Infant Aquatics® vs Traditional Swim Lessons

Swim lessons play an important role in any child's early years. They provide benefits ranging from essential survival skills to comprehensive cognitive development. They also foster a lifelong love of swimming that can serve as the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle.

But it's important to recognize that not all swim lessons are the same. This post examines some crucial differences between traditional swim lessons and survival lessons to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision for your child.

Class Size

Traditional swim lessons often involve a group of children learning together. While this structure can be beneficial for social development, it can also dilute the amount of personalized attention each child receives. Children often spend a lot of time waiting for their turn to swim instead of actively learning and receiving personalized instruction.

These larger class sizes also mean that traditional lessons tend to provide very general instruction, which can have an impact on the learning experience of students ready for more challenging swims or those who need a little extra attention.

Infant Aquatics® lessons are one-on-one, so your child will always have the instructor's full attention. The instructor focuses on the needs and reactions of your child throughout the lesson. They also have the time to provide immediate feedback and make adjustments if necessary.

Although these instructors adhere to a tested curriculum, they have the flexibility to adapt the lessons based on your child's skills, developmental stage, mood, and even energy levels on a particular day. This personalized approach accelerates learning and instills confidence.

Goals and Philosophy

Traditional swim lessons often emphasize creating a sense of comfort and fun in the water from the beginning of a child’s swim session. Children learn to play water games, dive for toys, and jump into the pool, all while relying on their instructor to support them. Although these activities might make a child feel more comfortable, they do not give them the skills they need to stay safe in the water. If they learn to reach for toys underwater, jump in, and play on the steps, without also developing the ability to safely get air and recover from those activities, this can lead to a false sense of security.

Infant Aquatics® and other self-rescue swim lessons invert this philosophy by emphasizing competence and safety before play and games. They teach children how to react appropriately in different water scenarios, with a strong focus on essential survival skills such as breath control, the ability to roll-back for air, and for children who are walking, the ability to swim to a wall or a target (hands, steps, etc.).

This approach promotes confidence that is grounded in the ability to use their skills to problem solve in the water. When they are able to swim safely and confidently, they can have more fun and independence in the water, with a healthy respect for their abilities and limitations.

Timeline and Skills

While traditional swim lessons base their timeline on guided exploration, this can often lead to the lack of a defined timeline for skill acquisition. For example, students who are new to swimming might spend weeks just practicing putting their faces in the water before finally starting to learn to swim on their tummies. Other swimmers who know how to float or do an eyes down swim for a few body lengths might spend a few months learning to put those pieces together for a full progression, and they’ll have to spend even longer gaining confidence in that progression. This means your child might have to repeat the same level multiple times until they gain confidence to move on.

Infant Aquatics® lessons, on the other hand, follow a structured timeline, with children often acquiring critical survival skills within weeks. The structure and pacing are designed for efficient learning, which can keep the children engaged and motivated. As they quickly see their own progress, it fosters a sense of accomplishment, further enhancing their interest in swimming.

Instructor Qualifications

Traditional swim instructors usually have basic lifeguard certifications. Some swim instructors will also have a WSI or comparable certification, but this is not a requirement. You might even see young high school students teaching your children. Although this might be fun, it does not necessarily mean your child's instructor is working from a set curriculum or has the experience in child development to offer a well-rounded lesson.

Certified Infant Aquatics® instructors go through rigorous training that extends beyond traditional lifeguarding skills. They undergo over 150 hours of hands-on training as well as training in the physical and emotional development milestones of young children, providing them with the tools to better understand, relate to, and teach their students. They are equipped to handle fears, manage learning difficulties, and encourage progress, ensuring your child isn't just safe but actively learning.

While both traditional and Infant Aquatics® lessons provide valuable experiences and skills, our survival swim lessons have distinct advantages. The focus on individual attention, swift skill acquisition, and an unyielding emphasis on safety makes them an exceptional choice for parents seeking an effective, efficient, and holistic learning experience for their children.

Remember, when you choose Infant Aquatics® lessons, you're not just providing an opportunity for fun or fitness. You're equipping your child with a lifesaving skill that they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives. As a parent, your peace of mind knowing your child can safely enjoy water is truly priceless.