Please leave yourself plenty of time to change both you and your child before class starts.  Be sure your child has the required reusable swim diaper on and that you have signed your consent form (refer to the email for details).  We recommend you wear flip-flops and bring a towel on deck when your class begins.  Once on deck you will be directed to hang up your towel and sit down on the side of the pool with your child.

You should expect your instructor to introduce himself/herself to you and assist you in entering the water correctly.  You will be asked to walk around, holding your child on your hip, in order to acclimate them.  Once your instructor assists the other new participants he/she will come to you to get a brief history on your child’s water experiences.  Following that conversation your instructor will begin to teach the basic holds of Level 1.

Your child’s lesson goals will be customized weekly based on his/her progression.  Swim Tank has a unique and effective method for teaching water adjustment, water safety, and independent swimming.  The fundamentals of swimming are simplified by introducing smaller attainable skills one at a time.  Each skill acts like a building block, and as your child masters and combines each new skill they will develop their abilities

One of the most important component of this process, is the adult participant.  Student success and progress, at this level, is dependent on the relationship between the adult participant and the instructor.  A positive and communicative relationship is vital.  All infant/toddler classes have a 4:1 student to teacher ratio.  Instructors will work individually with all 4 of their students and it is the adult participant’s responsibility to follow the goals set by the instructor.  This is not a “free swim” program, it is a structured water adjustment program.

The adult participant’s objectives should be to promote safety, and condition the child to do the same. The rules that we have in place are meant to protect your children and to teach them how to react appropriately when they are in or around any body of water.   If we can teach your child to follow the pool rules and respect the water, we are decreasing their risk of pool related injuries or drowning.

The adult participant should also promote education by following the goals set by their instructor. Consistency and repetition when teaching these skills are key factors in your child’s progress.   Please ask questions and seek additional support whenever needed.  Accuracy is imperative for building the correct muscle memory required for each skill.

Both instructors and adults should promote fun, praise and excitement!  Children respond much better to learning opportunities when their efforts are praised and celebrated.  Students will follow the responses of their instructors and adult participants, so reactions are critical for creating a positive environment!