Is your toddler sick? The only thing I would worry about is the description on the swim vest. Her son used it and they loved for the same reason you stated--it did the job well. Curious toddlers and holiday swimming pools are an exhausting mix, so this UV float suit is a bit of a godsend for frazzled parents. Over 150 customers give the belt 5 out of 5 stars because kids love the flexibility they have to swim and jump safely. Thank you so much for your comment, share and votes too!! Why Do Olympic Swimmers Wear Coats Before Racing? A kickboard allows little swimmers to focus on their legwork without worrying about sinking, and we found this elite kickboard did everything well. A fin is ideal for front swimming and provides more support the further it's submerged in the water allowing it to grow with your child's abilities. We were in Target shopping believe it or not and she took me right over to one to show me. This one is a dependable, yet easy-to-use swimming aid, which has a strong rubber air-filled tube encased in brightly colored nylon. thank you so much again!! So this one was truly close to my heart and just so happy I could help others with this article. Great ideas on Swim Devices. Once the youngster becomes more confident afloat and starts bragging with those kicking feet and clapping hands on the surface of the water, he's now ready to face new challenges. One recommendation I give parents is to look for coast guard approved flotation devices, like a puddle jumper. Swimming is an essential life skill that stays with children well into adulthood, but learning takes time and perseverance so anything that makes the process more enjoyable is a huge plus. Anyway she explained what they were, now I really understand. That means theyre a great option for travel if you want to add an element of play in the holiday swimming pool. LensMan999 from Trans-Neptunian region on June 23, 2013: The swim devices mentioned in the hub sounds quite safe for the kids. I also have never and will never recommend arm bands or water wings. Glad this helps you with your own children and thank you for stopping by, commenting and your kindness, too!! He pretty much threw me right back in so that I would not ever have a chance to let it traumatize me or keep me from going back in the water. It permits the toddler to paddle freely, float upright, and practice front or back swimming. I literally tried them on Emma and took them off as quickly as I put them on. Janine Huldie (author) from New York, New York on November 11, 2016: Happy to share and very much agree about supervision being key, as well, too. The dive sticks sink to the bottom as they gradually fill with water, creating a fun underwater game while teaching little ones to swim or at least be confident beneath the water. With a zippered front, waist belts, and leg strap you can get the perfect fit for your little one. But, I think I have given a nice range of swim flotation devices to that can be tried and used by pre-schoolers. All of us were able to relax, enjoy, and have fun. Thanks again and totally appreciate all your continued support from you!!! Tricycles are great for kids because it gets them outside and moving. There are no scratchy plastic seams, so they feel much nicer to wear than normal armbands. I have tried a few different products out there to keep my girls safe in the pool and will share them with you here. the fact that you have tried and tested some of them and reviewed them in detail is what makes this truly detailed. Janine Huldie (author) from New York, New York on October 30, 2013: Mel, so glad I could help and seriously know when my girls were this age (when I wrote this almost a year and half ago), I couldn't find anything that gave a concise list with explanations. It takes a bit of time to get the right fit, but once its on properly, it allows them total freedom to move their arms and legs while keeping them afloat in the water. For the child who has a bit more of confidence while in the pool, I suggest Speedo Begin-to-Swim fabric armbands. Thankfully, with eight grandchildren at the pool, we were quickly able to compare and contrast the different devices and floaties. Thanks for a great post about water safety. These armbands are designed for kids weighing from 15kg to 30kg, and they fit our seven-year-old tester well. Just in time for summer. IT was the last one they had out and it was pink. Mary Hyatt from Florida on August 02, 2012: Great Hub with good info. For kids weighing between 30 to 50 lbs and costs about $30, Recommended for use in pools and calm lakes, Loved by parents because it keeps their kids upright in the water and the arm pieces allow for free movement while keeping the child secured. SwimFins are recommended for kids ages 18 months and older who display cues like bobbing, paddling, splashing, and long leg kicks. I've also become familiar with a few other devices thanks to my nieces and nephews. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Great advice and very well done. Some new parents may be on the fence about making the purchase of the Owlet Smart Sock because of the price. Beyond simply staying afloat, theres a raft of fun accessories designed to encourage further development in the water from kickboards that allow little swimmers to focus on technique, to diving toys that encourage them to hone their skills underwater. I really recommend these because they really did just add that extra level of water safety for both my girls at such a young age during the summer, and really helped both me and my husband feel more comfortable with our girls in the water. Chlorine can contribute to the wear-and-tear of the products. Janine Huldie (author) from New York, New York on June 23, 2013: Totally my pleasure in sharing. Thank you so much for stopping by and for commenting too. All rights reserved. So I bought and was very impressed especially that it can be worn on the beach, because it is coast guard approved. Fortunately, I swamand well enough to represent the school team later! very useful hub Janine, my youngest is just about graduating from armbands.. these devices are ace. Building your child's confidence in the water is your number one goal in teaching him how to