GoSwim GoldYoung Swimmer
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This summer my daughter started summer swimming. This was a pretty laid back club, but she really did well. On Memorial day she couldn't swim 12 feet. Within 3 weeks she was doing 50's without a problem. Sure she needed some technique work, but she was doing great. And best of all, she was having so much fun and loving it. I asked her if she wanted to continue swim team over the winter and she said yes. Best of all her best friend had also decided to swim on the same winter team. She loves swimming, loves swim team and I know she'll love her first meet in a couple of weeks. On to my question...during practice she doesn't even try. She screws around swims with one arm (no it's not a drill lol), looks behind her and just kind of plays. I've tried to tell her that hard work in practice means she'll get more ribbons and do better at meets, but it doesn't seem to sink in. I'm not sure what to do, is she just being a regular 6 yr old? Should I push her (not really sure how to do that)? Any advice would be great. Thanks. |
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Adam - She is being a regular 6 year old and don't change a thing. At that age, the entire focus should be on having fun, learning some skills, and being with her friends. |
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Agreed pushing too early and taking the fun away, equals children not staying in the sport. Providing I guess she is not disrupting the rest of the class, but the coach would handle that.
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I will tell you this. What you are witnessing is COMPLETELY normal. Just wait it out. What I do in practices (I am the co-owner and Head Age Group Coach for my club) with my "little people", or my 8unders, is the expectation of behavior and attempting to do the drills correctly, without talking to the kids about speed. What will happen is that eventually, she will see something that will spark her interest and she will start asking THE questions. Things like "what do I have to do to beat Jane?" or "what do I have to do to go to Junior Olympics?" Once they start asking these questions unprovoked, then you know that she is ready to be pushed a little bit more. That is typically when I start to explain to the kids what I will expect out of them in practices...then reinforce at practice. For example, I will tell the kid (say she is a freestyler wanting to make Junior Olympics) "ok, so if you want to make JO's, we are going to have to work on A, B, and C." Then if it starts to fade in a given practice, I would then prompt her by reminding her of the times she wants to go. Bottom line, for right now, let her chase tadpoles. She will eventually grow out of it. And when she does, it will be on her terms, which means more meaningful production once she is ready. |
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