun.
Red Light, Green Light. Kids may already know this game from the playground so converting to a swimming game is usually easy. You simply call out “green light!” to start the child moving toward you through the water–any swim stroke they may be learning. “Red light” is the stop command so that the child has the opportunity to rest or to tread water (another critical skill.) Play this game in the pool’s shallow end or use a noodle or kickboard in deeper water if the child is capable of this. As the game progresses the child will see that they are quite easily moving around in the water and confidence will grow!
Simon Says. This is another game that is exactly as it is on the playground. You’re just doing it in the pool. “Simon says to hold your breath and put your face in the water!” “Simon says to float on your back!” “Simon says to blow bubbles!” “Simon says to hold onto the side of the pool and kick your legs!” You can absolutely have kids do any of their skills in this game. It allows for lots of variety in the water skills and movements that you can have the children practice and increase their confidence and comfort level in the water.
Treasure Diving. This is third game that is popular for sharpening swimming skills and boosting swimmer confidence. You simply scatter diving rings or pool toys in the shallow end of the pool. You want to do this where it is just deep enough for the child to be briefly submerged in order to reach the diving objects on the bottom of the pool. Time them. Give them 10 seconds to gather as many treasures as they can and then make it a competition by encouraging them to beat their own scores. It is amazing how quickly children become comfortable holding their breath underwater and gain confidence in their ability to dive and come back to the top without your help.
These are great games to play in if your child shows a lack of confidence or seems uncomfortable with any activities during swimming lessons.
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