Create a Positive Experience in the Water While Learning to Swim

“In order to give children a life long positive relationship with water, you should lay the foundations for successfully learning to swim early on.”

Swim season is upon us and children of all ages will want to get wet! B loves water. He loves to splash, soak, and float.  The first time I took him in a pool was last summer and he was in one of those Coast Guard approved live jackets- not exactly the easiest thing to see or move around in. The Fred’s SwimTrainer Classic is perfect for him because he doesn’t know how to swim at all.

The red SWIMTRAINER “Classic” is used for early habituation with the water and for learning the correct leg movements. This SWIMTRAINER “Classic” is designed for babies and toddlers of an approximate weight from 13lbs to 40lbs and is suited for beginners. Fred’s offers different sizes of SwimTrainers for bigger children, too, up to 80lbs.

I was impressed with all the compartments that need air, but it was fairly simple to blow up on the walk to the pool. When we got to the pool, I put on sunblock and then the SwimTrainer. He didn’t mind it at all, and was curious about what it was I was strapping on him. We walked over to the pool, which was a little tricky for him because he couldn’t see his feet! So when your child is out of the water, make sure the SwimTrainer is removed.

Once I got him in the water I helped him to lean forward and just let him get used to the position and the water. He started kicking on his own almost immediately!

Babies are born with the “frog reflex” and though it’s mostly lost when the child learns to walk, it can come back to them. The SwimTrainer frees your hands so you can hold your child’s feet and guide their legs to kick in the “frog style”.

It was so cool to see B learning to swim before my very eyes and knowing he was safe in the Fred’s SwimTrainer gave me peace of mind. I took his hands and got him to reach around the float so he could get some arm movement too. He was loving kicking and swimming! I can’t wait to take him in the pool again and build on these skills that are sure to help him for the rest of his life.

Watch this video that I took of B learning to swim with the Fred’s SwimTrainer!

Disclosure of Material Connection:  The above mentioned product was received for free in hopes that I would mention it on Mommy of Two Little Monkeys. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Your experience with the product may differ from mine. For more information read my disclosure policy.