For Local Blog in MinneapolisBur Bur and Friends Swimming Lessons: Parenting Do’s and Don’ts
August 16th, 2007
By Andy Murray, swim instructor and coach
As a swimming instructor for the past 15 years, I've experienced a lot when it comes to first lessons with young children. It's not just about what's happening IN the pool, but also poolside. Here are some tips for parents that can help make the most of your child's early pool and swimming lessons.
Do ask questions about the program and instructors Make sure you are comfortable with the staff. Talk to other parents and children involved in the program. The best report card a program can get is that the parents are happy with the child's progress and that the children are just happy about swimming.
Don't ask questions at the beginning or during the lesson This will delay the instruction as well as be a safety issue, since you are distracting the staff from watching your child. Do encourage your swimmer Positive encouragement and questions about your swimmer's lessons will let them know you think this is important and you are interested in their progress.
Don't criticize your swimmer about slow progress or mistakes made at lessons This will make your swimmer more anxious about the lessons.
Do get your swimmer a floatie or bubble to use when in the water outside of lessons The swimmer should always use the flotation device until he/she can float well. Even with a flotation device, the swimmer should never be unsupervised.
Don't have the first swim lesson be your child's first time in a pool Get them comfortable with water before starting lessons.
Do swim and play in the water with your child Showing your child that swimming is fun and something you like will give them another reason to want to learn to swim. Have your child show you some things they learned in lessons, but don't turn it into another lesson.
Don't expect miracles It may take years for your child to go from blowing bubbles to the butterfly stroke. Don't get discouraged or anxious and give up on lessons. Once your child learns to swim, it will be a lifelong skill that has great benefits.
Do enroll your child in swim lessons in the winter Most swim lesson programs run year-round and there are several reasons why the winter is a good time to start lessons. Winter lessons will give your child several months to learn before summer and classes may be smaller/easy to get into since winter is not when people typically think of swimming. There is no reason not to. The water is always the same temperature and your child will not catch a cold from being in the pool in the winter. Do encourage your children to practice outside of lessons This can be accomplished at a community swimming pool, a friend's swimming pool or in the bathtub.
Andy Murray is the founder of www.SwimLessonInfo.com a children's swim lesson resource Web site. He has taught children's swimming lessons for 15 years. He also coaches a youth swim team in Boston, Mass.
