by Teresa Lundberg,
Family Support Council of Douglas County
Special to The R-C
Every parent's No. 1 concern is for their child to be healthy, happy and safe. And with summer in full swing, the water is the place to be for kids but there are a few tips to keep in mind while having a splashing good time.
If your child is between the ages of 6 and 18 months, they are probably just learning the basics while becoming familiar with the water. A great way to get baby comfortable in the pool or lake is to explore the water together by taking a swim class. They'll master floating and blowing bubbles, and you'll get to cool off and don't forget the swim diapers.
For a child that is between 18 months and 3 years old, arm motions and kicking as well as holding their breath are the water skills to conquer. These can be practiced by having your child retrieving submerged toys in a baby pool or the shallow end. Also tossing a floating toy and having your toddler reach for it teaches basic arm motions. But remember that while your toddler's more independent, they should always be kept within arms reach, and swim classes should be attended together.
By 3 to 5 years, your child can learn to float on their front and back, roll from side to side, and use their arms and legs to tread water and propel themselves. Follow the leader is a great way to help your child practice skills like blowing buckles while kicking. Playing Red Light, Green Light while your child hangs onto the edge of the pool and kicks, works on their swimming and listening skills.
If you're considering swimming lessons, this is an age when they can go solo, but talk about it ahead of time and select a class with no more than six children per instructor.
At 5 years and older, children will begin to piece together arm motions and kicking to begin actual swim strokes, as well as jumping and diving into the pool. Filling colorful plastic eggs with pennies, then having your child swim down to retrieve them, and practicing gliding skills by "blasting off" the sides of the pool also encourage vital swimming skills.
There are some water safety essentials to remember for all ages to keep your child safe while having a good time. At the pool, make sure a lifeguard is on duty, but still stay close enough to your child so you could grab them at a moment's notice.
When at the beach, obey lifeguard warnings and signs. Swim with your kids, always keep to the deeper side of them. And to keep your child's sensitive skin from burning, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 reapplied every two hours or after going into the water. And remember, no running by the pool!
