Every child is different and learns things at a different speed. I will communicate with you individually to discuss the needs of you and your child to personalize where needed. While you are watching lessons, if you are curious about something specific I am doing, just ask! I’m happy to answer questions and address concerns!
If your child is new to safety lessons, I recommend a minimum of 2 lessons per week.
Lessons are 20 minutes long, one-on-one, and $30 per lesson.
First time doing lessons with me? Check out the frequently asked questions!
Your child starts by learning to float independently. This builds the foundation for them to learn to self-rescue.
Float on their back, looking up
Be comfortable with water in their ears
Hold their breath
Blow bubbles
Children are typically not used to floating on their back, feeling water in their ears, unable to see what's going on. This can be uncomfortable and frustrating, so it is normal for babies and toddlers to cry or scream at first.
As they learn what position they need to be in to float and breathe, they often swallow water and may throw up. All of this is a normal part of the process and improves over time.
It can be hard to watch your child struggle. Feel free to “check out” and focus on something else, knowing that I am very aware of your child's needs and will keep them safe. I am careful to balance pushing with reassurance and try to end every lesson on a happy note.
Once your child can float independently for at least 1 minute, they start learning to get to a float in any situation. This is the most important skill they acquire.
Get to the surface
Roll over in the water and float
We practice falling in, diving, being tossed in, going down a slide—in all kinds of positions and in different depths of water—so that nothing catches them off guard and they can always correct themselves and get to a float. My goal is for this to become your child's natural response in the water.
There may still be occasional crying and frustration, and progress is usually not linear. But with consistent practice in a variety of situations, getting to a float will become second nature.
Children need to learn to float in any body of water, in any setting or situation—not just with me in the lesson pool. So the more you can practice with them outside of lessons, the better off they will be! It may be hard at first to get them to jump in and float, but keep working on it! Let me know if you need help with this, and we can schedule a time for you to get in the water with me so I can help you!
Once your child has mastered safety, I teach them to navigate around in the water. This stage can start as early as age 13 months if a child is ready, but usually doesn’t start until closer to age 2.
Kick while on their back and their front
Look around and get to the side of the pool
Roll to their stomach and kick until they need to breathe
Alternate kicking on their front and floating on their back
Grab the wall and pull themselves out
Scoop with their arms
While kids are not learning strokes at this stage, kicking around in the water is the most functional way for toddlers to swim. If your child is 4 or older, we may skip this stage.
Once your child is safe and can navigate the pool and get out by themselves, I start teaching them swim strokes!
Swim Backstroke and Freestyle (front stroke)
Swim Butterfly stroke
Swim Breaststroke
Do standing dives
Do racing dives
I teach the strokes in this order for good reason. Backstroke and Freestyle are taught first and at the same time. These are the easiest to learn and are the most practical. Next I teach Butterfly, and lastly Breaststroke. Butterfly may be more physically difficult than Breaststroke, but its rhythm is easier to master.
I love to help kids improve their individual strokes. It can be especially beneficial for kids on a swim team to have one-on-one lessons.