One of your main goals is to help your child continually build a sense of independence in the water. Get him to become more active by kicking his legs, for example. I always like to tell my young students to flutter kick to make popcorn. The faster they kick the more bubbles they make. Children are usually inspired by this concept, and feel great when they can make a bowl of popcorn.
Have fun
Finally, and most importantly, make sure your child (as well as yourself!) has fun in the water. Swimming not only develops physical coordination, but it can greatly enhance a young child’s self-esteem and social skills. If your child does not seem to like a particular task, quickly switch to another one. Mix up the routine, introduce water games, and make everything dynamic, constantly encouraging him to try new “adventures” in the water.
Be patient
Teaching young children to swim can be frustrating if you expect immediate results. But remember, they have a long time to improve their abilities. Rather than preparing them to join a swim team, focus instead on getting them water safe and enhancing their confidence and independence in the water. This process may take weeks, even months, but the rewards of swimming will last them a lifetime.