Thinking of signing the kids up for swimming lessons, but not sure how to go about it? Here’s everything you need to know and can expect from children’s swimming classes in Singapore.
Swimming is one of the most important life skills that everyone should have. Having basic swimming skills reduces your risk of drowning, and these skills will last throughout your lifetime. It’s also a great form of exercise, not to mention one that brings maximum fun for both kids and adults.
Given its many benefits, you’re probably drawn to the idea of enrolling your kids for swimming lessons as soon as you can. After all, the best time to start is when they’re young. But how do you go about choosing a good swim school? And most importantly, what should you and your kids expect from their first lesson? We’ve got the lowdown right here.
1. Nerves and tears are completely normal during the first few lessons.
Is your kid clinging onto you, or crying when their toes touch the water during their first swim class? As distressing as it sounds, understand that it’s totally fine for a child to feel nervous about their first class. This is especially so if you have a very young child, or if swimming is a totally new experience to them.
The best thing you can do during this time is to speak to them calmly, let them know that you understand their feelings and that it’s normal for them to feel scared. You should also inform the instructor about your kid’s situation to keep them aware. A swim instructor who’s experienced in teaching kids will know how to gradually ease them into a pool.
2. Kids don’t usually learn a swimming style or stroke during their first lesson.
Just because your kid isn’t zooming across the pool in freestyle or butterfly stroke, it doesn’t mean that they’re not learning anything from their classes. The first few classes for beginners are usually dedicated to building water confidence and learning water safety skills. It’s crucial for everyone – not just kids – to feel comfortable in the water when they start swimming lessons. Similarly, it’s also important for beginners to know how to tread water, get into and out of the pool safely. Once your kid has mastered the basics, their instructor can start teaching them those fancy moves.
Getting a feel for the water, as well as learning to relax and get comfortable are extremely important skills. A confident, relaxed swimmer is a buoyant swimmer. It’s also important to pick up this trait as young as possible (before fears start to build up).
3. It’s worth enrolling in a swim school that specialises in teaching children.
While it could be affordable to engage an instructor to teach in your condo’s or neighbourhood pool, there are certain advantages your little ones can only enjoy in kid-friendly swim schools. Unlike adult learners, kids may need some extra TLC when it comes to learning how to swim. Swim schools that specialise in kids’ classes are more likely to have instructors who are trained to conduct kids’ classes. They’re also experienced in using gentle submersion techniques on younger children. On top of that, these schools will have age-appropriate facilities – such as heated and salt-chlorinated pools – that are more suitable for children.
4. You can request for trial lessons before committing.
Mastering swimming techniques takes time. As such, it’s important to find a swim school that’s a good fit for your child. Instead of committing to a full term at a swim school, ask the school if you could sign up for a trial class or two. This allows you to gauge if the school, instructor, and programme is suitable for your kids. At the same time, these sessions can help the school and instructor understand your kids’ needs and recommend a programme or level accordingly.
Ready to see your kids make waves in the pool?
Now that you know what to expect from a kids’ swim class, you’re all set to enrol the kiddos for their first lesson. Marsden Swim School is a great place to start as it has classes for every age group, even from as young as four months old! This long-running swim school (25 years and counting!) has established levels of progression that will guide your child through basic water safety and submersion exercises at starfish level, to the final manta ray level of being able to swimming all four strokes at a competitive level.
What’s more, Marsden is known for its friendly and experienced instructors, as well as the fantastic kid-friendly facilities at its Jalan Jurong Kechil centre. We’re talking about its salt-chlorinated heated pool that’s perfect for babies to make their first splash, and state-of-the-art shower seats just for bub. But that’s not all – your kids have the option to join Marsden’s classes that are held in GESS – International School’s Olympic-sized indoor pool; or head to Delta Swimming Complex.
Sounds like the perfect swim school for your child? Register for a trial lesson with Marsden today. You’ll also receive one free lesson once you’ve signed up for regular lessons.
This post is in partnership with Marsden Swim School.
