Red Cross has one of the most widely used learn-to-swim programs in the country. Most public pools, and a lot of private ones, use Red Cross swimming programs. The great part about Red Cross is the consistancy; a Water Safety Instructor (as swim teachers are officially called) recieve the same training across the country. A level 3 in Utah is the same as a level 3 in Wisconsin, in Florida, and in New York. But what exactly will a swimmer learn in level 3? Or any of the levels for that matter? Some aquatic centers do a fantastic job informing parents just what their kids will be learning. Other pools shuffle kids into lessons on the first day and leave it up to the teachers to explain (or not) what the goals are for the class and their students. Many parents I interact with as a swimming teacher don't have a clear understanding of just what their kids are actually doing during that 1/2 hour session. I hope to clarify some of the confusion so parents have a realistic idea of the goals of each level of the Learn-to-Swim program. This post will deal specifically with Parent/Child classes. Keep in mind that this is not an official Red Cross explaination, just a seasoned teacher trying to make sense of swimming lessons.
Parent/Child
Parent Child classes are sometimes called Parent/Infant or Parent/Tot. There are two levels of PC in the Red Cross program, but many pools just hold one general class for all adult/child pairs. The goal of the class is WATER ADAPTION. There are swimming programs out there that teach safety swimming to babies and toddlers...THIS IS NOT THAT CLASS. Safety topics will be dicussed, but the majority of the class will be spent getting babies and toddlers used to the water, with the security of a trusted adult. The pace will be set by the children themselves.
This class is meant for children 6 months to 3 years old, although children up to the age of 5 are welcome in the class.
Skills in the PC class include:
Entering and exiting the water
Holds (ways to position your child to teach different skills)
Kicking
Hand motions
Breath control (blowing bubbles, holding breath)
Floating on front and back
Grabbing and holding onto the side of the pool
Submerging mouth, nose, and eyes
Jumping in
Safety Topics Include:
Cueing (letting the child know what is coming)
Water entry and exit
Submersion
Grabbing/holding onto the side of the pool
Choosing and putting on lifejackets
While classes vary greatly based on the instructor you have, PC classes are generally not highly structured. Typically there will be a period of adjustment at the begining of every class in which parents and children can enter and get used to the water. There may be toys to play with or a song to sing to get everyone in a good mood to swim. The instructor will teach the adult, who will then practice the skill with the child. Some skills will require the instructor to hold the child, such as passing back and forth. Generally class will end with more songs, games, or toys. This keeps the last memories of class happy and fun so both child and adult will carry a positive memory into the next lesson.
The overall goal of the Parent/Child class is to introduce children to the water and to the body motions that will become the foundation of future swimming skills. It also helps parents feel more confident enjoying the water with their child.
Parent/Child
Parent Child classes are sometimes called Parent/Infant or Parent/Tot. There are two levels of PC in the Red Cross program, but many pools just hold one general class for all adult/child pairs. The goal of the class is WATER ADAPTION. There are swimming programs out there that teach safety swimming to babies and toddlers...THIS IS NOT THAT CLASS. Safety topics will be dicussed, but the majority of the class will be spent getting babies and toddlers used to the water, with the security of a trusted adult. The pace will be set by the children themselves.
This class is meant for children 6 months to 3 years old, although children up to the age of 5 are welcome in the class.
Skills in the PC class include:
Entering and exiting the water
Holds (ways to position your child to teach different skills)
Kicking
Hand motions
Breath control (blowing bubbles, holding breath)
Floating on front and back
Grabbing and holding onto the side of the pool
Submerging mouth, nose, and eyes
Jumping in
Safety Topics Include:
Cueing (letting the child know what is coming)
Water entry and exit
Submersion
Grabbing/holding onto the side of the pool
Choosing and putting on lifejackets
While classes vary greatly based on the instructor you have, PC classes are generally not highly structured. Typically there will be a period of adjustment at the begining of every class in which parents and children can enter and get used to the water. There may be toys to play with or a song to sing to get everyone in a good mood to swim. The instructor will teach the adult, who will then practice the skill with the child. Some skills will require the instructor to hold the child, such as passing back and forth. Generally class will end with more songs, games, or toys. This keeps the last memories of class happy and fun so both child and adult will carry a positive memory into the next lesson.
The overall goal of the Parent/Child class is to introduce children to the water and to the body motions that will become the foundation of future swimming skills. It also helps parents feel more confident enjoying the water with their child.
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