Gilbert, AZ
All of our students are doing a great job learning to be safer in the pool. Each of them are working diligently on their five goals, so they can become more confident and move to the next level. I know parents (and sometimes students) get impatient, and want to get to the next level, but it is really important for our students to master the five goals of their current level.
Each goal is set up as a progression for the next. Reading involves learning the ABCs, then how they each sound, then putting them together to make words, then reading with fluency. The five goals of our lessons are the same…they each lead to the next step to become swimmers. It is important not to skip a step, or swimming with “fluency” will be harder to master. Children also learn best through practice and repetition. Every week, we work on the same skills, and spend time with each student so they can master their goals.
If your child is doing well, but stuck on a particular skill, you can always add a private lesson or two so we can work on that specific goal. We do work specifically with each student during our lessons, and practice the skills they need to master their goals, but sometimes an extra little boost, working a full half hour on one specific skill helps a student over the “hump”.
Just remember that our first goal is making your children safer around water. We want them to be able to handle falling into deep water, and get to the side safely. We then build on those skills, teaching your child each stroke, and working on their endurance.
Keep in mind, if you take some time off, students forget some of their skills, and may need to re-learn a few things when they return. Small children will sometimes develop a fear they didn’t have the previous year. It is best to keep swimming part of your yearly schedule, even if only once per week.
Keep Swimming!
