There are many types of swimming lessons these days. But which swimming lesson do you choose with Lifeguard Training? At what age do you start swimming? How expensive is it? And what should you do if your child is afraid of water? In short: everything about swimming lessons.
At what age do swimming lessons start?
Most children start swimming lessons wearing their kids swimsuit when they are four or five years old. For example, they get used to water at a young age and are more self-reliant. It is often recommended to start with five years. At this age, your child is already accustomed to participating in the nursery group and following directions. Children who start swimming lessons later, for example at the age of seven, usually obtain their diploma faster. The motor skills are better developed at that age and they pick up directions more quickly. So there is something to be said for both.
Swimming lesson: the first phase
During the first phase of the swimming lesson, an attempt is made to clear the water for children. They learn to feel at home in the water and not to be afraid. This is done with games, such as splashing, blowing bubbles, singing songs, jumping from the side, spinning in circles, climbing on the mat, going under, swimming through a gate or picking up things from the bottom. There is also a lot of practice on the stomach and back. Read more about the best approach to hydrophobia here.
Anhydrous
Some children are already water-free when they start swimming lessons. For example, toddlers who have been toddlers or babies swimming with their parents , or who have often visited the pool. If your child is already water-free, it does not immediately mean that he will receive his swimming certificate sooner. A child can also be too water-free. For example, if he has already learned his own swimming stroke, it is sometimes difficult to unlearn it. More about the benefits of baby swimming.
Overcome fear of water
The first phase of the swimming lesson goes faster if your child is no longer afraid of water. It is therefore important that your child already has the courage to take a shower at home and to take a dip in the bath or pool. It is definitely worth practicing this before your child starts swimming lessons.
You can also practice making your child water-free with the help of the ‘water-free fan ‘. This is a cheerful fan full of exercises for in the pool to clear your child from the water. There are also all kinds of swimming books for sale with tips and exercises that you can do at home to prepare your child for swimming lessons.
Swimming lesson: learn to swim
If your child can float on his chest and back, dare to jump into the water, fully submerge and open his eyes underwater, he is ready to learn to swim. This can be done with the aid of flotation devices, such as a flotation suit, straps, or flex beams (also called pool noodles), but it is also possible without. All of these methods are fine. Determine in advance which method you think suits your child best. There are many different types: direct starting in deep or shallow swimming water, for example.
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How much do swimming lessons cost?
Swimming lessons come in many forms. You can go once or twice a week and the class duration can be very different. It just depends on what you and your child like and what the swimming pool near you offers. The costs per month can therefore differ greatly per pool. Lessons are often cheaper at swimming clubs and municipal swimming pools than at private swimming schools. The group size and the quality of the swimming lessons often also differ. In the short run, the costs will be lower, but in the long run they can be the same or even higher.
If you opt for a turbo course, the costs are usually higher, but you know where you stand since you usually buy a diploma package.
How long does it take for your child to receive his diploma?
It is impossible to predict in advance how long it will take for your child to receive his diploma. That depends on many factors, such as water anxiety, what age he starts swimming, how quickly he picks up clues, how well he can concentrate, the size of the group and how often he swims. Every child has their own pace and that’s fine. The swimming diploma is often the first diploma a child obtains in his life. That should just be fun, without pressure. On average, a child with five years has his swimming diploma A within one school year. Swimming diploma B and C often go a lot faster. It takes children an average of 12 weeks to do this.
How many swimming certificates should your child have?
Children with swimming diplomas A and B are already reasonably skilled, but with C also ‘swim safe’ in open water such as a recreational lake, the sea or a river. Swimming in open water is always more risky because you are dealing with different conditions. Think of the wind, current and temperature difference. It is therefore advised to obtain all three swimming diplomas: the A, B and C diploma.