Everyone remembers his or her first dive. If you’re a parent, then you probably know that one of the most important aspects of teaching children to dive involves eliminating fear while instilling a healthy respect for safety. Striking a balance between the two is important; doing it right can ensure the children you’re involved with enjoy a lifetime of fun, safe diving.
Respect for Safety
Teaching children about safety should start early – they are never too young to learn about the importance of following rules. Start small, use words kids can understand, and be matter of fact about the process. When safety is normalized, children take it in as part of the everyday environment, and become adept at watching out for themselves. While it is important to talk about accidents, it is also important to provide examples of the correlation between specific mistakes which have been made and the outcome of the accident. It may be tempting to try to shield kids from reality, but doing so does not make them any safer.
Teaching Responsibility
Before kids are ready to learn to dive, they need to learn to be responsible. They should learn about maintaining their clothes and toys, and they should be given small tasks to complete around the house. Giving children responsibilities that are easy for them to accomplish not only teaches them that certain standards must be met; it also provides them with a greater sense of self-confidence – something that is absolutely essential to success. Be sure that your children understand that taking good care of possessions is a reward in itself, and teach them to work toward goals. Responsibility is not all about drudgery - instead, it’s a way to work toward maturity.
Eliminating Fear, One Step at a Time
Some children are much bolder than others, and it is important to understand that even a pair of identical twins may have completely different feelings about aquatic activities. Start your kids off on the right foot by exposing them to water at an early age; even if you don’t have your own swimming pool, make an effort to make family swimming time a priority by patronizing a local pool.
Make water sports fun and exciting while keeping safety and responsibility in mind. Don’t push, go step by step, and set a good example yourself. Be sure any coaches or other role models are displaying the kind of attitude that provides a positive influence.
Take the time to watch shows that highlight the experiences that can be had while diving, and teach your kids about marine life, reminding them of the importance of respect. Doing this helps to build anticipation and familiarize children with what they might encounter once they’re old enough to take their first diving lessons.
Kids as young as eight years old can learn to dive in pool environments; and they can learn to snorkel at an even younger age. Always be careful to ensure conditions are safe and be sure to monitor kids carefully any time they are in the water. Swimming and diving in a pool environment might not seem terribly exciting to you, but kids love it! Once they reach the age of ten, they’re ready to get their Junior Open Water certificates and accompany you on shallow dives.
By providing your kids with basic skills and establishing a good mindset before they are old enough to dive, you’re doing them a huge favor. All your preparations will pay off when you get to experience that first dive with your new little dive buddy!