A love for swimming is something that can be instilled in a child as early as infancy. These first experiences with water must be positive if the child is to continue to enjoy swimming and eventually master it. If interested in baby swim lessons West Chester PA parents need to be aware of these key points that will help them find the best classes.
Classes should be paced slowly, allowing each child to learn and acquire new abilities at his or her own speed. Teachers must demonstrate exceptional patience and enthusiasm to create an encouraging learning environment centered around fun. Babies and toddlers respond particularly well when lessons implement colorful toys, and lively games and songs to stimulate their senses.
The group class is a good choice for children of this age, as they can learn from one another and enjoy the social interaction at the same time. This format is often referred to as "parent and tot" classes, and it serves as a good opportunity for moms and dads to socialize as well as their children. Learning swimming skills as a group generates an overall sense of support and unity but also allows for individual progress and development.
If private instruction is preferred, this is another option for learning to swim. The parent and child are paired up with a teacher who provides individual attention. This can be a good way to learn, as long as the child is not pressured and the teaching method employed uses a baby-friendly technique and is no more than half-hour long.
The presence of mom or dad, or another adult caregiver goes a long way in reassuring children as they become accustomed to moving about in the water. It adds to their sense of security, and also acts as a valuable opportunity for bonding. This also familiarizes the parents with the child's swimming progress, so they can help him or her practice at home, or anywhere there is a pool.
The temperature of the pool and the surrounding air also make a difference to the comfort level and performance of these young swimmers. Warm water, ideally between 90 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit, is most conducive to making babies feel at ease when they are in it. The air temperature should be warmer than 80 degrees. Baby-sized wetsuits and swim-caps can also be helpful in maintaining body warmth.
At the beginner level, it is recommended that these young swimmers attend classes four times per week for the first month of lessons. Afterwards, bi-weekly instruction is suggested. Short but frequent classes seem to be the most effective for this age group. Busy parents may not always be able to accommodate this schedule, in which case they can always practice with the child at home in the bathtub.
Before signing the child up for any swim classes, parents should talk to other moms and dads and find out which ones they would recommend, then sit in on these lessons to see for oneself if the children seem to be learning and happy there. Simply asking questions over the phone is not enough, observation is the best way to assess if the teacher and approach used measure up.
Classes should be paced slowly, allowing each child to learn and acquire new abilities at his or her own speed. Teachers must demonstrate exceptional patience and enthusiasm to create an encouraging learning environment centered around fun. Babies and toddlers respond particularly well when lessons implement colorful toys, and lively games and songs to stimulate their senses.
The group class is a good choice for children of this age, as they can learn from one another and enjoy the social interaction at the same time. This format is often referred to as "parent and tot" classes, and it serves as a good opportunity for moms and dads to socialize as well as their children. Learning swimming skills as a group generates an overall sense of support and unity but also allows for individual progress and development.
If private instruction is preferred, this is another option for learning to swim. The parent and child are paired up with a teacher who provides individual attention. This can be a good way to learn, as long as the child is not pressured and the teaching method employed uses a baby-friendly technique and is no more than half-hour long.
The presence of mom or dad, or another adult caregiver goes a long way in reassuring children as they become accustomed to moving about in the water. It adds to their sense of security, and also acts as a valuable opportunity for bonding. This also familiarizes the parents with the child's swimming progress, so they can help him or her practice at home, or anywhere there is a pool.
The temperature of the pool and the surrounding air also make a difference to the comfort level and performance of these young swimmers. Warm water, ideally between 90 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit, is most conducive to making babies feel at ease when they are in it. The air temperature should be warmer than 80 degrees. Baby-sized wetsuits and swim-caps can also be helpful in maintaining body warmth.
At the beginner level, it is recommended that these young swimmers attend classes four times per week for the first month of lessons. Afterwards, bi-weekly instruction is suggested. Short but frequent classes seem to be the most effective for this age group. Busy parents may not always be able to accommodate this schedule, in which case they can always practice with the child at home in the bathtub.
Before signing the child up for any swim classes, parents should talk to other moms and dads and find out which ones they would recommend, then sit in on these lessons to see for oneself if the children seem to be learning and happy there. Simply asking questions over the phone is not enough, observation is the best way to assess if the teacher and approach used measure up.
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