Great comments came to SquidKid the other day from reader, teacher, and swimmer Alexis D. when asked about her opinion regarding the differences between adults verse children learning to swim. Here is what she had to say:
“I’ve worked with many a non-swimmer adult in my tenure, and I find that although adults tend to be more apprehensive about what they’re going to do, that in the end, they’re more willing to do it.”
Alexis goes on to discuss phobias, which by definition is an irrational fear, such as not knowing what will happen when you put your face in water. Adults are far more emotionally and mentally equipped to rationalize and tackle a water fear than children — but adults have also had more time to internalize or grow them. This can be a challenge if you are an adult trying to learn how to swim for the first time.
I find the hardest part about teaching an adult to swim is their ability to exercise freewill, defined as having a choice to show up to class or not. Alexis comments:
“Children, on the other had, often have no choice in the matter. They may have a HUGE fear, but it is mommy or daddy who has told them they have to learn to swim. They aren’t old enough to go through a rational thought process and come out the other end saying, ‘OK, I’ll live through this experience’.”
Motivation for children being force, motivation for adults being personal desire. Old or young, same overall results come from learning how to swim: A feeling of achievement and safety.
Tags: adult swimming, Swim Lessons
