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123 Swimming Lessons

Teach Your Child To Swim!

What Age Swimming Lessons Should Be Introduced.

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The real question?

I frequently get asked by parents what age swimming lessons should be introduced to their children? This is a very good question & I figured I would answer it for everyone.

Normally I would say there’s no correct answer for some questions. For this question what age swimming lessons should be introduced, the correct answer is the earliest you possibly can. I am a parent myself of 2 boys & I personally started introducing both of my kids as early as 3 months old. Of course if it is the middle of winter & you don’t have a heated pool then yes wait until the summer to enter the pool.

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Honestly you don’t need a pool to introduce your baby to the water. One thing I always tell my families that you can simply use your bathtub & or shower to get them use to the water. Babies pick up the basics of being in the water quickly.

Some examples:

For example holding their breath is the first thing you can work on in a bathtub or shower. Showing them how to blow bubbles & baby splashing helps them know when they need to hold their breath. Your baby will have to go through choking on some water in order to realize that its a good idea to hold their breath.

In the shower you can throw them off guard with splashing the water on their face. It prepares them for the water & learning to hold their breaths quickly before they hit a body of water. It is a simple tool but a very important tool.

Final Thoughts….

I can’t sit here & say that your baby will learn how to swim laps in the pool as a 6 months old because that’s not what happens. You will be surprised at what babies can do in the water when the repetitions are put forth.

For me the most important thing would be teaching them to hold their breath as early as possible. The safety behind them having time if something was to happen is always my main thing. After that let everything else come as it does. Remember we want them to have fun & enjoy the water don’t push things if it doesn’t need to be pushed.

Should Your Swim Instructor Have WSI?

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What is a WSI?

I always get the question, “Should your swim instructor have a WSI? Well what is a WSI? A WSI is short for water safety instructor.

Water Safety Instructor certification focuses on preparing candidates to teach the Red Cross Swim programs, it teaches candidates to introduce & develop fitness activities, skills & water safety & swimming skills in several Red Cross programs.

Can a swim instructor still teach without one?

Why yes of course! A WSI does not make you a good instructor, nor does obtaining one make you one either. It is an instruction book for others to teach or instruct others on how to swim.

Curtis & JoAnna Knight

A WSI may be required if you are working at a facility. Whether it be the YMCA, community pool, etc. Although depending on what pool you are working at they may also require you to attend their training’s and sessions, and it may be required of you if you will be associated with a well-known swimming organization.

Certifications are available, but it is up to the facility whether or not they are required.

Now contrary to popular belief, to be able to teach someone how to swim, you must know how to swim yourself.

You must be able to deliver basic instruction. In time the instructor will develop a personal technique, a technique that works for many.

They are open minded and know that not every person learns the same, so they should be able to accommodate different learning styles. Visual & audible for example. And know that learning a life skill in the water may take longer for each individual.

So should you pick a swim instructor with a WSI?

Well the answer will come with your preference. If you’d like your swim instructor to come prepped with a cookie cutter lesson plan, that does not necessarily cater to you, but everyone, or a swim instructor with many years experience of teaching in the water and adjusts technique, identifies safety skills, and is connected with you/your child/or whomever is being instructed.

Then it is not required, but if it is your preference and important to you then there is nothing wrong with seeking instructors that have them. You may just find them at community pools or swim schools.