Learning how to swim is an important milestone in a child's life, so it stands to reason that the way in which he or she is taught plays a major role in determining how positive this experience will be. When considering enrolling their infants in baby swim lessons West Chester PA patents should follow these guidelines.
At this young age, the pace of the classes must be fairly slow, and each child should be permitted to develop swimming skills at his or her own rate of learning. Lessons for children of this age should incorporate lively songs and games and colorful water toys to further enhance the experience. Instructors need to be very patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic to convey the right attitude to their pupils and make them feel at ease.
Group learning can be particularly effective for this age group, children enjoy socializing together and seeing others also becoming familiar with swimming can help them learn. Usually termed "parent and tot" classes, each group consists of a small number of children accompanied by a parent, lead by an instructor. The adults also enjoy the social aspect of this format, and overall it promotes a sense of unity but simultaneously accommodates individual progress.
Private lessons are another option, in which each child while accompanied by a parent, receives individual instruction from the swimming teacher. This can be an effective way to learn and master aquatic skills, as long as the child is allowed to move according to his or her own pace and does not feel pressured. The lesson must embrace a "baby-friendly" approach and should not last for more than 30 minutes.
Not only is it much safer for young children to learn with a parent alongside them, but it also makes the strange, new world of water seem less intimidating if mom or dad is close by, it also serves as great bonding experience between parent and child. The parent is also better able to gauge the aquatic abilities of their child so they can later work with him or her at home and practice these new skills.
The temperature of the pool and the surrounding air also make a difference to the comfort level and performance of these young swimmers. Warm water, ideally between 90 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit, is most conducive to making babies feel at ease when they are in it. The air temperature should be warmer than 80 degrees. Baby-sized wetsuits and swim-caps can also be helpful in maintaining body warmth.
In terms of class frequency, at the introductory level, it is recommended that children attend four classes each week for the first month of instruction. Once basic water adjustment and breath control has been grasped, this number can be reduced somewhat to about two classes per week. If such frequent attendance is challenging to the schedules of parents, they can encourage the child to practice their new water skills at home during bath-time.
It's a good idea to ask other parents whom one knows if they can recommend some great swimming classes for young children, and then arrange to sit in on these lessons to observe how happy the participants are and if they seem to be learning. It's not enough to simply read a brochure or ask some question over the phone when it comes to one's child's safety and early experiences in the pool, it's necessary to check it out in person before signing up.
At this young age, the pace of the classes must be fairly slow, and each child should be permitted to develop swimming skills at his or her own rate of learning. Lessons for children of this age should incorporate lively songs and games and colorful water toys to further enhance the experience. Instructors need to be very patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic to convey the right attitude to their pupils and make them feel at ease.
Group learning can be particularly effective for this age group, children enjoy socializing together and seeing others also becoming familiar with swimming can help them learn. Usually termed "parent and tot" classes, each group consists of a small number of children accompanied by a parent, lead by an instructor. The adults also enjoy the social aspect of this format, and overall it promotes a sense of unity but simultaneously accommodates individual progress.
Private lessons are another option, in which each child while accompanied by a parent, receives individual instruction from the swimming teacher. This can be an effective way to learn and master aquatic skills, as long as the child is allowed to move according to his or her own pace and does not feel pressured. The lesson must embrace a "baby-friendly" approach and should not last for more than 30 minutes.
Not only is it much safer for young children to learn with a parent alongside them, but it also makes the strange, new world of water seem less intimidating if mom or dad is close by, it also serves as great bonding experience between parent and child. The parent is also better able to gauge the aquatic abilities of their child so they can later work with him or her at home and practice these new skills.
The temperature of the pool and the surrounding air also make a difference to the comfort level and performance of these young swimmers. Warm water, ideally between 90 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit, is most conducive to making babies feel at ease when they are in it. The air temperature should be warmer than 80 degrees. Baby-sized wetsuits and swim-caps can also be helpful in maintaining body warmth.
In terms of class frequency, at the introductory level, it is recommended that children attend four classes each week for the first month of instruction. Once basic water adjustment and breath control has been grasped, this number can be reduced somewhat to about two classes per week. If such frequent attendance is challenging to the schedules of parents, they can encourage the child to practice their new water skills at home during bath-time.
It's a good idea to ask other parents whom one knows if they can recommend some great swimming classes for young children, and then arrange to sit in on these lessons to observe how happy the participants are and if they seem to be learning. It's not enough to simply read a brochure or ask some question over the phone when it comes to one's child's safety and early experiences in the pool, it's necessary to check it out in person before signing up.
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To sign up for regular baby swim lessons West Chester PA parents are welcome to use our online page. Find here the registration info and class schedules at http://www.westchesterswimlessons.com.
