NewsLocal News

Actions

Swimming lessons at home

Posted at 8:47 AM, May 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-29 08:47:07-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — May is Water Safety Awareness Month. Families need to be water smart-- teaching kids how to swim, talking about the rules, and being safe. We can't go to swimming lessons right now. You can still work with kids to get them comfortable in the water.

The four bs, balance, buoyancy, body position, and breathing. The main concepts for how Heidi Lunden owner of Michael Phelps Swimming School likes to teach kids how to swim.

"We are going to make it fun, play some games, make them splash the idea is to meet the child on their comfort level," Lunden said.

Lunden says it's essential to first talk about safety.
Then she says to get into the pool with a child and demonstrate what you are looking for them to do. Blow bubbles in the water, put your face in the water, and show your child what to do.

She says to do a lot of kicking, floating, and above water activities first and then move on to dunking underwater.
It can be intimidating for some, Lunden says to ask kids to put their face in the water gradually.

"First, I'll have them get their chin wet. Can you get your lips wet, then i'll say when the last time you gave your nose a bath," Lunden said.

Learning to blow out from your nose can be challenging. To have kids not get in the habit of holding their nose Lunden says to have kids hum while underwater.

"Put goggles on and go under with them and take a look and see how they are doing, and pick them up super fast and celebrate every time they get their face wet," Lunden said.

Michael Phelps Swimming School cannot open until Phase 4, at the earliest July 1st. Lunden says she is preparing to open with spaced out seating for parents to watch but says only private lessons will be available and no group classes.