Frequently Asked Questions
What approach do you use to teach a child or adult to swim?
I use a developmental approach to help a person master all of the skills needed to swim. A progression of motor skills, sensory input, as well as integration of primitive reflexes make up the various components essential to develop swim skills. Incrementally, I break down each step of swimming and continually assess the swimmer's progress from one lesson to the next lesson. Once a swimmer has mastered a specific skill, then he or she is guided to the next skill.
How old does my child need to be to take swim lessons with you?
I have worked with children as young as two years of age. When I work with a two year old, the focus is to help a child gain comfort in the water, learn to put his or her face in the water, submerge his or her head and work in pre-swim positions. Developmentally, a two year old is not typically ready to become an independent swimmer. Some three year olds are ready to learn to swim. Usually, four year olds are developmentally ready to learn and to coordinate all of the various components towards independence in the water. Some children are not ready to learn all of the skills until after the age of four. Each person is unique and learns at different rates. Through my evaluation process, I am able to determine a swimmer's needs.
How many lessons does my child need, in order to become a safe and independent swimmer?
Given my proven methods of teaching, on average a child needs about fifteen lessons to become a safe and independent swimmer. Some children need less than fifteen lessons and some children need more than fifteen lessons. There are a number of factors that I consider, which include: how old the child is when they first work with me; a child's previous exposure to the water and their current skill level.
For example, a child may not be comfortable putting his or her face in the water. The child may not know how to blow bubbles in the water or know how to blow bubbles with his or her face in the water. These are the first steps of learning to swim. Gaining comfort, confidence and competence with these skills may take multiple sessions. Until these skills are integrated, a child cannot effectively move on to learn other skills.
How long is each swim lesson?
Each lesson is typically thirty minutes. There are situations where I may suggest that a swimmer work with me for an extended period of up to an hour.
How many lessons do you recommend per week?
Like any sport or developing motor task, the more the skills are practiced and "coached" the quicker the new motor skill is learned. At least one lesson per week is recommended. If a child is able to come twice a week that is ideal. There have been situations where a child worked with me five days a week for two or three weeks in a row. Continuity is imperative.
Do you offer group lessons?
NO! A child needs the full time allotted to maximize the benefits of each lesson. I also need to give my complete attention to a child and cannot do that if I am watching other children.
Do you require the child to bring or use any equipment during the swim lesson?
I do NOT use flotation devices. The child and I work on pool steps when he or she is not yet able to swim. I hold the child if we are working off of the steps. I recommend that a child learn to wear goggles, as it is more effective when he or she is learning to put his or her face in the water to blow bubbles or to carry out pre-swimming activities that require the head to be submerged. I suggest each child have his/her own pair of goggles. Sometimes, I will have a child use fins, which provides a mechanical advantage for the body to stay on the surface of the water. Fins are introduced after a child becomes an independent swimmer.
Do you want the parents present during the swim lesson?
YES! I encourage parents to attend swim lessons. Once I have assessed what a child's needs are, I will explain what the goals are for a swimmer and what techniques I am going to use to help a child accomplish the identified goals. Sometimes, I will invite a parent to join the swimmer and me in the pool so that the parent can learn certain techniques and practice these skills with their child.
What kind of work do you do with adults?
The principles and techniques that I use when I teach a child to swim are applied when I teach an adult to swim. I also work with recreational swimmers who seek help with various swim skills. Triathletes have also sought my services where I coach them on how to refine swim techniques in preparation for the swim stage of a triathlon.