Swim Lessons for Children
How to Choose the Right Swim Class for Your Child
As summer begins, the frequency of trips to pools and the beach increases and so do the number of water accidents involving children. Proper supervision of kids near water is imperative to their safety no matter their level of comfort in the water. Teaching kids how to swim increases some of their survival skills. Enrolling your children in a learn-to-swim program, however, can be confusing. Here is a guide to help you make this all important decision a bit easier.
What is the Best Age to Enroll a Child in Swim Lessons
The more a child is exposed to a pool, the higher their comfort level will be in the water. Most swim classes for infants are geared as a parent-child class, which helps the child view it as a positive experience. It isn’t until they are a bit older and can understand directions that they begin to learn swimming skills, such as blowing bubbles, how to enter and exit the pool safely, and how to float.
If a child shows a lot of fear, do not push them to continue with the lesson, as you do not want them to associate negative feelings with swimming. You can try lessons in a few months or the next season when they may be more ready.
How to Locate a Swim Class.
Check your local listings. YMCA, Royal Life Saving Society, Town Recreation Departments, and private swim schools are a great place to start your search. Costs will differ from place to place and some membership fees may be charged in addition to class fees depending on the facility.
Private lessons. Some swim schools have certified instructors available to come to your personal pool for a private lesson.
Camps. Some swim classes are included with camps during the summer. Often the lessons are given at a lake instead of a pool. Some kids may find this less intimidating, as the water level increases gradually.
How to Decide on a Swim Program.
Here is a checklist of items to help you decide on a swim program.
References. Ask friends for a referral to a program and what they specifically liked or disliked about it.
Visit a Class. Watch a class and how the instructors interact with the children. Are the classes grouped adequately based on skill? Are the kids enjoying the class and having fun while learning?
Pool Maintenance: The pool should be well maintained and the quality of the water should be tested regularly.
Water Temperature: Kids especially need the water temperature to be on the warmer side.
Staff Qualifications: The instructors should be certified instructors as well as CPR certified. They should be able to teach kids at the appropriate skill level.
Parental Involvement: For very young children, parents should be able to be in the pool with the kids to increase their comfort and security levels. For toddlers, having the parent in view decreases some apprehension or nervousness they may have.
Know the School’s Philosophy: How many levels of classes are there? What is the skill progression at each level?
Ratio: The student/teacher ratio should be small. This enables the kids to have enough time to repeat the skill being taught as repetition is important at this stage.
Time Limit: A 30 minute class is efficient for a toddler or preschooler as their attention spans are limited.
Swimming is a life long skill and definitely worth the investment.
