Top Mistakes Parents Make When Teaching Swimming at Home

Introduction

Every kid should learn how to swim because it’s a useful skill. It keeps kids safe in and around water and helps them get stronger, more confident, and love being active. A lot of parents desire to help their kids learn at home, maybe in the backyard pool, during bath time, or on vacation. This is a terrific approach to help kids feel more comfortable in the water, but there are some mistakes that are easy to do that can put kids at risk or hinder their growth.

A lot of the time, families who come to Penguin Swim School have tried to teach their kids how to swim at home but end up with kids who have bad habits, are afraid of the water, or even do things that are dangerous. We’ll talk about the most common mistakes parents make when teaching their kids to swim at home and how to avoid them in this article.

1. Not learning the basics of water safety

One of the worst things you can do is leap right into “swimming” without first educating them how to be safe in the water. Parents may be eager to teach their kids how to kick or paddle, but they could fail to teach them basic safety principles like:

Never going into the pool without an adult.

First, learn how to float and blow bubbles.

Knowing where the shallow and deep parts are.

Kids who don’t learn to put safety first could think they are too sure of themselves. This can be harmful, especially when they’re near pools, lakes, or the ocean. Always start by teaching people to respect water.

2. Not Teaching Kids How to Float Early

A lot of parents hurry to teach their kids how to “swim strokes,” like the front crawl or the doggy paddle. The concern is that if a child doesn’t know how to float on their back, they could freak out if they grow exhausted or swallow water.

Being able to float can save your life. We always teach kids at Penguin Swim School to roll onto their backs and float comfortably before we show them how to swim. If you’re educating your child at home, tell them to lie on their back and trust the water. This will help them stay safe and calm when things go wrong.

3. Holding kids too much

A lot of the time, parents wish to help their kids by holding them under the arms or around the waist. This may seem safe, but it can actually impede kids from learning how to be independent in the water.

If you always hold a youngster up, they won’t learn how to move their body in water. This makes it tougher for them to kick, float, or balance later on. Instead, use floats, noodles, or a kickboard to help them gently. Slowly step back so kids can learn to trust themselves.

4. Making Progress Too Quickly

Every child learns at their own speed. Some kids will gladly splash and kick from the start, while others can take weeks to even put their face in the water. A lot of people make the mistake of pushing kids too hard and expecting them to swim across the pool after just a few lessons.

When kids experience pressure, they typically get scared or fight back. Instead, celebrate minor wins like blowing bubbles, kicking with a float, or floating for a few seconds. To make progress, you need to be patient, get support, and have fun.

5. Always Wearing Arm Bands

Kids like arm bands, also called “water wings,” because they keep them afloat. But depending on them too much can lead to issues. When kids wear arm bands, they generally hold their arms stiffly, which makes it harder for them to master natural strokes later.

Instead of always utilising arm bands, consider other things like pool noodles, floats, or even practicing in extremely shallow water. We at Penguin Swim School want to help kids learn genuine skills, not merely float around on inflatables.

6. Not Making Swimming Fun

Some parents at home focus too much on technique, telling their kids things like “Kick harder!” or “Put your head down!” Kids learn best when swimming is entertaining, even if technique is vital.

Learning is fun when you play games like “blow the bubbles,” “fetch the toy from underwater,” or “who can float the longest.” Kids that like being in the water want to learn more and get better on their own.

7. Not Paying Attention to Breathing Skills

Not teaching breathing early is another typical mistake. Parents may instruct their kids how to kick or paddle, but they may not remember to teach them how to blow bubbles or breathe underwater.

Kids who don’t learn how to breathe properly could hold their breath for too long, swallow water, or get scared. Just humming under water or blowing bubbles through a straw can make a big effect.

8. Too much faith in water

Kids might sometimes get too sure of themselves too quickly. Parents may feel proud when their child dives in without fear, but having confidence without control can be dangerous.

Kids need to learn how to respect water, not simply how to be brave. Teach children to always ask before they go into the pool and to never swim alone. We teach kids at Penguin Swim School how to be responsible and confident at the same time.

9. Not Asking for Help from a Professional

A lot of parents believe they can teach their kids how to swim at home. It’s great to start with water play and building confidence, but you need to have experience to teach comprehensive swimming abilities.

Trained teachers know how to:

Correct body position and technique.

Protect kids while also helping them become more independent.

Make a planned path from simple water play to strong swimming strokes.

Your youngster may establish habits that are hard to break later if they solely practice at home. A few lessons from a pro can make a big difference.

10. Expecting too much from little pools

You can splash and play in garden pools and hotel pools on vacation, but they have boundaries. They are typically too tiny or too shallow for kids to practice swimming distances or full strokes.

This can make you think you’re making progress when you’re not. Your child may look sure of themselves in the little pool, but they may not be able to swim well in a real pool. You can have fun and play in your home pool, but you need a bigger, safer place to practice.

11. Not Watching Over Safety

One of the worst things you can do is think that kids are “safe enough” once they can splash around. Drowning can happen in seconds, even in shallow water, and it doesn’t make any noise.

Parents should never leave their kids alone, even for a short time. Always keep an eye on them and stay close. The rule should be: if your kid is in the water, you should be too.

Final Thoughts

It’s a great gift to teach your child to like water. You can do a lot at home to help your child gain confidence, learn about safety, and learn basic skills. But to make swimming safe and fun, you need to avoid these typical blunders.

Keep in mind that you should start with water safety, go at your child’s pace, make it fun, and get professional help when you can. We at Penguin Swim School want to help kids become safe, confident, and talented swimmers for life.