Learn to Swim: Step-By-Step Water Confidence and Safety Skills for Babies and Young Children

by Rob McKay

Learn to Swim guides parents of babies and children from ages 6 months to 4 years, through progressive, baby-friendly lessons that not only build confidence and help control sleeping problems and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0756609550
• ISBN13: 9780756609559
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.6" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Insightful book speaks volumes

Learn to Swim is an amazing resource for nurturing parents who love spending family time with their children. The authors, Rob and Kathy McKay, are world renowned for their gentle teaching methods, curriculum and caring philosophy. Learn to Swim not only shows you how to teach your infant and toddler how to swim, but also how to skillfully and gently guide your child through subtle ages and stages. If you are looking for aggressive survival back float, this is not the book for you. If you are going to ignore your child's feelings or force skills on your child before they are ready, this is not the book for you.This book is a perfect choice for parents who wish to honor their child, engage them in play and share with them as a family the joys of learning to swim, and enjoying the water for a lifetime. We love this book, it's practical, step by step guidance and positive message. Read between the lines... this book speaks volumes not only about swimming but about parenting, mutual respect and eventually gaining safety skills in a appropriate, sane and sensible manner.

Step by Step process

This book goes in-depth into teaching your child to swim. It builds confidence in your child as well as teaching him/her survival skills. The approach is child-centered, not "sink-or-swim" methods. I would recommend this book if you have a newborn (four months) or an older child (5-6 years old) getting a late start on swimming.

Excellent Book!

The photos and graphics in this book (learn to SWIM) are by far the best I have ever seen in this type of book. The pictures look like they were taken by a National Geographic Photographer! While this is typical Rob and Kathy McKay instruction I especially like the way they give tips and techniques for each age group of new swimmer (from 6 months to 4 years old). I have found all of Rob and Kathy McKay's products (including videos, book, and instruction) to be the best on the market for teaching babies and young children to swim and ENJOY the water safely. It is no wonder that Rob McKay was twice recognized at the International Swimming Hall of Fame "for outstanding contribution to Aquatic Safety," and as the person who "best exemplifies the teaching philosophy of Virginia Hunt Newman." For those of you who don't know Virginia Hunt Newman, she is considered the "mother of infant swimming" and is a pioneering advocate of the gentle, positive approach to teaching babies to swim.

Great Approach and Ideas

I am very pleased and have tested it out right away! You can tell the writers are experience. I also liked the way they speak not only about swimming but about the child! Their philosophy can be applied to most everything that you may want to teach your little one. My 10 month old has defenetively benefited from me reading this book. Thanks

A guide for LIFE!!!

I love this book, and I love the program the Mc Kay's have created. I was searching for a friendly way to teach my then 8 month old daughter to swim. Unhappy with the forceful survival swim lessons offered in my area, I searched the web and came across the Mc Kay's website babyswimming.com I purchased the videos, diaper dolphins, and then this book, when it came out. What you will find in this book is not just a learn to swim guide, but a way of life, and a guide to parenting through love and play. My daughter, now five and Autistic is a product of Diaper Dolphins and the Learn to swim book, and has been completely independent in the water for 3 years, and LOVES swimming. We started the methods with her 2 year old brother when he was about 10 months, and he too is close (he's only been in the water 2 times since last summer) to being an independent swimmer and enjoys the water very much. Now With baby number 3, (just 3 months old) I can hardly wait to get her in the pool and let her experience joy through swimming! For now, we are sticking with playing in the bath:) I must tell you, I am not a great swimmer and never loved the water and was very uncomfortable handling my children in the water, but by reading the books and studying the videos it has become second nature. I look forward to summer and lots of family nights at the pool spending quality time with my kids. A HUGE thanks to the Mc Kays...they are truly amazing:)