Why are lessons 5 days per week and for only 10 minutes?
The reason for this is multifaceted. First, repetition and consistency are crucial elements of learning for
young children. Research shows that short, more frequent lessons result in higher retention. Second,
most children have fairly short attention spans and will not be able to focus on the task for longer and
we want to take advantage of the best time for learning. A third reason is that, though the pool
temperature is maintained at 78-88 degrees, the temperature is still lower than your child's body
temperature. Lessons are work and therefore will also be losing body heat. Instructors check students
regularly for temperature fatigue since this is an indicator of physical fatigue.
Can’t babies swim naturally?
Unfortunately, babies cannot naturally swim. If this were the case, there wouldn’t be so many drownings
every year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Accident Prevention, drowning is the leading
cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4 in the United States.
Will my child need additional lessons?
Based on our research, we know that refresher lessons are important because children change so much
both cognitively and physically during the first 0-5 years of life. It is important that their water survival
skills grow with their bodies. Frequency depends on the child's age, growth rate, skill level and
confidence level. The goal of refresher lessons is to help your child adjust his/her new body size and
weight to his/her existing skill level. Your instructor will work with your child to help fine-tune his or her
aquatic experience to assist with building efficiency, which will result in self-confidence. This is especially
important if your child has not been able to practice any appropriate aquatic skill between seasons.
What is the American Academy of Pediatrics position on swimming lessons for young children?
The AAP encourages parents to consider that starting water-survival skills training at an early age must
be individualized, based on the child's frequency of exposure to water, emotional maturity, physical
limitations and health concerns related to swimming pools. You can view their policies and suggestions
through the AAP website here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-
play/Pages/Swim-Lessons.aspx