Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Bring to My Child’s Lesson?
What And When Should They Eat Before Lessons?
Can My Child Swim With Goggles?
What Should I Do with My Child’s Hair during Lessons?
Are Flotation Devices Used In Your Lessons?
Are Parents Allowed To Sit Close To Their Child During The Lessons?
What If My Child Cries Or Is Afraid?
Do You Teach Students To Blow Bubbles?
Should Parents Be Visible During Their Child’s Lesson?
Can I Drop My Child Off And Pick Them Up At The End OF Their Lesson?
How Can I Contact My Child’s Teacher?
Do Children Ever Hit A Plateau?
Can We Make Up A Missed Class?
What Are My Payment Options?
Can I Join Lessons Once The Session Has Started?
Can I Request A Particular Teacher?
What Should I Bring to My Child’s Lesson?
We will provide most of the equipment that your child will need in a class, including fins and learning toys. You should bring a towel and swimsuit. If you are in a Tiny Bubbles class then the parent will also need a towel and swim suit. For toddlers under the age of three years of age and those not yet potty trained will need a non disposable swim diaper which we have available in our pro shop. Goggles are neither necessary nor recommended for beginning students. Once you purchase goggles for your child be sure to have their name clearly written on the goggles.
back to top
What And When Should They Eat Before Lessons?
We recommend that children not eat a large meal before lessons. Beginning swimmers under the age of three years of age should avoid food, (especially dairy products) for 2 or 3 hours prior to their lesson time.
back to top
Can My Child Swim With Goggles?
 We prefer that all children new to swimming learn how to be comfortable with having their eyes opened up under the water. Once a child has gained this comfort we are fine for a child to purchase and wear goggles in class however, we will often have classes where we will ask the child to swim without their goggles. We have seen many children become dependant on goggles and refuse to swim without their goggles. We never want a child to panic if they were to fall into the water without their goggles. If your child is wearing goggles please be sure they are well fitted and that your child has spent time learning how to put them on and take them off. Instructors want to spend their time teaching your child swimming skills vs. time fixing goggles.
back to top
What Should I Do with My Child’s Hair during Lessons?
Any Hair that can eventually get into the mouth or eyes needs to be either pulled back into a ponytail, braid or put into a swim cap. This is especially helpful to the child that is learning how to roll onto their back to breathe. Children who are not yet comfortable with this skill will want to lift up their hands out of the water to remove the hair from their face and eyes which will leave them unstable on their back.
back to top
 Are Flotation Devices Used In Your Lessons?
Floatation devices (inner tubes and water wings) are never used to teach your child how to swim. We focus on teaching the child how to utilize their own bodies in the water. Flotation devices create a false sense of security for the child and do not teach the proper body position for swimming. Flotation devices place children in a vertical position with their feet down. In order for a child to move with ease across the water, their face needs to be in the water which bring their feet to the surface allowing them to propel across the water with ease.
back to top
Are Parents Allowed To Sit Close To Their Child During The Lessons?
We have made a parent seating area on the opposite side of the pool away from the children. We have found that the child stays more focused on the instructor vs. the parents when the parents are sitting at a distance. The staff outside of the pool is also busy putting supplies and equipment in and out of the pool throughout the lesson. For this reason we feel that it is safer for parents to remain at a distance.
back to top
What If My Child Cries Or Is Afraid?
Our teachers are very well trained to deal with even the most fearful and nervous student. We have many toys and songs available for this child. If you having trouble getting your child into the lesson, one of our staff will gladly get your child into the water and work to have them swimming in no time?
back to top
 Do You Teach Students To Blow Bubbles?
We teach bubble blowing to the new child merely as a way to assist the child to placing their face into the water. We do not focus on the teaching of bubble blowing because we are more concerned with the child gaining proper breathe control, buoyancy and the building of lung capacity. We want children to feel the need to breathe and relate that to obtaining their air by floating on their back. Once the child is comfortable obtaining their air by rolling onto their back we begin to teach bubble blowing. The Angelfish level focuses on the child learning breathing patterns for advanced stroke technique.
back to top
Should Parents Be Visible During Their Child’s Lesson?
If the child is constantly asking and looking for their mom or dad throughout the lesson a teacher is having trouble competing for attention. It is for this reason that it is generally best to have the parent be “out of sight and out of mind” until the child begins to bond with and trust the swimming instructor. Often, if the child thinks there is a sympathetic person who will come and save their plight, they will likely become melodramatic and emotionally distressed. We encourage parents to watch the entire lesson but often prefer that they hide whenever the child becomes distracted by the possibility that Mom or Dad might bail them out of the situation.
back to top
Can I Drop My Child Off And Pick Them Up At The End OF Their Lesson?
We require a parent or caregiver to escort every child into their lesson and remain with them throughout their lesson. Children cannot be left unattended at any time before, during, or after their lesson. You are also teaching your child a good message that they are never to swim without an adult watching them. Adult supervision is the biggest key in preventing a drowning.
back to top
 How Many Times Per Week Should I Schedule My Child’s Lesson?
We have found that resistant or fearful students overcome their anxieties by attending lessons at least twice per week. The increased consistency allows the child more time to improve their skills which will increase their competency in the water and increase their confidence as well. Once the child begins to enjoy the water and learning how to swim, scheduling once per week is acceptable.
back to top
How Can I Contact My Child’s Teacher?
Due to the nature of our busy class schedule, teachers are not available to converse with parents before or after a lesson. However, we want you to feel that you can have contact with your teacher at any time by sending an email to instructor@swimdenver.com. Teachers will gladly email you a response or call you. We encourage you to communicate any of your concerns to the instructor.
back to top
Do Children Ever Hit A Plateau?
Plateaus are common, especially when a child faces a hurdle that is more difficult. We often see children go through peaks and valleys in their learning. It is important for not to compare your child to other students. Each child learns at his or her own time frame. Taking your child swimming and giving them time to practice their skills often assists them in getting over the plateaus. Do not feel frustrated with your child but instead continue to praise their efforts.
back to top
 Can We Make Up A Missed Class?
Make- up lessons are available to those children enrolled in our “Flex Plan”. If you are not on the flex plan we have a free family swim pass available for you to come in and go swimming after our lessons on Friday night, Saturday & Sunday afternoon. This is a great time for the parents to get into the water and practice the skills your child has learned.
back to top
What Are My Payment Options?
We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Payment must be made in advance in order for you to be confirmed into a class. A $10 handling fee will be charged on a declined automatic debit transaction.
back to top
Can I Join The Program At Any Time?
We are happy to register students into the program where space is available or we are happy to wait list you for a desired class, day and time as the schedule may change monthly. We will prorate your cost for a month based upon the week you begin lessons.
back to top
 Can I Request A Particular Teacher?
Feel free to ask us. Teacher’s schedules often change throughout the year and from month to month. We love our staff and know that you and your child will also become fond of them. We are also aware that different students respond to different teaching personalities. We always try to respond to these needs. However, we will never guarantee a teacher and we will always reserve the right to change teachers if other considerations require it.
back to top
|
