Greater Sacramento Area
(916) 652 - 7709
Swim Lessons
Community pools
Children are not necessarily safe
in community swim pools.
19% drownings are in community pools
with certified lifeguards present.
Often times older children are dropped off by a parent
and picked up at a later time.
So, if you use community pools for recreational purposes, you might consider
staying with your children and supervise them.
Backfloat
One of the most important skills that ALL children should be taught is the back float.
They should be taught
how to get from a face down position
to their back and to rest
(allowing time to catch their breath in case they get tired) The back float IMPORTANT AT ALL AGES.
It is a child’s SAFE PLACE
in the event that they cannot make it
to the side of the pool
or are in a body of water without a side.
Unfortunately, this is not a regular part
of most swim programs
so you may have to request
that your child’s instructor include this in the lesson.
Private lesson
Although private lessons
are generally more expensive,
your child often learns more
as the class is geared towards
their individual skill level.
Your child gets all of the focus and learns much faster. Semi-private or small group lessons
can be advantageous at a certain point,
as your child’s skill level increases.
A bit of peer pressure, healthy competition,
and watching what others do, who are the same age, does wonders in moving a child forward.
Size of class
Class size varies greatly from one program to another.
If your child is in a group lesson
it is always helpful to have assistants
to help the instructor if there are six children or more. Quality of instruction has a great deal
to do with the teaching ability of the instructor.
A disadvantage to larger classes
is that there may be a lot of waiting time in the class. You may pay less for the classes,
but the actual swim time may be far less too.
An assistant, who helps is a great advantage.
Be extra attentive to the child/teacher ratio
and ensure that your child is being given
adequate supervision during lessons.
Survival Back Float
Whenever possible infants and toddlers
should first be taught survival skills
as is taught in the WALLYPOGS Swim Program,
before they are taught to play in the water.
Unfortunately, survival back float programs
are few and far between.
The focus is clearly survival as a first priority,
with play introduced after survival is learned.
Browse the web or call your local swim programs
to see if there are any instructors teaching back float
to little ones.
Communication
Enroll your child in a program
that is open to communication with instructor.
You are paying for the lessons
and as a parent have a right to discuss the lessons
in the event that you have concerns or questions.
If your feel that your child is inappropriately placed,
or if you have concerns
about the instruction methods,
take it to the director of the program.
A good program is open to making changes
when necessary.
Swim Lessons Caution
There is a point in swim lessons
where a child becomes more dangerous
than they were before they started lessons…
there can be a far greater risk of drowning
while “in the learning process”.
A child who has been fearful…
learns a little bit and then wants to
jump in and thinks they can swim.
25 % of drowning victims have had swim lessons.
Be overly cautious with a beginning swimmer.
Mommy and me classes
Most of the Infant Swim Programs are
“Mommy and Me” classes
where play and water orientation is encouraged.
It is a great bonding experience
but enter these classes with your eyes wide open.
To teach your child to “love water”,
with no survival skills,
greatly increases the risk of drowning.
We do not teach children to play
in the street for a very good reason…
it is not safe.
Should we treat water any differently?
BE AWARE!!!!
Community Lessons
Make sure that your child is placed in a class
that is appropriate to their skill level.
A child placed in a class
that is too advanced gets left behind…
whereas a child placed in a class
that is too easy is not challenged.
Water temperature
Children respond best to instruction
when water temperature is comfortable.
A comfortable temperature is
not less than about 84 degrees
and an ideal temperature is
between 86 –92 degrees.
Watch for signs of water being too cold,
(shivering, crying, resistance from child).
The level of temperature sensitivity
will vary with each child.
© Wallypogs 2010