Question 1

How old should my child be to start swim lessons?

Accepted Answer

Children can begin learning essential water safety skills, such as floating, as early as six months of age. Behavioral science supports this timeline, noting that once a baby reaches six months or achieves developmental milestones like sitting and crawling, their sensory motor systems can retain learned information. This means that if a baby inadvertently finds their way to water, they are more likely to use these skills to save themselves from what could otherwise be a water-related tragedy. Introducing water safety early fosters competence, familiarity and comfort in the water, laying the foundation for future skill development.

Question 2

Will my child become afraid of the water?

Accepted Answer

The most successful swim families have discovered how to weave swim or float skills into regular, routine water exposure, turning it into a fun experience for everyone. It simply becomes "what you do" in the water. This approach not only normalizes the skill set but also helps create confident, strong swimmers at a young age.

Parents, your role is to take everything you’ve learned and make it part of your family’s new water lifestyle. Adopting a matter-of-fact attitude will help your child’s new skills feel natural—just another part of swim time. The words you use and the expressions you share will shape a fun, happy environment, making the experience enjoyable for your child and the entire family.  By doing this, you’re fostering a lifelong love of swimming while reinforcing vital water safety skills.

Question 3

What is the reason my child should not swim in a flotation device?

Accepted Answer

Flotation devices are not intended and are not U.S. Coast Guard approved for swimming. While they are often marketed as suitable for swimming, a closer examination of the fine print will reveal that these devices are only U.S. Coast Guard approved for CLASS III Personal Flotation Device (PFD) use. Life jackets, Puddle Jumpers, water wings, or any type of flotation device are specifically designed for quick rescue in open water situations, not for swimming or swim training.

It is crucial to understand the difference between marketing claims and the actual intended use of these products. When used for swimming, flotation devices can provide a false sense of security to both the parent and the child. This can lead to overconfidence and potentially dangerous situations in the water.

Moreover, these devices encourage a vertical posture in the water, which is counterproductive for learning proper swimming techniques. Effective swimming requires a horizontal position to maintain buoyancy and mobility. Relying on flotation devices for swimming can delay the development of these essential skills. In fact, the vertical posturing associated with these devices can increase the likelihood of drowning if the child finds themselves in a situation without the device.

To ensure water safety, parents and caregivers should prioritize supervised swim lessons that teach proper swimming skills. Understanding the limitations of flotation devices and their appropriate use is key to keeping children safe around water.

Question 4

Why We Avoid Bubble Blowing

Accepted Answer

While blowing bubbles might seem fun, it teaches the opposite of what we want children to learn. Bubble blowing reinforces the idea of exhaling air when water touches their face, which can create an unsafe situation in the water. Instead, we focus on breath-holding as the foundation of water safety.

Question 5

Why Are Lessons Every Day and Less Than 10 Minutes?

Accepted Answer

The structure of these lessons is intentional and rooted in how children learn best. Here’s why:

1. Daily Repetition Builds Muscle Memory. Water safety is a sensory-motor skill, much like learning to walk or ride a bike. Daily lessons provide consistent, repetitive practice that helps children retain and refine their skills quickly and effectively.
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1. Short Lessons. Young children have short attention spans. Keeping lessons brief allows us to focus on quality over quantity, ensuring your child stays engaged and learns effectively. Learning new water skills can be physically demanding for little ones. Short lessons prevent fatigue and help your child perform at their best.  Also, for children who may feel anxious or hesitant in the water, shorter lessons minimize stress while maintaining progress.  The combination of short, focused, daily sessions leads to faster skill acquisition compared to traditional weekly lessons. Most children master these essential water safety skills within just a few weeks.

By sticking to this format, we create an optimal learning environment that balances your child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. This structure ensures they learn and retain life-saving skills as quickly, efficiently, and happily as possible.

Question 6

Program Costs - Why Are the Lessons Priced This Way?

Accepted Answer

The cost of these lessons reflects the specialized training, expertise, and individualized attention that your child receives as part of our comprehensive water safety program. Here are some key factors that contribute to the cost:

1. Highly Trained Independent Instructors. Independent water safety instructors listed in Miss Julie’s referral section (https://watersafeswim.com/referrals#local-referral-list)have completed comprehensive training in the Water Safe Swim Method and child development. Their advanced education and certification ensure the highest standard of instruction for every child.
2. Individualized Attention. Lessons are tailored specifically to your child’s needs, ensuring the most effective and efficient learning experience.
3. Comprehensive Curriculum. This program teaches life-saving skills that your child can use in any water environment—not just a pool. The curriculum is designed to build competence and confidence, providing long-term benefits.
4. Small Class Sizes. A one on one instructor-to-child ratio ensures that your child gets the focused attention they need to succeed.
5. Beyond Lesson Time. The cost includes more than just the time spent in the water. It covers instructor preparation, lesson planning, skill evaluations, and ongoing communication with families to support your child’s progress.
6. Life-Saving Value. These lessons are not just about swimming; they are about equipping your child with skills that could save their life. That value is immeasurable.

Investing in this program is investing in your child’s safety and confidence in and around the water for years to come.

Question 7

I’m not sure how many weeks is a good fit for my child .. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

If you’re unsure which session length is best for your child, we’re here to help. The Water Safe Swim Method is an individually tailored program designed to ensure the greatest success for your child and family. By reaching out to the instructor you choose, they can guide you through the decision-making process with a few simple questions.

Don’t hesitate to contact Miss Julie (https://www.watersafeswim.com/contact-form)— she's happy to assist in finding the perfect fit for your child’s needs and goals.

Question 8

Why no food 3 hours before swim class?

Accepted Answer

We ask that children avoid eating for 3 hours before swim lessons to ensure
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 their comfort, safety, and optimal learning experience.

Here’s why:  Swimming involves physical exertion, and a full stomach can lead to discomfort, stomach aches, or bloating. This can distract your child and make the lesson less effective.

Undigested food in the stomach can be brought up during swimming due to pressure changes in the abdomen from movement and breath control exercises. This can result in burping up the undigested food, which is unpleasant for the child and disrupts the lesson.  While it may be challenging to restrict food for 3 hours before lessons, it’s a small sacrifice that ensures your child has a smooth, effective, and enjoyable swimming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Swim Lessons Save Lives.