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123 Swimming Lessons

Teach Your Child To Swim!

Can Swimming Lessons Cause Ear Infections?

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Swimming is a great activity for both adults & children alike, but can swimming lessons cause ear infections?

Swimming is a great way to exercise. I myself have used it as a form of therapy for recovering from an injury or illness. As fun as swimming is can swimming lessons cause ear infections? Unfortunately, YES! Swimming can lead to an increased risk of ear infections.

Swimmininglessonsearinfections

Being aware of risks:

As a swim instructor, I know it is important to be aware of the risks that come with swimming & how to prevent them.

Ear infections are mainly caused by bacteria & viruses that enter your ear inside the canal.

When swimming, water can become trapped in the ear allowing bacteria & viruses to multiply inside. Swimmers who don’t dry their ears correctly or who swim in contaminated water are at a higher risk of getting an ear infection.

When I go swimming in Lakes, Ponds other stagnant bodies of water, I REALLY make sure I am clearing out my ears as best I can.

Preventing Ear Infections:

To help prevent ear infections, it’s important to teach swimmers proper ear care. Swimmers should always dry their ears thoroughly after swimming, using a towel to gently pat them dry.

It can also help to encourage swimmers to wear ear plugs or a swim cap with ear flaps when swimming in contaminated water.

It’s important to educate yourself or your child about the signs & symptoms of an ear infection.

Try to be aware that an ear infection can cause pain, itching, drainage also discomfort.

If a swimmer begins to feel they have any of these symptoms, they should be tended to them right away.

It will always help ensure that your children are aware of the risks of ear infections. With proper knowledge preventative measures can help keep your swimmers safe, healthy, happy while they enjoy a swim.

How To Choose A Swim Instructor

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How to choose a swim instructor

You may find yourself searching the question, how to choose a swim instructor? What do I need to look for? How qualified does one need to be? Well it all depends on one’s need.

First & Foremost;

– Can the instructor make you & or your child feel comfortable?

– How experienced is the instructor? (Experience can range of course. Examples: Teachers, Youth Leaders, Sports Coaching ect.)

– Do they teach children?

– Have they taught adults?

– Do they have experience with a special needs children or adults? (Also are you comfortable with the length of time the classes are?)

Here are some in depth bullet point questions that you do want to ask also:

  • Ask about or view the instructor’s approach to teaching. Do they specialize in a particular area of expertise? Beginner? Advanced? Coaching?
  • How is their personality loud? Quiet? etc. You should be able to see or hear about your instructor from word of mouth, or reviews.
  • Ask whatever questions you would like to know about the lesson. Pricing, location, do they come to your house? Do they offer group classes? Private classes?
  • Do they know how to interact with your child or yourself well?
  • Are they able to push your child or yourself hard enough to get results, but also has to know that they days that are bad you still learn?

In Conclusion

Those are just some of the core based questions that I myself as a parent would ask, but also from a swim instructors perspective the questions that I anticipate & hope that you would ask me. Remember knowing how to choose a swim instructor will only help you or your child’s steps to becoming comfortable in and around the pool a lot less stressful. Enjoy the Poolside, Lakeside, Riverside & Oceanside swimmers!

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Learning To Swim At An Early Age

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Benefits of learning to swim at an early age

We all know the saying goes, “Children are like sponges, they absorb everything around them”. Learning to swim at an early age goes really without saying. Many parents don’t even think about swim lessons until the first summer that they have that little 1 – 3 yr old toddler. It is then that they realize how much time they will be spending by some body of water in the coming summers.

 

As a parent there are certain fears or possibilities that I put into my head that can stop me from letting my child experience things that can actually save his life. When you think about leaving your child by the pool, bathtub and other bodies of water. Do you know for sure that your child would have the trained instinct to safe themselves?

Swimming lessons at an early age:

  • Starting swim lessons for your child at 3-4 months of age will already help them with holding their breathe & learning the motions of kicking in the water.
  • Will help teach them to close their eyes under water early
  • Many may not know that actual physical strength and endurance are being performed when you are performing these actions with your baby & or toddler.
  • Babies learn early to turn back to the wall and grab the wall. Actions of hand movement around the sides of the pool let them know early where the safety zones are.
  • Also can’t forget back-floating. Once a child can relax into a back-float it is very comforting know that they are that comfortable & they now know their buoyancy.

Each one of these are very highly beneficial to any parent. Just know is always a good thing to start with the benefits of learning to swim at an early age so your child can develop quicker each year.

 

For any of your swim lessons questions contact us here: 123 Swimming Lessons Contact

What Do I Tell My Child After A Drowning Happens?

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What do I tell my child after a drowning?

 

Never did I think I would have to answer the question, “What do I tell my child after a drowning happens”? Have to admit was never ready for that question.

Hey swimmers its ya boy Curtis Knight your online swim instructor. Today I ran into a mother of one of my students I coach swimming lessons to during the summer. As soon as she saw me I could tell she knew exactly what she wanted to ask me and seemed worried. Straight away I put down whatever it was I was doing to see what was wrong.

She began to tell me that a friend of her child in preschool class passed away & the cause was drowning. I was stuck like a deer in headlights processing what she said. I had to recite it back to her & I realized that it was very close to home for her & she really didn’t know what to tell her child.

