Swimming is an excellent exercise. Here are some tips on how to teach your child to swim:

Take your child to the pool with you. Let him play around in the water even if he can't swim. In this manner, he will get used to the pool. A lot of children are scared of water. The more your child plays in the pool, the easier it will be for him to get over this fear. 

Don't push your child too hard. If he is frightened and wants to hold on to you, don't force him to swim on his own. This will only increase his dislike for the pool. 

Let your child start slowly. The first thing your child should learn is floating in the water. Let him float with support, by holding on to the edge of the pool. He should spread his body straight out behind him, and kick his legs. Help him by holding his legs for him initially. Then, when he gets used to the position, leave his legs. 

He should immerse his head in the water. His body should be stretched straight. Slowly, he will be able to float without kicking his legs. 

Once he has achieved this, encourage him to float without support, with head underwater, hands stretched out over his head and legs straight together. Be close to him so he doesn't feel insecure in the water, and
knows that he can grab on to you if he needs to. 

In order for your child to float, he has to take a deep breath and immerse his head underwater. When a person takes a deep breath, his body becomes lighter than water and he is able to float. 

Make sure that your child never swims alone. There should always be someone with him, even when he learns swimming. There should be a lifeguard watching over the pool. If this facility is not available in your local clubhouse, see if you can get it implemented. Even an experienced swimmer may suffer from a sudden cramp, rendering it difficult for him to continue swimming. Thus, its best that one is not alone in a pool, unless the pool is shallow. 

Your child should never pretend that he's drowning, even as a joke. Remember the tale of the dog that cried wolf once too often! Though swimming is an excellent exercise, it should be done carefully. Discourage your children from fooling around in the deep end of the pool. They should never forget the dangers of water. 
 

Planning to go for a swim? Here's what you should do to make the most of this workout.

Before entering the pool

Do mild exercises and stretches. Take a quick shower. You don't have to use soap. This gets your circulation going and also rids your body of dirt. After all, unless you're swimming in your own personal pool, you don't want to jump in with all the muck and sweat of your body intact. It's not fair on other swimmers. 
 

After swimming

Most pools are heavily chlorinated, and you never know what kind of infections the pool is harbouring. The minute you come out of the pool, wash your eyes well. Chlorine tends to sting the eyes. 

Rinse your mouth well and clean your ears. Water gets into the ears, and if they remain unclean, you may end up with a ear infection. This is common amongst swimmers because they do not clean their ears after a
swim. 

Follow up by a bath - with soap this time.

Resist the temptation of eating immediately after a swim. Light snacks are fine, but don't immediately eat something heavy. Also, avoid cold drinks. Rest for a while. Swimming is a very physically draining exercise. If you are allergic to chlorinated water, find out if there is a salt-water pool close-by.