10 tips for proper but also crazy play at sea…
Summer has arrived and it's time for our little fish to spill out onto the beaches...
The majority of babies and children have a great time from their very first day at the beach, but what if your child is scared? or shows no interest at all? and what equipment do you need for the beach?;
All of this and more are answered below in the instructions to seafarers:
- Stay calm if the child gets scared!
First, it's a good idea to put yourself in your child's shoes. For babies and children, the sea seems like a vast, living landscape of water, constantly moving... and it's a little cold here, by the way! So, if you give him some time to adjust to the new conditions, he's sure to love it.
- Enjoy the water with him.
Children are very strong receivers of our energy. If we are relaxed, the child will be able to overcome any fears he may have. Only in this way will we have a good time with him, but we will also connect more.
- We never pressure the child for anything!
Children of any age only learn through play, so it's a good idea to let our imagination run wild to make a trip to the beach enjoyable.
For infants, 10 minutes is enough for a first contact with the sea. As they grow, children themselves show us how much time they want to spend in the water. However, no matter how much they want to, excessive exposure to the sun – with or without a hat – or too many dives should be avoided.
- And yet! Armpits are prohibited!
When the time comes and your child feels ready to enter the sea, do not use armbands, but macaroni or bricks! Armrests are anti-swimming as they do not encourage arm movement. The child becomes restless and does not learn to clap his hands. After all, spaghetti has a thousand and two uses for water games, which we have even learned in the pool.
- Remember to follow the food rules, sunscreen and not sunglasses but a hat.
- It is best to eat 2-3 hours before. Of course, we do not eat during swimming either. Liquids, on the other hand, are highly recommended!
- Sunscreen with an SPF of up to 30 – which does not contain any additional chemicals – is most recommended by experts. A sunscreen shirt is ideal!
- It is best not to use sunglasses until the age of seven, because the eye gets used to it and becomes "lazy".
- Your eyes are fourteen!
The spaghetti, the board and other life jackets are no substitute for supervision. Babies are always in our arms, while for toddlers an arm's length is the most appropriate distance and we never, ever turn our backs on them.
Therefore, be careful throughout your child's stay in the water, no matter how familiar they are with swimming!
And remember: The boldest are also the most feared.
Note: Swimming should be avoided when there is a wave or sea current, as they are not only dangerous for children, but also for us adults.
The child should swim in shallow water.
Dives from a height should only be done if you have made sure that the depth at that point in the sea is safe and there are no rocks or stones protruding.
- Sea time.
It is best to go to the sea in the morning hours of 8:00-11:00 and in the afternoon from 18:00 onwards when the sea is warmer but also calmer.
- Avoid exaggerations.
If the child's lips turn blue/purple and he or she shows signs of fatigue, remove the child from the water immediately and wrap him or her in a dry towel.
- Let your imagination run wild!
Make circular movements in the water, let it run down the child's body,
Put it in a supine position - walk it around.
Avoid getting water on your face and especially your eyes, as salt water can sting and scare them. Find your own toys that will excite them!
- Buckets, inflatable pools, boards and balls make the game even more imaginative!
If you have the courage to carry – in addition to the essentials – your entire dowry to the beach, then don't forget the buckets to build your own sand dynasty! The boards also have many uses, such as a sand chair and a boat for the sea. The inflatables and balls that fly here and there, just come to take the game off! Be careful, though, never chase them while the wave is taking them in!
Have a great summer with endless play and joy!!
English 
Greek