Swim Tips
Learning to swim can be a dramatic experience for any new swimmer. The unknown space, the depth of the water, and the feeling of falling downward. Many parents don’t realize this and unknowingly throw the child in the water, or force a child into learning sooner than they are ready.
This may lead the child to resist learning to swim or keep them from being around water. Learning to swim is different for every swimmer. Every swimmer is unique and learns at a different pace.
Suntastic Swim School takes this seriously and understands how to read variety of students. Our instructors at will gently bring the swimmer outside their comfort zone each lesson, but NOT to initiate fear. A gradual progression is most often the most successful.
This may lead the child to resist learning to swim or keep them from being around water. Learning to swim is different for every swimmer. Every swimmer is unique and learns at a different pace.
Suntastic Swim School takes this seriously and understands how to read variety of students. Our instructors at will gently bring the swimmer outside their comfort zone each lesson, but NOT to initiate fear. A gradual progression is most often the most successful.
Floaties
These devices actually handicap a child’s progress for proper swimming. Though parents use these with good intentions, the problem lies in the fact that floaties are designed to keep the child vertical in the water. When floaties are taken off, the child instinctively tries to kick the same way, and this kick forces the swimmer down under water where even greater fear sets in.
Swimming vertically in the water is incredibly inefficient and tires you very quickly. Floaties also create a false sense of comfort in both the child and the parent, even though each pair is printed with the warning, "Not to be used as a lifesaving device."
There are many risks of floatation devices. They can slide off, pop or deflate, but the real reason to discourage their use is that they do not teach children the correct body position or movement in order to swim. Children who’ve not used floaties tend to learn about two to three times faster than the floaties kids.
Swimming vertically in the water is incredibly inefficient and tires you very quickly. Floaties also create a false sense of comfort in both the child and the parent, even though each pair is printed with the warning, "Not to be used as a lifesaving device."
There are many risks of floatation devices. They can slide off, pop or deflate, but the real reason to discourage their use is that they do not teach children the correct body position or movement in order to swim. Children who’ve not used floaties tend to learn about two to three times faster than the floaties kids.
Water Temperature
86 degrees minimum, 90-94 ideal, says the United States Swim School Association, an organization of over 250 swim schools nationwide. Because of the liquid medium, a pool feels about 20 degrees cooler than air temperature to a child.
A 90 degree pool is like 70 degree air. The focus should be on the learning. Shivering and blue lips make for less effective retention.
A 90 degree pool is like 70 degree air. The focus should be on the learning. Shivering and blue lips make for less effective retention.
How quickly will my child learn to swim?
Every child learns to swim at his or her own pace. How quickly a child learns depends on many different factors. Learning is fun and successful when you make it a consistent priority. Similar to piano or any practiced talent, learning to swim is a progression of skills that take time to coequal with your child’s age, ability and attitude.
Even though we are a seasonal swim school, we encourage year-round swimming. We recommend children to take at least 2-3 times a week when beginning lessons. We do our best to accommodate your needs, as we realize schedules do change. Our instructors are available Monday-Saturday.
Even though we are a seasonal swim school, we encourage year-round swimming. We recommend children to take at least 2-3 times a week when beginning lessons. We do our best to accommodate your needs, as we realize schedules do change. Our instructors are available Monday-Saturday.
What if my child cries?
Crying is a typical response, it is also natural for the child to want to be with the parent. Many times this crying is not a fear of the water, but separation anxiety. You must remember that your child is in a new environment with a new person.
It is not unusual for the child to cry the first few weeks. It takes time and patience. Our experienced instructors use a calming approach for these situations. Every time the child has a lesson, the child will become more comfortable and will acclimate to their new environment.
It is not unusual for the child to cry the first few weeks. It takes time and patience. Our experienced instructors use a calming approach for these situations. Every time the child has a lesson, the child will become more comfortable and will acclimate to their new environment.
Should I stay or should I go?
Often parents ask, “Will it be a distraction if I stay and watch”? Although many children are comfortable and can’t wait to get into the pool, there are children whom will become distracted by having the parent or guardian watch.
Our instructors often tell the parent or guardian to watch in an area where you can see the child, but they can’t see you. Our goal is to have the child focus on the instructor and what they are learning in the pool. It is important for your child to form a trustworthy relationship with his or her instructor.
Our instructors often tell the parent or guardian to watch in an area where you can see the child, but they can’t see you. Our goal is to have the child focus on the instructor and what they are learning in the pool. It is important for your child to form a trustworthy relationship with his or her instructor.
Distractions, excessive noise or stimulus in the environment inhibits learning.
This is why some parents opt for in-home lessons rather than public lessons. On one hand, public lessons can be a great social scene for both parents and kids, and this works for some.
For others, however, trust of the water is built more easily in one’s own pool or in a noise free setting.
For others, however, trust of the water is built more easily in one’s own pool or in a noise free setting.
During lesson time Suntastic Swim School makes sure things are kept fun and playful.
Children’s attention spans are short. Suntastic Swim School will bring water toys, etc. to engage the learning process and make it fun. When it comes to effective teaching, it’s 75% enthusiasm and 25% educated skill.
ALL children in lessons WILL learn to swim eventually. It is a learning process that takes some children longer than others. Enjoy the process, and enjoy the child’s achievements along the way. Let water learning be a safe and enjoyable experience and the rewards will last a lifetime.
ALL children in lessons WILL learn to swim eventually. It is a learning process that takes some children longer than others. Enjoy the process, and enjoy the child’s achievements along the way. Let water learning be a safe and enjoyable experience and the rewards will last a lifetime.
At what age can my child be brought in the water?
Suntastic Swim School recommends that children as young as 6 months begin to take swim lessons. The earlier the child starts, the more likely they are to accept the water, learn to swim and overcome their fear. Suntastic Swim School makes it a fun experience.
Keeping the water temperature between 90-94 degrees is highly recommended for young children.
Keeping the water temperature between 90-94 degrees is highly recommended for young children.
Should my child use goggles while learning to swim?
Goggles are ok for 3 year olds and up during lessons—IF they fit well and don’t leak much. We encourage parents to get quality goggles, like FINIS for children.
A decent, quality pair of goggles can be very useful in the early stages of learning swimming. Goggles are highly recommended for the adult and learn to swim programs.
A decent, quality pair of goggles can be very useful in the early stages of learning swimming. Goggles are highly recommended for the adult and learn to swim programs.