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123 Swimming Lessons

Teach Your Child To Swim!

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

Playing in the Swimming Pool

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Playing in the Swimming Pool

Swimming is already scary for children, they still enjoy playing in the swimming pool. After a lesson it is crucial to incorporate some fun game into it. Learning through play is an important part of a child’s development, and who are we kidding? It also burns some extra energy that they can afford to burn. Lol. Even early in development, a child’s mind is expanding just by looking at their environment and taking in their surroundings.

Through play, it allows children to learn many different skills that they will need in their life such as:

  • Problem solving and learning cause and effect
  • Learning how to play with others through compromise, conflict resolution and sharing
  • Development of fine and gross motor skills
  • Nurturing their creativity and imagination
  • Discovering their independence and positive self-esteem
  • Sensory play

One of the major skills that will assist in your child’s development in the water is sensory, motor, promoting independence and positive self esteem. I have listed a few games that you can play with your child after their 20-25 min lesson.

  • Diving for rings or treasure coins (pool friendly-can usually be found in the swim aisles during swim/summer season)

If your child is a toddler or smaller/but can stand up/or walk on their own they can play this game on a step inside of the pool (supervised by an adult) Place a diving ring, or coin, or pool toy that does not float. Gage the distance of arm lengths reach for your child encourage them to hold their breathe while reaching for the pool toy. It promotes self-confidence and depending on how small the toy is; it helps with finger and hand pincer grip. If your child is already standing up in the pool and/or can reach and confidently swim from the wall or step place several pool toys that they can dive for. Clap, cheer them on, even if they weren’t able to collect all of the toys. Let them know you are proud of them and they will want to try again.

123 Swimming Lessons Playing in the Swimming Pool

  • Squirt toys/water bomb balls

These are so fun to play with in the swimming pool. Children love rubber ducks, water mesh balls, squirt guns, etc. Let them squish the water, play, splash, dump it over their head or yours.

  • Noodle/kick-board paddle races

This is really fun when a parent get’s involved. Children love to race. If your child is confidently swimming a few feet or to the other side of the pool grab a noodle, kick board, floating toy and see who can paddle to the other side the fastest. If you like a challenge, time your child and see if they can beat their previous time. Get creative with strokes paddle with the noodle, maybe no arms just kicking, back floats, the possibilities are endless. If it’s for a younger child, racing is something they may not like. Use a noodle as a horse ride, dolphin ride. Children want to be assured that they can have fun with the pool toys as well, and that it’s not so scary just because they practice swimming or strokes with it.

  • Wall falls (jumping from the steps) /Humpty dumpty’s

You must be careful when encouraging your child to jump or “pretend” fall into the pool into your arms. But children love to jump in or splash around in the pool. If they are supervised properly and encouraged to jump outwards into an adults arms, they’re becoming fearless and feel safe. This will benefit them later when they want to learn to dive. Sing songs when they’re jumping into your arms. Set the rules of when and not to play in the pool.

These are just a few ideas of games to play in the pool. As long as you’re having fun and your child is enjoying themselves in pool it’s a win for everyone.

Cheers,

Miss Jo

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.

Pool Safety for Toddlers

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Pool Safety For Toddlers

I don’t have to stress the importance of pool safety for toddlers because you already know how important it is.

Curtis Knight teaching private swim lessonsWhat I’m really here for is to give you a few swimming tips that you can use while you are in the pool with your toddler.

Having strength in the pool is an important factor that people forget to work on. For example having your child always hold the wall & crawl on it allows them to become very familiar with grabbing the wall.

Making sure they are touching the wall to know that they can pull themselves up to breath is always a plus in a life threatening situation for your child.

Here is a short video of a technique that is easy to pick up for most children & help with pool safety for toddlers.

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Elbow Elbow – Knee Knee Technique is simple to remember & of course it is exactly what your child needs to do to get out of the water.

The wall is a tool when it comes to teaching your little ones pool safety. Make it a rule that they always have to go straight back to the wall when they fall into the pool.

Anytime you are instructing your own child in the pool structure your lessons around the wall. The wall should be the first thing that your child thinks of when they get into the pool. LOL.

All jokes aside pool safety for toddlers is a very important subject & besides making sure your child can swim please, use the right pool SAFETY GATES needed.

Never leave your child unattended. No Swimming Alone!!!

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