Teaching toddlers to Mer?

[CharletteRoselynnAdams]

Hey! So, I'm still pretty new to mermaiding, and I have a three-year-old girl who REALLY wants to learn to tail-swim. I've seen a few YouTube videos of 'guppies' about her age doing just that, and I'm wondering what tips, advice, or resources anyone can provide to a mer-momma.
Thanks! <3

[Usagi]

I haven't done it yet (my niece just turned four, but I did make her a tail, though) but I would say they first should learn how to be comfortable in the water and stay afloat. I think it would be hard for wee ones to really learn how to swim normally since there's probably not much arm muscle Haha so maybe going straight to swimming like a mermaid would be a good thing? One thing to think about is the monofin. They have to be big enough to fit it. I made my niece's out of cardboard and a lot of tape. Then I used elastic for her to slip her little feet into Haha her parents are going to get a membership for the Y soon, and she and her brother will be able to take swim classes. I think I'm gonna start teaching her after that. Does your wee one swim already? (sorry for writing so much! :P)

[MerEmma]

I'd recommend getting her to learn to swim first. After she is a competent swimmer, get her the mermaid monofin and a fabric tail (ebay is a good place to look; Finfun does good tails and I believe they will put a monofin if requested). Always supervise her. Let her swim like the H2O gals--it's much easier to swim that way with your arms out in front.

[Mermaid Melusinah]

as the other girls have said. Make sure she is 500% comfortable in the water first. And a strong enough swimmer in her own right. She needs to know how to float on her back and call for help for sure. Mermaiding can be hard enough when you're a grown adult! :p
The greatest challenge you're going to face is the fact that the legs will be restricted. Babies/toddlers are NOT used to that and usually VERY anti retraining. It could either go rather well, or simply just distress the kiddo. I'm not saying that 3 is an impossible age to begin trying to mermaid. However, keeping in mind because of natural toddler behaviors and reactions (I have a 2 year old myself, i fully understand -_- gods love her <3) there will be MANY challenges.
Also, side note, PLEASE before you begin this endeavor make sure that you are UP TO DATE (it changes constantly) with TODDLER CPR. I make emphasis on toddler because it does in fact vary from adult dramatically. And not knowing in time of need could only potentially do more harm then good.
Just be safe, use common sense, have patience and DONT push it or stress. Cause toddlers dont take to those sort of things well. :)

[CharletteRoselynnAdams]

Wow... It's great how quickly everyone responded! Y'all are wonderful... Yes, my girl is VERY comfy in the water...she's a Florida baby and first dipped her toes in the ocean the day she turned a week old. The kid also has this amazing natural muscle tone that she inherited from her daddy, so the arm strength is definitely there. Toddler CPR was a great suggestion; I hadn't thought of that one! Lol I'll be sure to post pics when she gets started, and keep a log... Maybe we can eventually have a whole 'advice for guppy moms' section to help start off a generation born to current mermaiding moms. <3