Baby’s and Toddler’s First Pool Visit
Is your little one finally ready for the pool this summer? That first visit is the best time to start off on the right foot with safe habits and to help them prevent fear (so they can learn to swim much more easily later). Here are four tips to help both you and them stay safe while also starting good habits to make learning to swim easier later.
Hold off on a Lifejacket
Lifejackets are not for learning to swim. And since babies, toddlers, and non-swimmers need something called touch supervision, where a trusted adult is keeping them in arms reach the whole time. For this reason, floatation devices aren’t really necessary. For your babies first pool visit, the safest place for them is in your arms.
*Want some input while deciding about whether lifejackets are right for your family? Check out my post here, All About Lifejackets in the Pool
Never Let Them Near Water Without You
As someone who’s pretty knowable about water safety, my biggest pet peeve when watching families swim is seeing parents set their kids down at the edge of the pool to wait for the adults to get ready. Please don’t do this. Not only is it dangerous to have an unsupervised child near water, but it also teaches your little one that it’s okay to get close to the pool without a grownup. Instead, make them wait where you can see them or with another adult while you get situated.
Create a Routine Around Getting in the Pool
Once you and your little one are ready to enter the water, start a routine to make sure they do so safely. This will lessen the chances of your child entering the water unsupervised. Your routine can look something like this:
- The adult always gets in first
- High five or special handshake (until they are developmentally able to ask permission—then they should be doing that instead)
- Invite them in
- Help them climb down the stairs safely, backwards, just like they would in the house,
Introduce a Few Basic Water Skills
Use this time to introduce some basic skills that build water comfort and safety. Check them out here. Remember the first pool visit should end on a positive note, so just spend a few minutes practicing some fun skills and wrap up before they are ready to be done.