- How many pupils per class?
- Who benefits from private lessons?
- How long does it take to learn to swim?
- Why can children often cry when taken in the water?
- How often do we need to take our child to a pool to practice?
- How long should we practice for?
- Can I feed my child before the lesson?
- Why can’t we practice in another pool before coming to swim?
- What is next, once a child can swim?
- My child doesn’t want to wear a swimming cap - why does he have to?
- Must we phone if we are not attending a lesson?
- How long is the duration of the lesson?
Q1. How many pupils per class?
A. No more than 5 mothers and babies in a baby swim class
Up to 4 non-swimmers per class. Up to 6 swimmers per class
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Q2. Who benefits from private lessons?
A. Adults. Children who require special attention, who are easily distracted or very nervous of water. Anyone requiring to perfect particular areas of swimming within a certain time period or require preparation for a special event such as a gala or scuba diving test, etc.
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Q3. How long does it take to learn to swim?
A. This is entirely dependant on the person, however the method that we use results in generally shorter learning periods. Babies of a few months will learn over a course of 2-3 years to have full control of breathing and most often will be able to swim independently over a 10 meter distance.
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Q5. Why can children often cry when taken in the water?
A. Introducing something new is often cause for concern in a baby or small child’s life. Be it a new skill, new face or new environment. By crying, a baby communicates that there is cause for concern. It is up to the parent and or the teacher to dispel any irrational worry and comfort and distract the pupil.
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Q6. How often do we need to take our child to a pool to practice?
A. Frequency has a huge effect on physical and mental development. The more practice, the better.
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Q7. How long should we practice for?
A. Never overdo. Always leave them wanting more.
About 10-15 minutes up until 3 years then free playtime.
About 20-30 minutes from 3 upwards then free playtime.
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Q8. Can I feed my child before the lesson?
A. In the case of infants – breast milk is perfect. Anything else should not be consumed less than ½ an hour before lessons and certainly nothing oily or greasy. Children do not chew the necessary amount of time for sufficient digestion, so any food swallowed whole is likely to be expelled. Children swallow air when swimming and this all creates too much wind for a little stomach. In addition, any air swallowed whilst in the water aggravates the situation.
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Q9. Why can’t we practice in another pool before coming to swim?
A. The child will become too tired and over-exposed to learn and digest more of same activity for the day.
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Q10. What is next, once a child can swim?
A. Once your toddler is able to swim a 12-metre distance without stopping, in other words, swimming comfortably and happily with controlled breathing, we start introducing “style and technique”.
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Q11. My child doesn’t want to wear a swimming cap - why does he have to?
A. Caps are not only required to prevent hair from falling into children’s faces but also to prevent hair from blocking the filtration of the pool. Mothers with long hair are required to tie it up or wear a cap if going under water.
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Q12. Must we phone if we are not attending a lesson?
A. A call is always appreciated even if left on the answering machine.
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Q13. How long is the duration of the lesson?
A. Parent and baby lessons are for a ½-hour. Structure and play interspersed throughout. Teacher and pupil lessons comprise of 20-25 minutes of structured lessons and then 5 minutes of play, which is important, as it allows time for pupils to process and experiment with what they have learnt. A ½-hour (30 minutes) is allocated for one-on-one lessons. However, there is usually only 20 minutes of structure, which allows a child to maintain concentration, so 10 minutes of free-play is allowed, which is equally important. Not only does this end the lesson on a feel-good note, the pupil is eager to return. Much effort is spent in play as the pupil integrates new material.
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