Follow these tips, and it will make a major difference in your child’s progress!

1. Attend Class Consistently

Regular attendance is the foundation of progress. When your child attends his/her scheduled class consistently, both the coach and swimmer are more in tune with learning, and it shows in quicker results!

 2. Practice Outside of Lessons

Practice constantly. One estimate says that it takes 100 to 150 hours of consistent, year-round instruction for a child to learn how to swim (When the depth of the water doesn’t matter). Similar to learning how to read, children develop quicker when they follow up instruction time with practice outside of class.

3. Set Goals

Dream big! Do everything you can to present your swimmer with opportunities to succeed. Help them set swim goals that are unique to them. Encourage them not to worry about the progress of a friend or brother/sister.

 4. Don’t Give Up!

Sometimes it may seem as though your child has taken a few steps back. This is a natural part of the learning process. It is important that you remain positive and consistent, and don’t allow them to give up. Reinforce the goals that were established at the beginning of the process.

 5. Swim Throughout the Year

Aside from promoting overall health and fitness, keeping your child swimming year round is the best way to sustain their confidence in the water and reduce the risk of drowning. Year round swimmers retain a healthy respect for water safety and build skills way beyond those of seasonal swimmers.

Remember, as a swim parent, you serve a vital role in your swimmer’s success. Your attitude toward a swim program, a swim coach and your child’s attendance are all factors in their success. Learning to swim is a challenging yet rewarding investment. When it comes right down to it, learning to swim is a life skill that can actually save a life.