New swim lesson parents: first lesson prep

Swim lessons are exciting and fun!

If you have a younger swimmer, talk positively about swimming and how much fun it will be. If they have had a negative experience in the past, don't remind them or if they remember, help them know this will be better! A positive, can-do and willing to try attitude is the most important thing- and that starts with the parent. 

For the younger and nervous swimmers, sometimes they wonder what to expect. The first lesson - and pretty much every lesson- will start with kicks to get used to the water, then we will go into arms, bubbles and floats (all with assistance and at THEIR speed), and we will end with toy time. 

Will they go underwater the first day? That depends on the child and if THEY are ready. Ready is not simply a can they close their mouth, but mentally ready. Their first lesson especially, we want to build trust, confidence and comfort with their instructor and the pool. Kids that can make decisions need to decide they are ready and willing to go underwater. If forced before they are ready, it can regress them. As instructors we are watching their body language and listening very closely to make the the best next steps to advance their swimming. We will use a combination of toys, games and talking to them to get wanting to go underwater. Once they go under (even if its not all the way- or even truly under), we will praise, praise and more praise. Then once they come to you after the lesson, please give them all of the praise. We want them to be so excited they can't wait to do it again. Some kids don't go underwater the second or even third lesson- and that's okay. We are going to keep working other skills and working toward going underwater.

When picking the swim lesson time, please try to avoid naptime!