The warm summer months are coming to an end, but at EVO’s Gilbert swim school, that doesn’t mean your child’s swimming lessons do too. In fact, we encourage continuing to train during fall and winter to help children develop long-lasting habits and build on the skills they have learned.

Here are three easy ways to help your son or daughter practice their swimming skills in the colder months so they’re ready to dive in when pool season arrives next year.

1. Train in an indoor or heated pool.

EVO was the first Gilbert swim school to offer year-round swimming lessons in an indoor pool. Many gyms, community centers, and hotels also offer indoor or heated pools so you can work on technique and underwater breathing even when it’s cold outside.

2. Practice breathing in the bathtub.

If the weather gets unbearable or you don’t have a pool nearby, the bathtub is a great place for children to work on holding their breath.

For babies: Make eye contact, count to three, blow in their eyes, and pour a little water on their face. Repeat this activity each day until the child holds its breath and doesn’t feel scared of the water.

For toddlers and older children: Let them splash or pour water on their own faces until they get comfortable with it. Then, in shallow water, have the child slowly lie down so their hair is wet and their face is above water. Gradually practice going further underwater until they can completely submerge their head for a few seconds at a time.

3. Play swimming games on dry land.

Tap into your child’s imagination by turning swimming into a fun indoor game. Have a contest to see who can hold their breath the longest, or call out the names of swimming strokes and positions while they act them out. As their technique improves, offer little rewards to encourage their hard work and show them swimming is fun.

These tips will help make the most of your investment in swimming lessons and ensure they don’t go to waste in the off-season. For more tips and information on Gilbert swim school lessons, get in touch with EVO at 480-539-2660.