While the thought of sending kids to school usually means leaving parents at home, that shouldn’t always be the case. No, we’re not advocating for helicopter parenting. However–if we can coin a term–submarine parenting might be exactly the vehicle to get children where they need to go: the pool.
Swimming is, of course, a vital skill that everyone should learn. Not only is it fun and healthy but it can also save lives. As such, it is essential for parents to ensure that their children learn how to swim as early as possible. But enrolling children in swimming lessons is not enough. Swim instructors should know that incorporating parents into their children’s swimming education can do wonders to ensure that students kickboard their way toward safety and success. Consider these factors and tools when incorporating parents into your instruction:
Safety
Fun as it may be, swimming can be dangerous, especially for young children. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children aged 1-4, and many of these drownings occur in home swimming pools. By being actively involved in their children’s swimming education, parents can help ensure that their children learn important safety skills such as floating, treading water, and breathing properly. Additionally, parents can assist in supervising their children while they swim and make sure that they are always safe in and around the water.
Keeping your swim school’s processes organized can also keep parents focused on their child and therefore focused on safety. Consider centralizing your check-in, payment, and communication procedures on Captyn. Making every step of the process as predictable as possible can go a long way to helping parents breathe a little easier when bringing their child into your pool.
Confidence
Swimming can be a daunting activity for many children. It’s a difficult skill in an unfamiliar environment, after all. But by being involved in their children’s swimming education, parents can help build your students’ confidence in the water. Parents know their kids better than anyone. While the instructor is the expert on teaching, parents can be the secret weapon for reinforcement, encouraging their children to try new skills and offering personal praise and incentives when their children accomplish new goals.
Children who attend swimming lessons typically only have a few hours of instruction each week. As such, it is crucial that parents reinforce the skills that their children learn in class. Parents can practice swimming skills with their children outside of class time, which can help them retain what they have learned and improve their swimming ability. With parental support, children are more likely to develop a love for swimming and be secure in their abilities.
Bonding
Importantly, swimming is an activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. When everyone else involved seems like they’re having fun, your students are more likely to have fun themselves. By being actively involved in their children’s swimming education, parents can bond with their children while also promoting an exciting, healthy, and active lifestyle. As an instructor, you can incorporate games into lessons, often involving parents, helping kids enjoy themselves while also teaching them important skills.
At the end of the day, parental involvement is crucial when it comes to showing children how to swim, and helps reinforce your students’ emotional and physical progress. By allowing parents to take an active role in their children’s swimming education, you can help kids become confident and competent swimmers, which is a skill that they will use for the rest of their lives. Give parents the opportunity and the tools to be conveniently involved in their kids’ swimming education. Give Captyn a try and see your processes transformed for the better.
