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ALL LESSONS ARE PRIVATE – A session consists of an initial 16 - (15-min) lessons over four weeks. After the 16 lessons we then continue on a per lesson basis until child successfully graduates. Why only 15 minutes? It is very tiring work, especially for an infant or toddler. Why 12 lessons in three weeks? We have found greater success in graduation by lesson 12, if done as an intensive over four weeks.

A SEQUENCE OF STEPS – Steps build one upon the other. In a slow, gentle, loving way a child is conditioned to flip to their back and float, when placed in water. The BEGINNING is same, the MIDDLE is individualized, and the END is the same.

WE HAVE OUR HANDS ON A CHILD AT ALL TIMES - Until a child able to sustain a free back float by themselves our hands are always touching them. a gentle tapping, on the back of the head, as assistance to keep their mouths and nose out of the water, is used while they are in the learning process. A gentle stroking of their faces is also used as a calming reassurance.

WE DON'T THROW CHILDREN IN - This is a common fear of parents, and has been done in some infant programs. This is where tremendous trauma can occur. Our approach is actually quite the opposite. We adopt a hands -on approach as we gradually guide them through the process. Only near the end of all the lessons, when they have been sufficiently prepared, are they put off of the side of the pool, fully clothed, as a part of the graduation process.

WE HANDLE A CHILD WITH SECURE, PATIENT, GENTLE, FIRMNESS - Our approach is to create a sense of security and safety. Children can feel that in the way that we handle them. Patience is paramount! If we are secure they feel that sense of security.

WE DON'T KEEP A CHILD SUBMERGED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME - Our goal is to keep a child's mouth out of the water, as much as possible. There is a great difference from other infant swim programs, where the emphasis is placed on underwater swimming. Our belief is that underwater swimming comes "in it's own time".

WE KEEP OUR EYES ON THE CHILDS FACE AT ALL TIMES - Should we need to look up or away our hand is securely under the back of the child's head insuring their nose and mouth stay out of the water.

EYE CONTACT - It goes without saying that as humans we connect with our eyes, so we also communicate with the child through eye contact. A child needs to know that we are with them 100%.

WE SPEAK IN A SOFT, GENTLE, LOVING, VOICE - It is vitally important to the success of a child that they learn to trust us. Trust takes time and is built in a loving and reassuring way. We speak in a calm, soothing tone, always maintaining a positive attitude.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT - With continual positive reinforcement a child works for approval. We praise positive behaviors and ignore negative or inappropriate ones. Attention to negative behavior creates more of the same.

DAILY RECORD - We keep a daily record of child's progress. When working with lots of children it helps knowing what they accomplished the previous day. It also helps another instructor know a child's capabilities and progress. Continuity is important, but sometimes instructors may switch children during a lesson. We work as a team: instructors, child and parents.

OUR GOAL - It is to create a "positive experience" for both parent and child. The use of stars, stickers, cookies, happy faces, and upon graduation, buttons and T-shirts are used as incentives and positive reinforcement. This helps give the child a greater sense of accomplishment.

The Parents Role

So what should you do as the parent? Click her to find out our suggestions.

WHY IN CLOTHES - Because 86% of the children who drown do so fully clothed. Falling into water while clothed is quite a different feeling than just being in diapers or a swimsuit. When wet, clothes are heavy and the child has to learn to compensate for the extra weight of the clothing and shoes. This helps them be fully prepared and not caught by surprise from the difference in sensation.

GRADUATION DAY - Somewhere between 16 -24 lessons graduation generally occurs. This varies with each child’s ability and temperament. On Graduation Day the child is placed off the side, fully clothed, and has to be able to go under, surface, (face-up), get their mouth and nose out of the water, and maintain a back float for 5-15 minutes without being assisted in any way. If assistance is needed then we try graduation on another day. An instructor is within arms reach of child at all times. The last part of lesson is running the child through all of the rolls and flips with additional parent training, if necessary.