How can I help our children with their swimming skills over summer?

How Can We Help Our Children Improve Their Swimming Skills Over Summer?

Play!
At the stage most of our swimmers are at – especially in a 10m pool – the best thing you can do is simply let them play. The more time children spend having fun and exploring in the water, the more comfortable and confident they become.

If we try to get them to “do your arm circles” or “kick on your back,” chances are they’ll practise it incorrectly. Our swimming lessons are effective because we focus on short bursts of correct technique, with constant individual feedback to help children build proper motor skills. Swimming is complex, and when children repeat movements incorrectly, they can easily form habits that are hard to unlearn.

So, the most valuable thing you can do over summer is encourage play. Play helps children naturally discover how their bodies move in the water. Here’s how:

• Jumping and dipping – Moving in and out of the water helps children develop a comfortable relationship between their mouths and the water. This is essential for freestyle breathing, which can feel vulnerable and unsettling at first. When a child is relaxed with water around their mouth and face, they’re much more prepared for this challenging stage of learning.

• Handstands – Great for building breath control and body awareness, and an excellent stepping stone towards learning tumble turns.

• Forward rolls – A natural progression from handstands, further developing the skills needed for tumble turns.

• Floating shapes – Encourage them to float in as many positions as possible. This helps children learn how to balance and relax in the water. Remember: relaxed muscles float, tense muscles sink. Once swimmers can balance easily, their arms and legs can focus purely on propulsion.

So this summer, jump in, play, and enjoy the water with your kids!
Have fun, stay safe, and let their confidence grow naturally.