Squidkid Swimming Basics: Swim Lessons for Children

I’m going to be doing a series on basic swim topics for Squidkid and this is the first entry. These are great go-to articles that cover the essentials for popular subjects. The below provides information about signing up for swim lessons and is applicable to any state, ability, age and pool environment:

• Determine the ability of the swimmer. Is your child a beginner, afraid of the water or recovering from a pool trauma? Do you know how to swim and just want to learn how to perform side breathing better? Keep in mind the American Academy of Pediatricians says parents over-estimate their child’s cognitive ability and under-estimate their physical ability.
• Visit various pools and their programs. You should be able to visit as many public and private pools as you want to see how swim programs are run. Ask yourself if the environment you are witnessing — from the pool temp to the shallow end — is a right match for the skill or ability level in mind. Remember swimming is a temperature-contingent activity, so think about a warm indoor or outdoor pool no cooler than 80-degrees.
• Ask around, and in your on-line community. Word-of-mouth referrals are always the best recommendations when it comes to swim programs and swim instructors. Contact your local Mother’s Club or friends in your circle.
• Know what you’ll get for the lesson structure. Are you looking at private one-on-one, groups lessons with a ratio of 6:1, or a non-competitive swim club for your child? An adult class of all levels or a master’s team? Pay attention to the time frame, the size of the pool and members, and number of lessons you get for the cost.
• Do a price-shop comparison. Find out what you get for the price and call other contenders on your swim lesson list. Remember with swimming that quantity doesn’t always triumph quality and private lessons often deliver better results.
• Pick a pool big on water safety. The Red Cross believes no one is ever drown-proof. Pick a pool that enforces — and teaches — pool safety and that has a large lifeguard on staff.
• Get ahead start of the busy season. Call for lessons in June and it could be too late to get any. Settle for August and your swim teacher is way too burned out to deliver. Choose a pool and time frame that can teach swimming from Sept. — April.