Swimming Lessons for Kids: Choosing the Right Instructor

Learning to swim is an amazing opportunity for kids. Their opportunities for enjoyment expand massively when the water is a safe and pleasant place for them to play.

But early experiences in the water can make or break a child's relationship to water. One unpleasant experience can create negative associations or even trauma. How can you prevent this?

A major part of setting your kid up for swimming success is to choose the right instructor. The best swim instructors will be alert to danger, yet calming and cheerful in how they deal with the kids. When looking for swimming lessons for kids, make sure you choose swim programs with experienced, skilled instructors; this will ensure that your kids have a great time and are eager to come back again and again, setting them up for a lifetime of fitness and fun.

Safety First: Kids Swim Lessons Should Emphasize Safety

It's important to take your kids to a professional for their first swimming lessons in order to be sure that they are supervised by certified instructors who have water safety skills woven into their instruction methodology. Obviously you don't want your child to suffer injury in the water at one of their first swimming lessons for their own safety, but even being frightened in the water once early on can turn a child against water for the rest of their life. Choose instructors who knows how to make everyone both safe and comfortable.

Personal Safety in the Water

A good teacher will know how to convey to your kids the importance of water safety, without making them feel as though the water is a threat. In the first swim lessons they will carefully introduce the students to submerging their faces in the water, treading water, and diving, all at a pace that will match the kids' comfort and ability.

A good learn to swim program will start with the kids working at the pool's edge, learning to kick their legs powerfully, blow bubbles under water, and just be comfortable with the water. As time goes on they will spend more and more time away from the wall, perhaps with floatation devices, or just being pulled away from the wall and swimming back.

All this will take place in a way that is designed to push for improvement while allowing the kids to learn at their own pace, to prevent them from becoming frightened or overwhelmed during their swim lessons.

Pool Rules

Every reputable swimming teacher has rules for their swimming lessons, like no running, no rough housing, and no splashing each other--at least during swim lessons. This is to help all the kids stay happy and safe, and to avoid injuries. Prepare your kids to abide by these rules so they can get the most out of their swimming classes.

Attitude is Everything: Calm, Cheerful Instructors Teach the Most

If you've ever had an intimidating or impatient teacher you probably remember their classes as some of the least enjoyable times of your life. Now imagine combining the discomfort of a disapproving educator and add the stress of an unfamiliar environment like water.

It will be very profitable for you and your kid to make sure that your child and the instructors for their swim lessons get along well. A happy, upbeat introduction to swimming and water safety will set the tone for the rest of your child's swimming career; make sure to pay attention to cues and step in if the instructor is not a good fit.

Stress Inhibits Learning

When your child feels intimidated or worried, their brain prioritizes escape and defense over taking in new information. For lessons to be as effective as possible you want your kids swimming lessons to be as relaxed and happy as possible.

Swim lessons should be an event that your kids look forward to all week. When the day of your kids swim lessons comes they should be happy to get ready. If that's not the case, it may be smart to give them some time off and try again, perhaps with different staff or a different pool; then when you come back your child may be ready to enjoy the swimming experience and build skills and confidence that they need to be at home in the water.

Kids Swim Lessons: An Opportunity for Growth

There is no better feeling for a kid than learning to do something they thought was impossible. Overcoming challenges does wonders for their confidence and resilience. And water safety is an important life skill for anyone who wants to have a well rounded outdoor lifestyle.

Take your kids to swim lessons and help them be able to enjoy fitness, recreation, and the satisfaction of learning something new and challenging.