The Best Learn to Swim Devices

Choosing a learn-to-swim device for your child is a hard decision. There is so much information out there, but so much of it comes from companies that are trying to sell a product. So as a swim instructor, here are the best things you can use to teach your little one to swim.

Safety

For safety, the best flotation device for your child is learning to swim. Most incidents happen outside of swim time (i.e. when a child would not have any flotation device on them) so choosing something that is with them always—safety skills—is the best option.

So what is the best learn-to-swim device for safety? Being held by a trusted adult. If you need additional security, a lifejacket isn’t the end of the world. Just make that decision knowing that a life jacket is not a learn-to-swim device, and will likely delay your child from learning the safety skills needed in the pool.

Comfort

Comfort in the water is key. It is the foundation of safety and learning to swim. And being relaxed in and around water includes water includes water on the face and head. If your little one is uncomfortable with this, spend some time practicing.

So what swimming aid will teach comfort in the water? A cup or a watering can. Allowing your little one to get comfortable with the water on their face is the best way to teach them to be relaxed in and around water.

Convenience

Learning to swim takes time, consistent practice, and dedication. Spending time in the water is the best way to do this, so a learn-to-swim device that allows your little one some extra practice in the water is best.

So what learn-to-swim device is the most convenient? The bathtub. Your child is in there at least a few times a week, and this is a great opportunity for practice without adding another thing to your busy schedule.

While life vests, baby seats and swim trainers may all be advertised as the best learn-to-swim devices or swim aids, please don’t fall for the marketing. The best learn-to-swim devices are a good old-fashioned trusted adult, a cup, and the bathtub.

Are you nervous about forgoing the life vests or flotation devices in the water? Here are a few key points to make you feel better.

My child is heavy; I can’t hold them in the water. Skipping the physics lesson, but water will make everything feel lighter. If your child feels too heavy, even in the pool, you are probably holding them out of the water instead of in it. Try lowering them down and letting the water help you.

My child feels more confident with a life vest on. Yes, but this is the danger of lifejackets. Kids should not be confident in the water until they have the skills to back it up. Teach them to be realistically confident by knowing both their abilities and their limitations.

Everyone else wears one. I’m going to channel my mother here and share her favorite response, “if everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?” Just because others do it does not mean you need to also. What other people do has no bearing on what you decide is best for your child.

If you still feel uncomfortable, that’s okay. I think that swimming with a lifejacket is better than never swimming at all. Just follow the same safety steps when swimming both with a life jacket and without. And whenever possible, give your child the opportunity to try without the flotation.