Myth: My child is to young to start lessons
CRUSHED
- Water is a danger everywhere, so the earlier a child learns to swim and be safe around water, the better. The earlier the understand the dangers around water, the sooner they will learn how to stay safe around it.
- At Fulton Swim School we recommend starting children out at swimming from the age of 3 months. By doing this in a parent/child class the child is not only benefiting from the lessons, but parents will learn important safety techniques on how to help their child in a water environment.
- Having your child become comfortable in the water (even if they are not yet swimming independently) is a very important first step that will help them grow in a learn to swim environment. From which you will see them learning ways to move through the water more efficiently
- Infants are born with natural swimming instincts that makes them take to water very easily. Our baby swimming lessons are some of the most popular lessons we offer.
Myth: My child cried during the whole first lesson, I should take them out and try again when they are older
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- Crying is always expected from children who are starting their very first lesson with us. Your child could be dealing with separation anxiety (which is a normal part of growing up) and they are in a brand-new environment with multiple new faces. The feeling of being in the water for the first time is a very different sensation for children to experience and takes some getting used to.
- Once the trust is built with the instructor, the tears will begin to stop. This is usually around the 3rd lesson, however each child is different.
- There is no need to be embarrassed – most kids cry!
- Although crying is a sign of communication, its not efficient communication. We will try to get the child to use their words and find ways to distract them.
- By trusting the swim teacher with your child, this will then teach your child they can trust the swim teacher also
- By giving up, it teaches the child that crying enough will mean they can get their way
Myth: Swimming with floaties helps teach children to learn to swim
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- Swimming with floaties will not protect your child, and they come with risks.
- Swimming is the ability to self-propel through the water. Arm floaties hold the body in a vertical position, not in a proper horizontal position for swimming. So, if a child that is used to wearing floaties accidentally slips into the pool without the floaties on, they will struggle to keep themselves above water because they haven't learnt proper swimming techniques.
- They are unreliable. Arm floaties can slide off, pop, or deflate.
- At Fulton Swim School, we recommend a child wearing a Coast Guard approved life jacket around any water environment. However, even though the child may have a life jacket on, parents should remain within an arm’s reach of the child. The is no substitution for supervision!
Myth: Summer swimming is more beneficial, to prepare my child for summer holidays
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- Swim lessons are most effective when they’re continued throughout the year. Swimming with family during the summer or even taking summer lessons is helpful in making a child more comfortable but stopping lessons the remainder of the year will usually result in a child falling behind and having to relearn skills.
- If you’re hoping to have your child advance through the different levels, they’ll need to take lessons throughout the year.
- Your child should practice swimming year-round if you want them to continue to advance. Not only is this smart for safety reasons, but swimming is also a wonderful exercise for both children and adults.
- At Fulton Swim School, we have a heated indoor pool, so kids can swim all year long.
Myth: Parents reaction to children’s swimming progress is irrelevant.
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- The way that you react as the parent can truly help your child learn to swim.
- Children look to parents after doing something awesome for the first time, and gives them a boost of confidence to see their parent smiling and giving them a thumbs up
- If a parent shows worry or concerns towards lessons, this will cause the child to be anxious also. Be careful on how to react if your child goes under the first time. If they cough, don’t panic, reassure them and show encouragement. A child will be scared to learn if they are concerned about your reaction.
- Avoid getting involved during the lessons with your child, let the instructor build trust and a relationship with them
Myth: Children get sick due to swimming in the Winter
CRUSHED
- This simply isn’t true, no matter how old your child is. Even on colder days, your child is no more likely to come down with an illness from being in the water than they are on warmer days.
- The viruses that cause a cold can enter your body more easily if nasal passages are dried out, but swimming facilities are usually hot and humid so your child’s immune system may actually be better able to fight off germs.
- Other people with germs will make your kids sick.
- Children who regularly exercise are less likely to get sick. The pool water is heated, and kids love swimming in the warm water.
Myth: My child can't swim
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- All children can learn to swim, some may start lessons with a physical disability, a severe phobia, or a learning disability however they are all able to learn to swim.
- Some may be able to learn more than others, or progress at different rates, but every single child has the ability to be in the water and learn how to be safe and also have fun.
- If you have been told in the past your child cannot swim, you were talking to the wrong person.
- At Fulton Swim School, all of our instructors are trained in teaching children from every range of ability and will be able to create a way to help your child progress.
Myth: My child loves the water! Just don’t get their face wet!
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- If a child is not wanting to place their face in the water, this indicates fear. Floatation devices do not help this fear as the floats keep their head completely out of the water.
- It is not until a child is completely comfortable with submerging that they are truly confident in a water environment
- Studies have shown that children who are able to confidently submerge, are safer around the water. This is due to the fact they stay calm under water and find ways to get to safety if they were ever to fall into water.
- The younger the child is exposed to water, the faster you will find it become second nature to them to go underwater.
- Children can overcome their fear of submerging with the correct coaching and patience!
Myth: Swimming lessons are just for children
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- It is never too late to learn how to be safe in the water. Even if you were taught swimming as a child but need more practice.
- No one is safe from drowning, especially without basic survival skills.
- People think if they avoid the water, they will be fine, however you never know when you may be in a situation where you need to know a thing or two about swimming and water safety.
- It is not embarrassing to come to lessons to learn to swim, we are here to help as many people in New Zealand as we can!