A guide to Kids' Swimming Goggles - Blog
·
·
One of the key things that a baby is taught during their first swimming lessons is to go underwater and to safely bring themselves back up to the surface. For younger babies, this can come very naturally due to the fact that they have a responsive ability to hold their breath underwater in order to protect their airways. As they do not yet understand to close their eyes when they go under, they should quickly become used to having water in them which will lead to this becoming a natural activity for them to do. However, as we all know, not all children will retain this behaviour; some may grow to develop an aversion to having water in their eyes, some may encounter a bad experience in the water which could lead to fear of going under, and not all children will have started swimming lessons as a baby and developed a tolerance to having their eyes in the water. All of these aspects may well need working on individually but one way in which all could be helped would be via the use of goggles. In this guide to kid's swimming goggles, we take a look at when goggles should be used, when they possibly shouldn't be and the different types available.
Answering your FAQs
Goggles should be used when they will help your child to feel more comfortable in the water and to aid them in their swimming lessons. You want your child to learn the fundamentals of water safety and if goggles mean that they will enter the water, practice and learn, then these will be a vital tool during a tricky period.
As your child gets older and begins to develop their swimming skills, goggles can play an important part in allowing them to do this comfortably, for example, in front crawl, the butterfly, for synchronised swimming and for competitive lane swimming.
You may also need to use goggles if your child wears glasses full time. Prescription goggles are readily available to purchase via your optician and are a great solution in helping them to swim and watch a teacher with ease.
Ideally, goggles should not be used for children under the age of 2 simply because you will want them to get used to having water in their eyes, you want them to feel comfortable in that environment and goggles could cause them to be distracted. However, all babies are different and if they react badly to the water in their eyes, if they have sensitivities to the chlorine or if they are distressed without any protection you will need to do what is best for your little one.
If there are no health or sensitivity factors, goggles should also not be used as a dependency. Your child should feel confident both with and without them because if an accident ever occurred, you need to feel assured that they could focus on helping themselves out of a situation over panicking about having water in the eyes.
Goggles should not be worn if you cannot find a pair that your child will keep on. They need to feel completely at ease whilst wearing a pair and they shouldn't ever be a distraction.
Purchasing a good pair of goggles is a must if they are to work with your child and not against them. At Splash About we recommend that you look for ones that have:
- A British safety standard
- Anti-fog lens
- UV protection
- Watertight features
- Adjustable tabs
They should also be welcomed by your child, so we tend to find that bright, fun colours help to encourage them to wear them.
On fitting, you want to first practise this at home prior to a lesson. Your kid's goggles should be placed over their head and align their eyes with the protective lenses by adjusting either the nose strap (if they have one) or the head strap. The silicone pads should sit comfortably, yet securely enough to prevent water from entering them. You can adjust this by using the head strap. If the goggles easily pop off you will need to tighten them, however, if they leave marks on the face this is an indication that they may be too tight so it can take a little trial and error to get them perfect. Always check with your child that they feel as though their goggles are secure and comfortable.
Which goggles should I buy?
Our range of kids' goggles at Splash About are specifically designed and suitable for children aged from birth to 14 years. With soft silicone seals and a quick-release adjustable strap, all of our range is both comfortable and practical for children.
Infant Guppy Goggles
Our Guppy Goggles (£8) are designed especially for younger swimmers by being lightweight, comfortable and secure. With its one-button strap, it makes fitting these goggles quick, easy, and hassle-free. Taking them off is just as quick, with the quick-release button. Soft silicone seals provide a barely-there feel to keep children happy and comfortable. Suitable for children aged 2-6 Years.
Infant Minnow Goggles
These soft, comfortable Minnow Goggles (£5) are the perfect choice for young swimmers aged from 2-6 years. They have an easy-to-adjust silicone strap, nose bridge, and a soft frame which creates a more comfortable fit when in the water. The anti-glare lenses also provide a clearer swim.
Soaked Sail Fusion Junior Goggles
The stylish Soaked Junior Goggles (£10.00) combine both ultimate comfort and precision fit with maximum leak resistance. With reduced glare and anti-fog lenses, these goggles are ideal for swim training. They are suitable for children aged 6-14 Years.
Soaked Koi Junior Goggles
The Soaked Koi Junior Goggles (£6.00) is a stylish goggle featuring an easy-to-adjust silicone strap and nose bridge and a soft frame for a comfortable fit for ages 6-14 years. Anti-glare lenses provide a clearer swim.
Soaked Piranha Junior Goggles
These streamlined, silicone-sealed Piranha Goggles (£8.00) are anti-fog and feature side lenses for extra visibility in the water. The adjustable nose bridge and split head strap ensure a comfortable and secure fit and are suitable for children aged 6-14 Years.
How to care for your swim goggles
To ensure your goggles last your child you will need to take good care of them between uses. You should always:
- Rinse your swim goggles in cold water after every use, to remove any chlorine, salt or sand.
- Leave them out to naturally air dry.
- Keep them out of direct sunlight when not in use (this can degrade the silicone material).
- Avoid rubbing the inside of the lenses as this can scratch and remove the anti-fog coating.
- Consider buying a goggle pouch to store your goggles in.
We hope that our guide to kid's swimming goggles has helped you to understand these swim accessories a little further and has provided you with enough information to make a start in looking for the perfect pair for your child.
