After Lessons
Congratulations on finishing your session!
This page will help you answer many of your “What Now” questions.
What kind of lessons should you do AFTER your initial session?
Your initial session is your child’s introduction to an age appropriate skillset that can potentially save themselves during an accidental fall in. Switching between other swim programs is not recommended until your child is ready for strokes—usually 5-6 years old.
After your initial session, you should use a combination of maintenance THEN refreshers to help your child grow into their bodies and new abilities.
Please feel free to switch between instructors if availability or a schedule-fit is an issue.
Floatation Use and Misuse
CHILDREN 4 AND UNDER SHOULD NEVER RECREATIONALLY WEAR A FLOAT TO HANG OUT IN THE POOL. IT WILL UNDUE SKILLS AS THEY WORK AS MUSCLE TRAINERS. HOLD YOUR CHILD AND LET THEM PRACTICE WITH YOU.
We recommend coast guard approved Life Jackets when
1) In open water-lakes, rivers, oceans
2) During non swim times. If you are at a pool and get out for any reason (examples—lunch, happy birthday singalongs, or getting ready to leave), put a life jacket on. Especially those wandering toddlers.
Please designate ONE PERSON who is responsible to take on/off a specific child’s life jacket.
That way there are no surprises that your child is unknowingly walking around without one. A lot of families have enjoyed the Hyperlite Brand which can also be found at Costco in Spring.
The only floats we recommend in water to “take a break” will have a mesh bottom.
Avoid floats that keep a child dangling at the water level in a vertical position. CAST has some great suggestions here:
Practicing
Practicing your child’s skills should be done in a safe, calm environment. You should always be within an arms reach of your child. An arm’s reach means you can get to your child within 4-7 seconds. I like to use the Stoplight method- RED LIGHT: your child is afraid and is adamant about not practicing. Just hold your child and hang out on the stair until they are more comfortable. YELLOW LIGHT: Your child is nervous but showing some interest. Practice small and easy presentations like a short 2-3 second swim or placing them on their back to float with TOUCH support. Let them hang out on the stairs. GREEN LIGHT: Your child wants to be in the water and use their skills. Give them space to be independent, but within arm’s reach.
If your ever notice your child may unexpectedly fall in, let them! You are there, they are safe. You could always place them on the stairs and show them how to return with a swim or roll into a float. IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT ATTEMPTING TO ‘SAVE’ THEMSELVES WITH IN 4 SECONDS—HELP THEM.
Floaters: Just hold your baby. Only a small amount of parents are truly comfortable practicing a baby’s float without interfering with their child’s skills. Rotations should only be practiced with your instructor, unless your child is willing to show you independently— around 20-24 months. An example of willingness would be placing your child on a set of stairs and they are willing to leave the stairs to roll into a float.
Swimmers: Always have your child show you their swim float swim when they get in the water and before they get out. A child should generally display these key features: FACE IN THE WATER: eyes open and looking straight ahead to slightly down. They should swim for a long 4 seconds where they reach their destination OR turn to a float. They will then ROLL BACK into a FLOAT. Their float consists of them being comfortable on their back with their CHIN UP HIGH, TUMMY UP and relatively calm feet. They should be able to SAFELY AND CALMLY ATTAIN AT LEAST 2-4 BIG BREATHS IN THEIR FLOAT before swimming again. Head popping (when they just lift their head instead of turning to their back) can start to replace the float and should be monitored and stopped when your child is defaulting to it. Help them roll back and show then they can breathe better there.
CAST
The CAST Water Safety Foundation is a wonderful resource for Water Safety. They help so many people in our communities by paying for lessons, creating access for instructor’s to better their skills, and providing training opportunities for new instructors. They are the best example of TRUE Philanthropic Efforts. You can donate directly to them here: DONATE. 100% of your donation goes straight to scholarships. Alternatively, I do an ANNUAL Duck Race at the end of summer that raises funds for CAST that I encourage all swim families to donate too. It really means the world and makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE.