***Advertorial blog for Puddle Ducks Doncaster***
The summer weather is here and as temperatures soar, you might be visiting a splashpark, paddling pool or swimming pool in the coming months at home, or abroad to cool off with the little ones.
We often get asked about how to safely enjoy swimming away from our classes, especially on holiday and how to help children retain and gain even more confidence during the summer break.
If you’re heading to the pool, or if you’re lucky the seaside, here are our top tips for staying safe:
First and most importantly – stay safe!
- When researching your holiday or day trip, or arriving at the destination if you haven’t yet done so, check the safety arrangements of any water-based activities and see if there is lifeguard cover.
- Swim with any children in your care – it’s more fun and you can keep them close and safe.
- Understand your swimming environment – especially how the depth changes.
- Inflatable dinghies and lilos are a well-known hazard and can easily be blown out to sea. Don’t use them in open water.
Secondly – practice!
- Do the activities and exercises you usually do in class.
- Don’t use buoyancy aids which you don’t use in class (such as arm bands) as this can confuse your child and potentially undermine their confidence. If you use them in lessons, stick to woggles.
- Don’t work too hard to progress… holidays are not the place to “push”.
- Mix periods of practice with lots of games so that your little one stays enthusiastic.
Finally – have fun and be creative!
- Play with one of our Puddle Ducks Rubber Ducks or a ball or lots of different size balls!
- Have races!
- Have splashing competitions!
- Sing your Puddle Ducks songs in the pool! Children learn through singing, games and repitition.
Other useful tips:
- Bermuda shorts are not the best swimming attire! They fill with air and cause drag, making swimming more difficult.
- A bar in the swimming pool is lots of fun when learning to swim. Keep hold of the bar and dip under the water. This helps build water confidence and gives little one’s independence.
- If you do find yourself in a difficult situation, stay calm and try to stand up if possible. Shout for help and wave your arm above your head so you can be seen.
- Keep a look out for signs and flags when out and about and teach your child the meaning of the signs to help with their understanding.
Have a great time in the sunshine and enjoy water safely!
Puddle Ducks Doncaster teach over 600 children to swim each week, from birth to 10 years old. For more information about learning to swim with Puddle Ducks Doncaster visit our website and follow our facebook page