In this case I really thought about what was coming out of my mouth, being that this subject is not a light subject at all. You really don’t think about the kids that have just learned how to swim & that they were terrified of the water in the first place, NOW THIS HAPPENS!!! Of course you are going to have to have an answer to some questions your child will ask about the pool again. Really & honestly there is no one way to approach this situation but I can help with things that may come up.

Some Ways To Prepare For This Question:

  • Don’t bring up the subject of drowning unless your child does. (No need to stir the pot)
  • Remind them that they have, or are taking swim lessons. To reassure their confidence of “this is why” we…… (practice, don’t swim alone, etc.)
  • Go over safety skills with them to reaffirm their SAFETY.
  • Let them know the reason you have a gate around your pool, or a sound alarm, etc.
  • Practice in the bathtub. (Bathtubs are a great place to start & continue water skills because of the comfort kids have in tubs)
  • Before swimming or water events kindly go over the rules in and around the water.
  • Honesty is the best policy. I’m not telling you to scare your child, I’m telling you to find that fine line of being honest about dangers of the pool, and that mistakes happen and sometimes the results are permanent.

Parenting is never an easy thing, we all try our very best to make sure we say and do the right things. Just be sure that it’s coming from a place of love and sincerity.

FOR ANY SWIMMING QUESTIONS CONTACT US HERE: 123 Swimming Lessons Contact

Male vs Female Swim Instructors

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Is There A Difference in Having A Male vs Female Swim Instructor?

Male vs Female Swim Instructors is an important question most parents ask when it comes to teaching their child. Will my child be comfortable with a male or female? Will they listen to a male or female? Will they be afraid? Who is better at teaching a male or a female?

The answer is neither right or wrong. The question one should ask themselves is; does my child enjoy the water? Are they afraid of the pool? Do they listen to easy 1,2 step instructions?

Your child will probably be nervous of a stranger in the swimming pool anyhow. Most of us have taught our kids not to talk to strangers regardless of a male or female. Although it is important for your child to feel comfortable with their swim instructor, chances are they will be nervous or unsure at first meeting their instructor.

As a parent, making the decision of introducing your child to a life saving skill such as learning how to swim is one of the best decisions you could ever make for them. Whether a male or female instructor is best is commonly asked next.

When you set up your child’s lesson for swimming-

Some key factors will come into play beforehand to help your child adjust to having a male or female instructor in their home.

  • It is best advised to talk about your child having swim lessons days before hand, and also on the day of. Talking about how they’re going to have a friendly, fun teacher to come and play in the pool with them. Yes swim lessons are structured, but telling your child how much fun they’re going to have learning helps them feel better about being in the water.
  • Make sure that the time you scheduled your child works best for their schedule. Try not to schedule it when you know that’s their nap time, or eating a meal time. Try not to “rush” and build anxiety for your child’s lesson. Children are very receptive to feelings, and can be very emotional already. Speaking calmly, and talk about all of the great things that they’re going to be doing. Example; swimming like a mermaid, kicking like a dolphin, etc.)
  • Make sure your own pool temperature is comfortable. No one likes to be
  • Try not to feed your child a big meal before hand because eating before swimming

1 On 1 Private Swim Lessons

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1 ON 1 PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

A lot of swim schools have swim instructors & private swim lessons that have good lesson plans.  You defiantly need a good lesson plan and great ways to teach swimming.

Honestly though when it comes down to it your child is going to work WELL with a certain person.

Hey swimmers its ya boy Curtis Knight your online swim instructor.

What most of us parents want is to put our child in lessons & try to keep them with the same instructor. Your child needs to build trust with that person.

Joining private swim lessons can help a child tremendously. Children have a lot of one on one time & get more repetition when being taught by a private swim instructor.

A parent can also get a chance to have swim lessons for their child in their own backyard or in a smaller & less busy environment.

Most children tend to learn quicker when being taught privately because they can get a lot more swimming done in a shorter period of time. Parents we all know that our children can pick up things extremely fast.

With the right instruction & a good amount of repetition, I know that a child can learn how to swim the basics in 6 Lessons. I like to put a time limit because it pushes the instructor to build the confidence in a child & get them swimming no matter what.

Of course not every child learns in that amount of time, some children take a little longer than others. The majority of the children I have taught I have had them basic swimming in 6 lessons or less.

There are children that have had very bad experiences with the water & it takes them a while to even trust themselves more then the instructor.

So with those children it’s better not to push them straight away until they are use to the water again.

That is when more time and repetition is needed than the average child.

ANOTHER GREAT BENEFIT

On another note private lessons are good for a child that may not listen in a group setting very well.

Again this gives the child more one on one time so there is not really anytime for messing around. If a child does get off track there is time to talk and set them back to swimming.

For example a child is jumping around not staying on the wall of the pool. A private instructor is able to focus on them & make sure they use the child’s energy to keep a lesson going. They don’t have to worry about teaching another child.

Private swimming lessons are a little more expensive but the pros out weigh the cons & you do end up getting your money’s worth.

I myself do offer private swimming lessons and I am more of PRIVATE SWIM INSTRUCTOR/WATER FITNESS TRAINER.

I have currently moved back to Las Vegas NV and am located in the Summerlin Area. I do offer lessons for adults, teens, children and babies. Contact me via email for more information.