5 Tips to Prepare Your Child for Swim School
5 Tips to Prepare Your Child for Swim School
When you sign your children up for swim school and equip them with safe swimming skills, we already know that means you’re a prepared and thoughtful parent! And although we at Katie’s Kickers are the teachers in the water, we know that parent involvement is key to a fun and successful start to swim lessons. Because of that, we’ve created a list below of our 5 favorite tips on how you can prepare your child for swimming school, so the transition is as smooth as possible. Eager to get your child signed up? Give us a call at 757-942-5893 to learn more about our services and class availability in the Hampton Roads!
1. Explain what to expect ahead of time:
At Katie’s Kickers, we believe you can’t over-communicate anything when it comes to water safety! By speaking with your child ahead of time about what they can expect during swim lessons, you’re building their confidence, because children find comfort in predictability.
And no need to make it complicated! Answering the five W’s - who, what, where, when, and why – usually does the trick!
2. Proper swimsuit & swim gear
Although Katie’s Kickers will provide any necessary swimming props, we do ask parents to prepare their children by wearing a proper swimsuit and applying sunscreen beforehand. Again, nothing fancy needed, just a well-fitting swimsuit is all it takes. You may even consider a rash guard to protect them further from the sun’s harsh rays.
3. Practice makes perfect
A great way to familiarize your children with what to expect during swim lessons is by practicing in the bathtub. Small actions such as pouring water over your child’s head, or playing with pool toys in the water, allows your child to become comfortable with the sights, sounds and sensations they’ll likely feel during swim lessons, making it much less scary and a little more predictable.
4. Visit the pool beforehand
If possible, plan a quick visit to the pool ahead of time. Allowing your child to see the setting that they’ll be taught in increases their comfort heading into lessons, because they know exactly what to expect once they arrive.
5. Pack a bag
And the last tip for an awesome swim lesson prep is to pack a bag with some handy essentials. We suggest a swim diaper, if needed, a bag to store their wet swimsuit and clothing in afterwards, a change of clothes, and most importantly, an after-session snack!
