We get a lot of questions from parents about how swim lessons work and what to expect.
Here are some of our frequently asked questions as we head into swim lesson season this summer!
Is it normal for children to repeat swim levels?
It is important for children to have lots of exposure to an environment to practice skills for them to improve. We have your children for 10 classes; those classes range from 30-60 minutes. If parents don’t have time to bring their children swimming outside of lessons to practice skills, have fun and get used to being in the water (because children practice their skills through play), they will take longer to progress through the levels. It is normal to repeat a level a couple of times. If your child is stuck on one particular skill, ask your instructor how best to help them master it.
Is it okay to take a break in-between sessions?
Depending on your child’s growth cycle, sometimes they are growing into their bodies and lack coordination. Often children just need to grow and mature before they are physically ready to do certain skills. We encourage all kids to keep practicing their skills through play and return to lessons when they’re ready.
Why do performance criteria need to be “mastered” to complete a level?
When children have items on their report card that are not checked off, it means they did not yet demonstrate that skill three times to their instructor. Mastery means being able to perform the skill as if it came naturally, i.e. every time you ask, they can do it perfectly. They need to master the skills in one level before moving to the next level.
Can’t I just register my child in the next level?
If your child did not complete a level, then it is recommended to repeat that level. The skills in the next level will be more difficult – longer distance swims, deep water exposure, etc. – and it would put your child, as well as the others in the class, at risk if they do not have the skills to participate fully. Or it could hold everyone in the class back as the instructor has to spend more time working on skills that should have been achieved in the previous level.
Can my child wear goggles for lessons?
It is important to let your child be comfortable in the water without goggles. We know goggles are very helpful with some children during lessons, and we don’t have a problem if they choose to wear them; however, we are concerned about children becoming dependent on using goggles. They should be able to swim without goggles and still be comfortable in the water. Should they ever fall into water unexpectedly, i.e. fall off a dock, or jump off a diving board and their goggles fall off, we want them to be able to swim to safety with ease.
Parent Talk Days
The last five minutes of the 6th class are designated as time to chat with your child’s instructor about their progress – we call it Parent Talk Day. Although this specific day was put aside for the purpose of relaying information, it can happen before or after any class. The swim classes have been scheduled to have five minutes in between each class. So if you have questions or are curious about how your child is doing, feel free to talk to their instructor before or after class on ANY day.
Reach out and get in touch with our swimming experts anytime by calling 780-948-3205 or emailing info@trileisure.com.
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