Your enrollment in survival swim lessons is just the beginning. To help you understand the importance of your cooperation during and outside of lessons I have collaborated with another instructor to compile these tips. These suggestions are intended to aid in your child's success throughout their swimming journey.
Don't
- Please refrain from sitting poolside while asking your child to swim to you. It's important to remember we are teaching them to survive when no one is around.
- Asking your child to blow bubbles is exactly what we are trying to keep them from doing. Instead, ask them to hold their breath and show them how you close your lips.
- If you choose to practice floating in the bathtub, make sure thew ater is high enough to allow your child to float without touching the bottom of the tub. We want to make sure they are actually floating and not resting on the bottom.
- Hot tubs are fun, but they don't allow for any real swimming. let's keep vertical playtime to a limit and encourage horizontal swimming.
- We know this is a stressful time. If you are feeling anxious, your child will pick up on it. Always smile and say encouraging words. And please leave the teaching to us. We promise the cheering will go far!
- Unless you are boating, do not use flotation devices or arm floaties. Not only do they encourage vertical positions that go against horizontal swimming but they provide a false sense of confidence and security. Every ten minutes spent in flotation devices will add one more lessons to undo the behavior learned.
- Sneaking snacks before lessons will always show up in the pool. We understand how hard it is, but imagine if every kid did it. Nobody wants to swim in that!
Do
- Do offer rewards. If they are food, it may be best to wait until all the air is out of their body.
- Do cheer and get excited! We do too!
- Do make time for fun water time!
- Do read them books about swimming and floating. As, we have suggestions!
- Do talk about lessons and ask what they learned. Be excited for them!
- Do video and let them watch themselves!
- Do feel free to ask questions. We know time is limited, but we are available via text or email.