Considering Swim Lesson? Good Idea!
Here are a few tips on what to look for. A quality swim program should:
Have experienced, qualified instructors
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Swim instructors should be trained and certified through a nationally recognized learn-to-swim curriculum. There should also be lifeguards on duty who have current CPR and First Aid certification.
Teach good safety habits in, on, and near water.
Children should learn to never swim alone or without adult supervision. Instructors should teach children to always ask for permission from parents, lifeguards, or swimming instructors before they get into a pool or natural bodies of water like a lake.
Teach what to do if they end up in the water unexpectedly.
This includes practicing water competency skills such as self-rescue. Lessons should provide training with a variety of realistic conditions, such as falling in and swimming in clothes. Older children also should learn what to do if they see someone else in the water who is struggling, and how to get help.
Let you watch a class first to see first-hand if it is right for your child.
Not all swim lessons are created equal, and parents should investigate options to choose the best fit. Are they swimming most of the time, or are there long periods of inactivity where they are waiting for their turn? Do children get one-on-one attention? Are the instructors friendly and knowledgeable?
Require multiple sessions. Once children start lessons, you should be able to see gradual but consistent progress in their abilities over time.
Continue lessons at least until your they master basic water competency skills.