As a swimming coach, I’ve always been fascinated by the ways we can help children learn and grow, not just in the pool but in life. And, in fact, there are strategies to teaching swimming that we can use with children.

One book that has profoundly influenced my approach is “The Whole-Brain Child” by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson.

This insightful book offers 12 strategies to nurture a child’s developing mind, and many of these can be seamlessly integrated into teaching swimming.

Let’s dive into how some of these strategies can make a splash in swimming lessons for young kids.

Strategy 1: connect and redirect

One of the key strategies to teaching swimming that we can take from “The Whole-Brain Child” is Connect and Redirect.

This involves connecting with a child’s emotional state before trying to redirect their behaviour. In the context of swimming lessons, this can be incredibly useful. 

Imagine a child is anxious about getting into the water. Instead of immediately insisting they jump in, take a moment to acknowledge their feelings.

Say something like, “I can see you’re feeling a bit scared about getting into the pool. It’s okay to feel that way.”

Once you’ve connected with their emotions, you can gently redirect them by suggesting, “How about we start by sitting on the edge and dipping our toes in together?”

Strategy 2: name it to tame it

“Name It to Tame It” one of the strategies to teaching swimming that you can apply. When children are overwhelmed by their emotions, simply naming what they’re feeling can help them gain control. 

In swimming lessons, if a child is frustrated because they can’t master a particular stroke, encourage them to express their feelings.

You might say, “It looks like you’re feeling frustrated because the backstroke is tricky. Let’s take a deep breath and try again together.”

By naming the emotion, you help the child feel understood and more capable of tackling the challenge.

Strategy 3: engage, don’t enrage

“Engage, Don’t Enrage” is about engaging a child’s upstairs brain — the part responsible for reasoning and problem-solving — rather than triggering their downstairs brain, which controls basic instincts and emotions.

During swimming lessons, it’s easy to become frustrated if a child isn’t following instructions. Instead of raising your voice or showing impatience, try to use one of the strategies to teaching swimming: engage their upstairs brain.

Ask questions like, “What do you think we can do to make this easier?” or “Can you show me how you think we should do this?” This approach encourages them to think and problem-solve, rather than react emotionally.

Strategy 4: use the remote of the mind

The “Remote of the Mind” strategy involves helping children replay and process their experiences, much like using a remote control to rewind, pause, and fast-forward through a movie.

After a swimming lesson, take a few minutes to review what happened. Ask the child to describe their favourite part of the lesson and any challenges they faced.

For example, “What was the best part of today’s lesson? Was there anything that was hard for you?” This helps them process their experiences and learn from them, reinforcing positive memories and addressing any difficulties.

Strategy 5: SIFT — Sensations, Images, Feelings, and Thoughts

“SIFT” is a strategy that encourages children to explore their inner experiences by identifying their sensations, images, feelings, and thoughts.

In the pool, you can use this strategy to help children become more aware of their bodies and emotions.

Ask questions like, “How does the water feel on your skin?” or “What are you thinking about when you swim?”

This mindfulness can help them become more in tune with their movements and emotions, leading to a more enjoyable and effective learning experience.

Strategy 6: connect through play

Finally, “Connect Through Play” is one of the strategies to teaching swimming which emphasises the importance of play in learning and bonding.

Swimming lessons can be a perfect opportunity for playful learning. Incorporate games and fun activities into your lessons to keep children engaged and excited.

For instance, you can play “Simon Says” with swimming commands or have a race to see who can collect the most pool toys. Playful interactions not only make learning enjoyable but also strengthen the bond between coach and student.

Making a splash with these strategies to teaching swimming

“The Whole-Brain Child” offers invaluable insights into how we can better understand and support children’s development.

By integrating these strategies into swimming lessons, we can create a nurturing and effective learning environment. 

Whether it’s connecting with a child’s emotions, engaging their problem-solving skills, or incorporating play into lessons, these approaches can help young swimmers not only improve their skills but also develop a love for the water.

So, the next time you’re at the pool, remember these whole-brain strategies and watch your young swimmers thrive.