- We have never used swimming aids before. Why do have to here, we don't want to?
- Why do you use games/play instead of making my child work?
- Is it wrong to continue the lesson if my child is crying?
- Why do you recommend group lessons instead of one-on-one?
- Why is my 5-year old in a group of 7-year olds?
- Why is swimming during winter so important?
- Why is routine important? Can’t we attend when it suits us?
- When do I get out of the pool and leave swimming lessons up to the teacher?
- To see my child playing up or crying, only I know why. Should I go over and comfort him?
- Why is it best for parents to be outside the pool area during the lesson?
Q1. We have never used swimming aids before. Why do have to here, we don't want to?
A. The method of teaching that we use has been proved highly successful over many years. Our method supports the natural desire and necessity of children to move about independently as nature intended. It is impossible to enjoy autonomy if you are being held. Not only that, but natural balance and buoyancy is impeded and therefore delayed. When babies are given swimming aids, freedom of movement is encouraged, they immediately start learning a life skill. They begin to cope with water on their own while we are no longer restraining but just at their side ensuring their safety and comfort. Once the baby or child discovers the art of self-propulsion, their confidence is assured. We use only specially selected swimming aids according to age, level of experience in water and physiology of the pupil.
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Q2. Why do you use games/play instead of making my child work?
A. Play is an important form of learning for everyone. Play and fun are essential for the development of a child’s positive attitude towards his or her world. Such experiences help the child to stay interested and provide an opportunity to practice skills repeatedly. ‘Play is the work of children’.
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Q3. Is it wrong to continue the lesson if my child is crying?
A. Crying is a form of communication and children cry for many reasons. It is certainly worth staying in the pool to try and quieten the baby and find the reason so that you can fix it.
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Q4. Why do you recommend group lessons instead of one-on-one?
A. The average child is far more comfortable in a group of children than receiving one-on-one instruction. Attention is divided. The child relaxes more. Children are naturally competitive; therefore they generally do better and have more fun.
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Q5. Why is my 5-year old in a group of 7-year olds?
A. Your 5-year old will not compare ages but will try and do as well, if not better than the older children due to a child’s natural competitive nature. This motivates and stimulates desire to achieve equally or better.
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Q6. Why is swimming during winter so important?
A. Swimming is a skill that needs constant practice and honing to perfect. This can only be done if the swimmer is water-fit. Stopping during the winter interrupts water-fitness. If the weather is bad, children are generally kept indoors, do not get enough exercise, both resulting in diminished land-fitness.
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Q7. Why is routine important? Can’t we attend when it suits us?
A. Routine gives the child a sense of security. Children like to know their boundaries and when and what takes place. When it all takes place at the same time and in the same way, children are able to predict it. This gives children a sense of security and an amount of control in their lives.
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Q8. When do I get out of the pool and leave swimming lessons up to the teacher?
A. At around 2-years of age, your toddler will very likely be at a stage when ‘learning to breathe’ is taught. Two is the age that kids experiment with their power and how much they are able to manipulate and control. Mom or dad will not be able to deal with the emotional side of this, so teacher is best, particularly since this aspect of teaching requires experience. A good point to change over is after a holiday break or such.
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Q9. To see my child playing up or crying, only I know why. Should I go over and comfort him?
A. Not unless the teacher calls you over. Interference only serves to confuse matters and authority is divided. The teacher has been trained to deal with the situation.
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Q10. Why is it best for parents to be outside the pool area during the lesson?
A. Children require full concentration in any learning environment. Swimming lessons are no different. Any distraction whatsoever can be detrimental and time wasting. Being fully focused on the teacher will result in concentration and produce successful results.
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