During the summer months, most families are enjoying pool activities or venturing unto large bodies of water to enjoy time with friends and families.
I’ve partnered with Goldfish Swim School’s Columbus Owner and Water Safety Expert, Lisa Armitage, to offer you some helpful swim tips to keep loved one safe during your summer vacations!
Thank you Goldfish Swim School for sponsoring this post!
Teach your child(ren) the basic pool rules:
- Walking feet only!
- Keep your hands to yourself (no pushing).
- Enter the water feet first.
- No pulling other kids under water.
- Only enter the pool when an adult is present.
Have older kids buddy up!
Make sure the older kids always know where their buddy is located. This method doesn’t replace adult supervisor, it’s only meant to be a supplement.
Ignore your phone to prevent yourselves from taking your eyes off your children.
Even 5 seconds is enough for a child to submerge into the water. Have your phone fully charged in the event of an emergency and also know where you are if you need to direct emergency operators where to find you (in case of emergencies).
Sign up children for swim lessons!
Noticing your little one is needing some extra swim support to become water safe? Below, Lisa provides information why Goldfish Swim School is the best swim resource for you and your family!
What is the benefit of choosing a swim school over individual private survival skill lessons?
At Goldfish Swim School, we believe in the benefits of group vs. private lessons and we set our teacher to student ratio accordingly. It’s a balance and we find that parents agree: Group lessons offer many benefits over private lessons.
- Break time: At Goldfish Swim School, each class size is limited to four kids. If a child is absent, that may mean there are only one or two other swimmers (or no one else) but never more than four total swimmers. For a child struggling to master a new skill or overcome fear, taking time to recoup during a swimming lesson is imperative – which is what they get during a group lesson. The focus isn’t always specifically on the child, so he or she can have time to relax and not be overwhelmed with pressure to perform their skills.
- Watching other children: Your child is able to watch what the other kids were doing in small group lessons. Many kids are observers and like to see others do something before diving in. During the group swimming lesson, instructors take turns with each child. Therefore, your child is able to watch the progress of the other kids and eventually want to be able to do what they were doing.
- Fun in the pool: What looks like play to a child is actually learning. Goldfish Swim School has created an inviting, safe place for kids to overcome their fears and learn to swim. Your child will tell you about the fun he or she had and you’ll see the progress when they earn ribbons and move up levels.
What is the recommended age that children should start swim school? Why?
Goldfish Swim School offers year-round, perpetual swim lessons for four-month-old babies all the way up to 12 years olds. Even when your baby can’t walk yet, he or she can certainly start learning swim skills. At Goldfish Swim School, our trained instructors use integrity, compassion and trust to teach kids ages 4 months and older swim skills that will stay with them for life, using a specialized curriculum. You’ll find some additional benefits to jumping into lessons now, like these 5 Reasons to Start your Baby Swimming Before Age 1.
How large are the Goldfish Swim School (GSS) classes?
Goldfish Swim School keeps class sizes small (Max 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio for group classes and a max 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio in our baby classes). Our attentive instructors are passionate about showing kids just how fun it can be to learn a life skill that’s as important as swimming.
How do I know what level to sign up for?
Goldfish Swim School levels are dependent on age and skill level. Our front desk team members are available to assist in figuring out the best level for your swimmer when you’re signing up for lessons. Our deck staff will also check in on your first day to ensure your child has been placed in an appropriate level. If you think your child is between levels, it is easier to start in a lower level and progress quicker rather than starting in a more advanced level.
How long (on average) does it take for children to learn essential skills before moving onto the next level? /How long will it take for my child to learn to swim?
It depends on the child, and we recognize that each child progresses at their own rate and pace. Goldfish Swim School’s curriculum was developed with this in mind, and it allows each child to progress to the next level once they master all of the end goals. Since each swim level progresses from the previous one, it is important for a child to master each of the end goals to be successful in the next level.
There are some things that you can do to speed up your child’s progress in the water: Consistent class attendance, increasing to multiple classes per week, spending additional swimming time at family swims, etc. can all help.
When is my child considered to be water safe?
A child will be safer in the water once they build endurance in our upper level classes and they have mastered treading and other safety skills. However, you should always take safety precautions when your child is in or around water, including always having a designated water watcher, do not rely solely on lifeguards, encourage your child to respect the water (no rough-housing) and use approved floatation devices.
What tips are you implementing to keep your children safe this summer?
