Lessons are one-on-one for approximately 10-15 minutes. Each lesson builds upon the previous day's skills; breath control, calm and controlled floating, water safety, and other aspects of a "swim-float-swim" sequence. Swimming and floating are motor skills which can be taught through repetitive exercise with gentle verbal encouragement. Within 4-6 weeks they will learn the necessary survival skills.

Students will work hard! They will be practicing their newly learned skills multiple times throughout each lesson. Children quickly tire and it is important they put forth their best efforts when they have the most energy.

You will want to bring: two towels (as your child will be tired after lessons and may want to lay down and relax before changing back into street clothes) a change of clothes a snug reusable swim diaper (for children that are not potty trained) a swimming suit

Children cry occassionally during their lesson or when they first get in the water. This is their first reaction because of the hard work associated with the lessons. Please do not be alarmed by this. Know that they do not usually have another way of communicating with us. Most often, once your child realizes that they have mastered a skill, they become very comfortable in the water. This is most likely one of the first times your child is being taught something they are unable to "practice" all the time (i.e. sitting up, walking, eating on their own, etc.). Rest assured that a few shed tears will lead to another skill. As a parent on the sidelines, it is important for you to support and be excited for you child! You can do this by being present, whether that means talking to other parents or clapping for your child, when a skill is achieved to show how proud you are of your child. You took a big step when you signed your child up for survival swimming lessons and I applaud you for giving him/her the lifetime gift of swimming skills. Please do not start your child in this program unless you fully intend on completing it. If you end your child's lessons early in the program, one of the first things your child will remember about the water is the lack of self-confidence in and around water. I have worked with many children who have a fear of water and I do not want to put them in a situation that they could be pulled out of. Please make sure this is the program for you before you register.

Your child is getting one-on-one private lessons with the same instructor which provides continuity. If your child was enrolled in a program with more than 2-3 children in the group for a 30-45 minute lesson, he/she would only receive approximately 10 minutes of one-on-one instruction about 1-2 days per week. The individualized lessons allow the instructor to maintain focus on your child's progress and to adjust each day's lesson accordingly. At the end of 4-5 weeks (instead of months or sometimes years) your child will be a step above the rest.

Once a baby can crawl, he/she is able to learn how to swim. Once a baby becomes mobile, he/she is at a greater risk of entering the water alone and needing a self-rescue. Crawlers will be taught how to swim and how to roll over to a calm and controlled float in order to await a responsible adult's pickup/rescue.