DOLFUN Swim Lessons - Frequently Asked Questions

1.        How soon should my child start swim lessons?

Children can start water awareness classes as early as 6 months and the use of water play at home is highly encouraged. By 2-3 years old, most children have the cognitive and physical skills to learn ?with proper instruction? to jump in the water, surface, swim to the side and climb out.  The sooner you introduce water experiences and start swim lessons, the sooner the child will adapt to being in the water and hence the better the experience will be.  The longer you wait to start swim lessons, the greater the potential for fear of being in the water to develop which hinders the learning process and makes it slower to learn to swim.
2.        How often should my child take swim lessons?
Some children swim every day and do very well, although daily lessons may be too frequent for other children.  The optimum frequency also depends on the parents? availability. Once a week is not frequent enough to get the full benefit of swim lessons.  For best results, have your child take lessons every other day or 2-3 times per week.
3.        How many lessons does it take for my child to learn to swim across the pool?
Most children start with a minimum of 10 1 hour lessons which is generally adequate to learn the basics of freestyle stroke and swimming across the pool.  Many take additional lessons to improve on freestyle technique, side breathing and to learn other strokes including backstroke, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, side stroke, dolphin kick and butterfly stroke.
4.           Does my child have to wear goggles?
a.  If they are just playing in the water, your child does not need goggles.

b.      To learn to swim, you have to put your head in the water and therefore you have to put your eyes in the water.  To learn to swim properly, goggles are recommended so that the child can see under the water and be oriented.  You do not your child to close their eyes under water because it is disorienting (for example, you would not play soccer with your eyes closed). You don't want your child to frequently open their eyes under water without goggles due to exposure to pool chemicals.

5.         What are the best types of goggles?

      Speedo Junior Hydrospex or similar one-piece flexible goggles with good suction on the eye sockets.

6.        What if my child does not want to wear goggles?

We recommend that all students have a pair of goggles.  Eventually all swimming students will learn how much better it is to swim with their goggles on.  We don't force goggles but let the child learn to appreciate the benefit and importance of wearing goggles for proper swimming.  The more they wear goggles, the better your child will learn to swim.
7.        What if my child does not want to put his head under the water?
Most of the fear of putting their head in the water is because going under water affects your eyes, ears, nose and mouth.  You take care of the eyes by wearing goggles.  You take care of the nose and mouth by blowing bubbles in the water (this is the first thing that we teach all age groups).  Normally the ears will adjust to the water, but some students may use silicon wax plugs available at local pharmacies.
8.                 What should I expect my child to learn in swim lessons?
In the average series of ten lessons your child will b e come acclimated to entering and exiting the water on their own safely .those that are physically able and have less fear  will learn  to swim the free style stoke  first Which includes  the seven steps to learning to swim see article in published articles in this web site.

9.           Where are the lessons conducted?

We   teach most lessons at private homes with pools and at community pools where students and their parents are members.   

10.      Do I need to get in the water with my child?
It is totally your choice if you want to get in the water with your child or not get in.  You are not required to get in the water as we are set up to provide total instruction for your child no matter what the age.  If you feel more comfortable being with your child in the water, then we welcome and encourage you to join as long as it does not interfere with the lesson.
11.      Where should I stay during the swim lessons?
As indicated above, you can come in the water and learn with your child.  If you want to watch, as most parents do, then you may sit under the shaded area next to the pool.  If you need to leave during the lesson, please make arrangements with us so that we are aware that you will not be there.
12.      Should my child use floaties?
We do not teach with floaties and discourage the overuse of floaties as they do not teach children to swim.  Floaties put children in a vertical position in the water rather than a horizontal position required for swimming and they cause children to develop bicycle kicking rather than flutter kicking.
13.      How many children will be in the swim class?
We offer private and semi-private classes.  Class sizes are very small to allow for maximum learning as well as safety.  For infants to toddlers, there is 1 teacher per student.  For pre-school age children, there may be 2 students per teacher as long as it is safe. For school age children, class sizes range from 1 to 3 students per teacher.  Older age students and adults may learn individually or in groups.
14.      What will the lessons consist of?
DOLFUN Swim Lessons realizes the importance of allowing students to learn at their own rate and ability. The key to successful learning is the emphasis placed on a positive environment, working towards aquatic safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition. We provide a progressive, non-forceful program based on advancements toward proficient swimming skills and techniques outlined by the swimming world community.  We start students on the freestyle stroke with the goal of being able to side breathe and swim across 25 yards comfortably without touching the pool bottom or sides.  This can usually be accomplished by the age of 4-5 years old.
Infant and Preschool Programs
Lessons should consist of a range of activities that promote water familiarization, including fun and enjoyment, exploration and independence, social interaction, water safety education, skill acquisition and parent education.

Swimming and Water Safety Programs
Lessons should consist of a range of activities that promote swimming and water safety, including fun, games, water safety education, skill promotion, stroke development, ongoing evaluation and parent education.