swim and the best swim aid for any toddler is an adult swim buddy. We found our non-swimmer testers confidence improved most quickly in this buoyancy aid, perhaps because she found it brilliant fun to wear while pretending to be a shark. Such devices will give me more inspiration to send my kids play in water. When I was young, my dad THREW me into the deep end of the pool to get me to swim. It also means their arms are totally free to splash around, and our fussy tester took to wearing hers very quickly both at the pool and on the beach. Lily, on the other hand, is afraid of her own shadow. Start with this top 10 list of classics that both you and your child will love. Whereas my 3 year old uses and loves the Speedo Arm Bands and is a fish in the water, so these really have been her best friend this past summer. I have either used the below devices on my own children or seen my many nieces and nephews use them. Proper assessment of the child's abilities is important when selecting swimming equipment. We also tried the Speedo vest with my 3 year old, but she prefers the arm bands. Lots of good ideas for keeping kids safe. Helping toddlers learn how to swim doesn't solely rely on swimming aids. It also allows for freedom of movement, allowing your child to float in an upright or swimming position on his or her front or back. Blurter of Indiscretions from Clinton CT on August 02, 2012: This is so helpful! we have enrolled her in toddler swim classes. A review of the Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double Stroller DX. Parents should be very responsible when taking their kids to a pool or the beach. These gustav swim fins manage to be both practical and stylish, available in this whale blue or a Tuscany rose. These innovative ways to help your baby sleep can make a difference in the amount of quiet time you have! Life Jacket Advisor recommends this brand in their Best Toddler Flotation Devices because the size options are 1 to 2 years, which fits 24 to 33 pounds, or 2 to 4 years, which fits 33 to 66 pounds. Janine Huldie (author) from New York, New York on July 25, 2012: Joseph, I can' t thank you enough for your thoughtful words here about my writing and me too. We just had another one last week. Janine Huldie (author) from New York, New York on July 24, 2012: Josh, thank you so much for saying such nice things here. Even so, the vest is still a great product and worth looking into if you wanted more of a vest type product for your child. I do hope I gave you some much needed food for thought for this swim season as far as swim safety for your child. Your blog was extremely helpful & I am very grateful for your advice! Thank you so much for all your input, votes and shares too!! My daughter is 5 years old and autistic. This device will give your little one a bit of extra support with a tube-like effect as well. Children for Children lists this fun option in their Top 10 Best Life Jackets for Kids because of its durability, cute designs, adjustable fit, and comfortable fit. Want to get your kid a tricycle, but now sure which one to purchase? This one is made for kids between 30 and 50 pounds and is made of soft, but durable and comfortable polyester. Many aquatic facilities have banned these devices because they do no assist in keeping the nose and mouth of young swimmers out of the water. The armbands give just enough flotation for the wearer to feel comfortable as he or she learns to swim. If it's the child's first time in the water, start familiarizing them in shallow water. Its adjustable belt is made for kids from 3 to 12 years old with a waist up to 32 inches and a weight of up to 95 lbs. The Tot Trainer Inflatable Rubber Tube Swim Aid with Swim Strap ensures a secure fit and is said to be made of heavy-duty nylon construction. As I sit here in my hotel room waiting for miss 18 months to wake from her nap, I am researching floatations devices for husband to buy right now while I wait. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, 8 best swimming aids for toddlers and young children for pool-time fun, Paraben and sulphate free shampoo & conditioner, Sustainable and organic kids' clothing brands. Many other devices don't allow back floating which is the most effective water proofing tool you can teach a tiny kid. This vest offers children who are just starting to learn to swim full flotation support. I literally seem to come up with ideas and jot down notes everywhere now! Additionally, Lee mentions that any 4 year old can be taught how to swim.sure, I agree but what about the kids less than 4 years old and still going to swim school? Best of all, it's Coast Guard approved, meaning that your kid can wear it on the beach. By clicking Register you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to ourTerms of use,Cookie policyandPrivacy notice. great information. Helping us feel more comfortable with our girls in the water. I saw a child wearing a puddle jumper the other day and found it did the job well. The pro ball isnt strictly a swim aid its a very cool ball that bounces on water. My final note would be a child in a floatation device is a non-swimmer. I wanted to try to find the best swim safety products out there for them and then when I found them, thought I could share here, too!! As the mom of two small kids, who are only 16 months apart, I have my work cut out for me trying to keep them both happy and safe in the summertime. Slide them on the child's arms, ideally two discs per arm and then wean him to one disc until he can swim by himself. Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on August 02, 2012: I just saw my first ever puddle jumper thanks to your hub! My grand daughter has one and she is learning to be comfortable on her back in the water. Also known as body belts, these floatation devices are great for toddlers learning to swim because their range of motion isn't restricted by arm bands. When a toddler feels he can reach the ground with his feet, the feeling of fear goes away. Nithya Venkat from Dubai on July 26, 2012: Very useful information. The Splash About Float Suit can provide buoyancy with less restriction than other swim aids, but know that it doesn't come with the U.S. Coast Guard seal of approval.