How to Choose a Swim Instructor and Class
with
Kathy Moore
Learn-to-swim programs are offered at health clubs, community centers, and schools, but how do you know which type of class is best for your child? Learn what you should look for to find the best swim class for your situation.
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Transcript: How to Choose a Swim Instructor and Class
Hi, I am Kathy Moore for About.com. Every child should learn how to swim but do you know what to look for in a swim instructor? This program will help you choose a swim instruction program for your child.Learn-to-swim programs are offered by health clubs, community centers, park boards and schools but it is not always easy to know what to look for. Chrissy Roering is a certified swim instructor and founder of Safe Swim Minnesota a private swim school for people of all ages and abilities.
What to Look for in a Swim Program
"In any swim program you are looking for the ability to make a child feel comfortable in the water. A good swim instructor is someone who is passionate about what they are teaching. You will want to look for small class sizes, instructors who have a WSI certification or a rigorous training program through the school. Knowing those things and being passionate about the ability to swim I think is a big skill that people should have when they are teaching swim lessons."Swim Class Sizes
Chrissy recommends avoiding programs with more than about 4 students per class."When a class size is too large the teacher is basically trying to make sure everyone is safe the whole time and you are not getting as much interaction with actual swimming. Small classes help children see other people their age doing the activities in the water. One on one instruction can be helpful especially for students that have a fear of the water but you only get to see what the instructor can do. But when they see a person their age doing it, it is a confidence booster."
Parent Participation in Swim Class
For children old enough to take lessons on their own, some swim programs allow the parents to be poolside during lessons while others encourage parents to stay away. Chrissy thinks parent participation is a more effective model."I encourage parents to participate in the swimming lessons. When a child does something for the first time or swims a little bit farther, it is very encouraging for them when not only I cheer them on but when the parent is there to see and clap and cheer as well. It really gives the student the drive to want to do it again or work harder the next time when they do it."
No matter which swim instruction program you choose, know that by teaching your child to swim, you will be giving them a healthy gift that can last a lifetime. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at About.com.