kallikids

Now that summer is here we need to make sure that when we are in or by water we are doing so safely with our kids. We asked swimming expert Vicki Bates from the little swim school for some top tips.

'I believe that teaching water confidence and water safety including listening skills and an awareness of the dangers of water are paramount.

Children must always be supervised when in or around the water and even when children can swim or are wearing flotation aids, parents should still be vigilant.

Here are some simple water safety skills you can teach your children this summer to make sure they keep safe.

• At the swimming pool, don’t run and slip poolside.
• Don’t jump in on top of another child in the water.
• Enter the pool safely making sure younger children don’t get in without an adult being in the water and ready for them.
• If excitement has taken over and a younger child has jumped in without an adult, they should swim to the side and hold on, shout for help if needed, and climb out or along the wall if possible.
• Show children that a noodle, float or any inflatable can hold them up if they are in trouble, making sure it’s not another child they hold onto.
• Make sure kids tell you where they are going in the sea even if they can swim as the waves and sudden depth changes and catch out children and adults.
• Preferably be in the sea with your children as they have no sense of distance from the shore which can lead to even experienced swimmers panicking.
• Avoid the use of inflatable toys and beds in the sea unless you are in with your children. It is very easy for them to drift.

At the little swim school we teach water safety, water confidence and swimming skills in a fun and relaxed environment to 1 to 4 year olds. We are all fully qualified ASA teachers and offer lessons in warm private pools in Brighton and Hove, Lewes and Lower Beeding.'

Vicki Bates - the little swim school

Join KalliKids for FREE before 26th August 2013 for a chance to WIN a full term of swimming lessons for your little one.