15.      What qualifications do you have?
We have American Red Cross certifications and we follow the American Red Cross Water Safety Instruction (WSI) program.  We are active members of the United States Swim School Association.   We have been teaching swim lessons for 28 years, since 1978 in Southern California, and have been located in Katy , Texas since April 2004.
16.      How quickly will my child learn?
Learning is a continuous process that evolves over period of time. It is important to remember that children learn at different rates and need to practice their swimming and water safety skills on a regular basis. If they do have a break from lessons (such as from end of summer to beginning of next summer), their ability to perform previously mastered skills may have dropped off and the instructor will need to revise those skills before progressing to more advanced skills.
17.      How long will it take for my child to learn how to swim?
To begin with, we identify "knowing how to swim" in the following way: to be eager to want to go to the pool, to be able to jump in, get breaths independently, swim back to the side, hold onto the wall and climb out.

There are several important factors, including age and age appropriate size of the child, older siblings who swim attitude of parents and playtime.

a.      The best age to teach swim lessons is a child about three years old. There is usually no fear, a great willingness and enough physical ability.

b.      If the child has older siblings who enjoy swimming, the child will generally want to imitate the older sibling(s) and do what is necessary to speed up the learning process.

c.      Parents who have a love for swimming (or at least are not afraid themselves) will transfer their feelings to their child. Their honest moral support will help greatly.

d.      Playtime in the water is very important and will greatly help the learning process. The time the caregivers will spend playing with the child in the water; or at a later age ? giving the child enough opportunity to play in the water ? to experience the joy of achievement, of freedom of movement and becoming totally at home in the new element.

All of this will contribute greatly to the success of the learning process. As a parent we advise not to rush the process, but on the other hand not to procrastinate. Children older than three may have some fears that need to be addressed (and the older they get, the more fear they generally acquire, i.e., adults). A child also needs to learn that there are certain things in life that may not always be pleasant, but still need to be done. WE think, that learning how to swim will also teach a child a lot of other skills useful for their happy learning experiences in life.

A normal 1 ½ - 2 ½ year old should be able to get around the pool ? breathing independently after 2-3 months with two lessons per week. Of course there are many variants. Some children will learn much faster while others will take longer. We like to treat each child individually and address each child's needs independently.

18.      When should I start my child in formal swimming lessons?

There are many factors which enter into this question. The three biggest issues are health of the child, age of the child and circumstances.

With everything perfect: healthy child, great opportunities (playtime in the pool), we feel that water time in a pool can start as early as six months. Before that time, the bathtub is a wonderful bonding time between baby and parent. In the beginning, baby and parent classes are a good idea to familiarize the baby with the water. If there is a pool or water immediately around the house, we feel that formal swimming lessons should start as soon as the child starts to walk. If there are older siblings, it is even more important, since the young child will want to do as brother and sister do, and most importantly; younger children are often careless about leaving doors and gates unlocked, even open, and therefore endangering the baby. The biggest problem is the attitude of many parents to think only of swimming and lessons in the summertime. Children can fall into cold pools/lakes in the winter-time as well. Year round lessons are very important not only to learn and enjoy each summer, but also for maintaining the new skills and to learn new ones, not forgetting the joy a child is getting from the lessons/playtime in the pool.

 

19.      What should my child wear to swim lessons?

Children under three and older if not potty-trained, need to wear a disposable swim diaper and a plastic-lined swimsuit/diaper. Many little bathing suits have the plastic swim diaper built-in. Girls or boys with long hair should wear a bathing cap to keep the water run-off and their hair out of their faces. This will enable them to concentrate on swimming rather than wiping their faces.

20.      Should my child eat before the swim lesson?

Please do not feed your child just before lessons, even if they are just getting out of school. A little fruit juice is okay. Children do not digest processed meats and eggs too fast and it is not wise to feed them big meals close to their lesson time.

21.      What should I bring to swim lessons?

The most important thing to bring besides a swim suit is a big comfy towel or two. When the child is done, the most wonderful and important thing is the big reassuring hug in a big warm towel. Bring a favorite cuddle or comfort toy or a small treat if you like ? juice or fruit.

22.      What role do parents play in aquatic education?

Parents are children's first teachers. Therefore it is important that parents take an active interest in the child's lesson. Outside of the lesson, the parent plays vital role in educating their child about the importance of learning swimming and water safety skills and the risks associated with the aquatic environment.

Always supervise children when in and around water. Domestic water dangers include buckets, fish ponds, bathtubs, toilets, wading pools and any other backyard area of water.

23.      What can I do to help my child learn?
·         Be on time ? don't arrive rushed and frustrated. Your child will reflect your emotional state. Your happy, comforting, reassuring attitude will be the best help.

·         Between lessons, play in the pool as much as can, but don't ?practice.? This is wonderful quality and bonding time.

·         If your child is fearful, don't talk about the lesson during the week; make it a matter-of-fact occurrence without too much fuss about it.

·         Naps are important. Please schedule your lessons with naptime in consideration. A rested child learns better and is happier in the water.

24.      What is my child has "special needs?"

If your child has special needs or any kind of health problems, please tell the swim teacher or office assistant. We have extensive experience with many special needs children and can readily accommodate their needs.  We will make sure that your special needs child is as happy in the water as the next child and learns at their own pace.

25.      What if my child is sick ? should I bring him/her to the swim lesson?

When a child is sick, please don't bring him/her to the lessons. Your teachers and the other children in the pool do get sick being in close contact with sick children in lessons. And of course it is not in the best interest of your child's overall health. Children with tubes in their ears can swim (many doctors prescribe earplugs) but diving is probably not a good idea.