Helpful Hints

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

The following advice will help your child to enjoy their lessons, develop self-confidence and learn more quickly, thus costing you the least amount of money. We love swimming with your children and would love to have them swim with us forever, but we do not believe in dragging out learning at the expense of the parents. In each 3 week session, the instructor has specific goals to accomplish with the child. If these goals are accomplished early, we move forward to the goals of the following session. Our desire is to reach your goals for your children as efficiently as possible while instilling in the children a strong love for the water.

1. Get your child, yourself and as many others as possible excited about your child’s swim lessons. Tell, or better, have your child tell each day as often as possible of his/her progress.
2. Fill your child’s heart with excitement for swimming and pride in his/her hard work and courage.
3. HOMEWORK – The skills that we teach your children help them to become safe, efficient, joyful swimmers. All skills teach Safety, Efficiency, and Balance/Buoyancy as indicated. The following skill assessment is based on a scale of 1 to 10 (a 5 represents they’ve reached minimal independence with the respective skill) with the skills increasing in proficiency from least to greatest.

   Please PRACTICE ONLY LEVEL-1 skills until the teacher recommends LEVEL-2 skills, which require breath control.
   Practicing at home is critical for rapid advancement. DO NOT force child – stop if water gets in nose.

   Holding Breath:
   LEVEL-1: Practice big breaths in & out of mouth. Hold breath and make a “balloon face” Use a straw and hold child’s nose if necessary. Breathing w/mouth will be a new skill for most children. Practice blowing bubbles & humming (out of the water with a bubble wand then in the water) to keep water out of nose. Say, “We are working on this so don’t swallow water or get it in your nose.”

   Floating:
   LEVEL-1: Practice resting in the tub/pool (completely relaxed) on back, gradually increase water level (ears in water)
   LEVEL-2: When able to control breath, also on stomach (jellyfish float).

   Rolling over:
   LEVEL-2 PRACTICE ONLY!! Practice rolling in the tub/pool with arms by their sides and head in line with spine. Remind child to blow bubbles as they roll from back to front & front to back.

   Climb out/Frog Jump/Gliding:
   LEVEL-1: Practice having the child pull themselves up on counter, or some other stable surface. Practice jumping straight up in air with arms tight together pointed up & legs together “like a rocket”.

   Kicking straight:
   LEVEL-1: Lie on bed on stomach with legs off edge. Hold child’s legs & help them do small kicks up & down with straight legs and toes pointed. Say, “Stay like a rocket so you will go super-fast in the pool.” REPEAT on back.

   Looking @ bottom:
   LEVEL-1: Practice on the bed, head over edge looking down at toys.

   LEVEL-2: In the tub/pool face in when breath control is established. Head must be aligned with spine “so it is easier to roll over flat.”

   Diving for toys:
   LEVEL-1: Put toys down in tub/pool, on steps, then progressively deeper and encourage child to go down and get them. Remind them to demonstrate “Take Big Bite of Air” “Blow Bubbles”

   Elementary Backstroke:
   “Monkey, Airplane, Soldier” Ask teacher for demonstration. Hold the “soldier, soldier, soldier” for at least 3 counts. This is the glide and very important to emphasize as it will make the stroke more efficient.