By Summer Minor, a mom first and foremost, but also a consultant writer for a baby clothes boutique

Learning how to swim can be a fun and exciting time. Seeing them in a cute baby bathing suit, makes you want to rush to the pool or beach. But, it can also be frustrating and nerve-wracking, for the parents and the children. When teaching a toddler to swim it can be even more challenging. Here are ten simple tips for parents to know when they begin swimming lessons for their toddlers.

Prepare yourself

• This means being CPR certified in case of emergencies. No parent wants to imagine the worst happening, but when water and toddlers mix it is too often the case. Knowing what to do before a tragedy happens will make the entire experience safer for everyone.
• And don’t forget the sun protection and sun hat - nothing ruins a time at the pool than a bad sunburn.
• Plan in advance

• Toddlers can become frustrated, tired, and cranky very easily. Plan for the right day, and the right time of day, to begin lessons. If it is too hot outside, or your toddler is tired or hungry, teaching your toddler to swim is not likely to go well. Be sure that you have sunscreen, child-sized flotation devices, and plenty of water to drink on hand.

Go Slowly

• Begin by letting your toddler play in shallow pools of water, or linger on the steps into deeper water. Even a water loving toddler can be intimidated by swimming in a larger pool. Be prepared to spend several days just letting your toddler feel comfortable with the size of the swimming pool.

Start with the basics

• Blowing bubbles into the water is how many toddlers become introduced to swimming. Show your toddler how to take a deep breath and blow bubbles into the water. This can be scary the first few times for toddlers, so be prepared for lots of stops and starts. Practice kicking and floating in between blowing bubbles.

Give rides

• There is no better break from learning the fundamentals of swimming than a ride through the water on mom or dad’s back. The secret is that while this is a lot of fun, it also helps your toddler be more comfortable with being in the water. Have your toddler hold on tight as you move through deeper water that comes to your toddler’s chest. This will help lessen the fear for future swimming lessons.

Toddlers can have a lot of fun in the pool, whether a at a large public one or a smaller home pool. When having fun moves into swimming it can be a scary time. By being prepared, going slowly, and keeping things fun, you can teach your toddler to swim happily.

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