With summer around the corner, many children think about having fun at their local swimming pool. For many, however, they do not have the skills necessary to swim. A great idea is to sign up your son or daughter for swimming lessons during the summer time. Some community recreational centers provide swim lessons all year round, whereas outdoor community pools provide lessons during the summer time. Before you consider signing up your son or daughter for swimming lessons you need to consider which type of lesson best meets your child's needs.
Swimming Lesson Options
Listed below are different swimming lesson options:
- Infant and toddler programs teach little ones how to become more familiar with the pool (most programs require that you are present)
- Two-week swimming programs (ages 3 and up) that meet 30 to 45 minutes daily
- Weekly swimming lessons throughout the summer (ages 3 and up)
- Weekly swimming lessons throughout the school year (ages 3 and up)
No matter which type of swimming lesson your son or daughter participates in, it is always important to do the following:
- Ask about which type of training the swim instructor is certified in (i.e. American Red Cross Life Guard training)
- Share information with the swim instructor when you sign your child up to let him/her know about your child's previous swimming experiences, fears (especially in regards to water), etc.
- After sharing the information, ask the swim instructor which class to sign your child up for and/or determine whether or not your child is ready to begin lessons.
- Talk with other parents that have children enrolled at the swimming instruction site to receive their input
When you do decide to sign your child up for swimming lessons, you can check into signing your son or daughter up at your local YWCA/YMCA, outdoor community swimming pool, indoor recreational facility, etc. It is important to note that if your son or daughter is in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts they can enroll in an intensive swimming instruction at their summer camp (i.e. for Boy Scouts, boys can pursue the merit badge of swimming, but must be able to be a decent swimmer to do so). Swimming lessons can help better prepare your child to learn basic swimming techniques and strokes that could help them in an emergency situation as well as learn how to enjoy the swimming pool (as well as learn how to be safe).
