Children seem to be blessed with an infinite supply of joy and energy. It’s no small feat though for those little muscles to power your child around the pool. Physical activity, like swimming lessons, are a fun and valuable physical activity for toddlers and kids. Keep your little swimmers feeling their best and building their swimming skills, even at home. Here are some exercises for kids you can practice together outside of the pool in between swimming lessons.
Breathing
One of the most important skills needed for swimming is good lung capacity and breath control.
For toddlers and preschoolers: Toddlers who blow bubbles and lick their lips acquire language skills earlier than those who don’t. There is a link in the ability to make complex mouth movements and the development of speech. Blowing bubbles will help strengthen those fine motor skills needed to form sounds. You can practice at home by blowing bubbles in a bubble wand, blowing out a flashlight (turn flashlight on and when child blows turn it off, repeat), or blowing on a tissue paper hanging from a string.
For school-aged children: This age is pretty good at blowing bubbles, but they tend to do it all in one big exhale. Learning breath control is an important part of good air exchange in swimming. Have them practice taking a deep breath and then slowly exhaling to the count of ten. Put a ping pong ball or a tissue on the table and try to move it from one point to another in one slow steady exhale.
Swimming Workouts at Home
Good strong kicks require pointed toes. Children aren’t always aware of what it means or feels like to kick and point their toes at the same time. Try this drill: Teach them the difference between “point” and “flex” by having them sit on the floor with their legs together and straight out in front. Show them how to point their toes and then show them how to flex their toes. Once they understand the difference, play a game where you alternate saying “point” and “flex.” You can use different tempos and speeds to make it fun.
Once your little one understands the difference in point and flex, they can practice their kicking skills on a couch or cushions on the floor. Have them lay on their stomach, stretch those legs out and point the toes. Raise one leg at a time to make sure they stay “straight as a board” and strong. Lifting legs alternately will help to strengthen leg muscles, build coordination, and develop good kicking skills. Later, have them try laying over a chair with their legs dangling. Have them kick up and down, basically swimming in midair!
Have Fun
Most importantly, between swimming lessons, have fun with your little ones. Laugh a lot and make it fun for her or him. They will be watching you to see if their swimming workouts are worth it. Be silly. Make funny faces. Do some dance moves and jumps between the activities for toddlers to relax and stretch the muscles. After the “swimming workouts,” fall on the floor for a tickle party. This will encourage your little one to want to do these swim activities more often. We’d love to answer any questions you may have. Contact us if you’d like more information on our programs and swimming lessons for kids.
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