Warum ist grade Selbstrettungs- und Rotations Schwimmen sinnvoll?
Why just 10 minutes but multiple times a week?
First and foremost 10-15 minutes is the average attention-span for a young child, especially while they are working so hard physically and mentally! Because repetition is the key to your child learning the skills needed, they will be swimming non-stop which means they will also tire quicker. The closer together the lessons are, the easier it is for the child to remember, have a successful experience and build on skills where the previous day left of. The repetitive and progressive nature of the program allows a child to be able to roll-over-float or swim-float-swim (depending on age and development), fully clothed or in swimwear after only 4-6 weeks. Think of it like the process of children learning to walk... except that it is most likely one of the first times your child is being taught something they can't "practice" all the time (i.e. sitting up, walking, eating on their own, etc).
Why are flotation devices not recommended for recreational swim?
Floatation devices, such as arm bands, belly rings and life jackets teach a vertical position in the water. They develop a false sense of security. If an unskilled swimmer commonly uses a floatation device and accidentally falls into the water without the device, they will instinctively return to a vertical posture. A child can only tread water for so long before they will sink. The roll-over-float or swim-float-swim technique is a proven, self-sufficient way to protect yourself and children around water. Once the method is learned, as long as its skills are kept fresh and are used more often than such recreational devices, they are fine to be used for additional fun occasionally!
What if my child cries?
Sometimes children will cry during their inital lessons or when they first get in the water. This can be is their first reaction because of separation anxiety due to being away from their parent or caregiver and with me as a completely new person, and occasionally because of the hard work associated with the lessons.
I will introduce your child to the water very gently but consistent and make myself as approachable and fun as possible, building a level of trust and comfort in me and the water. Once this is established, your child will begin to learn how to roll-back-to-float and then eventually start the swimming process depending on the child’s age. Occasionally children are not content until they have learned to do at least some of those skills on their own. Please do not be alarmed by this and know that they do not usually have any other way of communicating with us. Most often, once your child realizes that they have mastered some of the skill sets they quickly tend to become very comfortable in the water again, and usually more so!
As a parent on the sidelines its important for you to be excited for them or to just sit back and watch. Clapping and cheering for them when they achieve a skill and letting them know that you are proud of them let's them know sooner that their hard work is paying of!
Please do not start your child in this program unless you fully intend on completing it. If you end your child's lessons early in the program there is a good chance that one of the first things your child will remember about the water is the lack of self-confidence in and around water associated with not having learned the skills yet. Please make sure this is the program for you before you register and contact me with ANY questions.
What if my child is afraid of the water or putting her face under?
Most fear in general is founded in not knowing what to expect or how to handle it. Because this program let's children know exactly what to expect and teaches them the skills to be in control of their own bodies and safety, and does so in weeks rather than years (with the huge impact already in 1-2 weeks), this is an excellent program to consider for children afraid of the water or putting their face under. Please make sure to mention your concerns at registration, so I can prepare accordingly, but each lesson is continuously catered to a child's personality regardless in any case!
- Kinder
- Children are naturally drawn to pools, hot tubs, lakes, ponds, streams, reservoirs, beaches, ditches and any other water source you can name. Children are also naturally curious and unsuspecting or fear free. Additionally this is true at any time of the year and no matter what they are wearing.
- Despite a parent's best efforts at supervision, it only takes one head turn before an accident occurs, especially with so many un-expected avenues to dangers such as for example a dog door to the pool area at an acquaintance’s house.
- As mentioned, according to the CDC, drowning accounts for 30% of all unintentional deaths in children under 5 years and is responsible for more death among children that age than any other cause except birth defects. Survival swimming adds an significant layer of protection.
- In addition, the feeling of being in control of one’s body in the water gives children a huge feeling of safety, independence and self-confidence. It therefore decreases frustration and increases the joy they find in swimming and splashing in the water. This often even carries over to other parts of their lives.
- Children learn to swim and float in WEEKS, not years, so all of the above mentioned benefits apply much sooner.
Why just 10 minutes but multiple times a week?
First and foremost 10-15 minutes is the average attention-span for a young child, especially while they are working so hard physically and mentally! Because repetition is the key to your child learning the skills needed, they will be swimming non-stop which means they will also tire quicker. The closer together the lessons are, the easier it is for the child to remember, have a successful experience and build on skills where the previous day left of. The repetitive and progressive nature of the program allows a child to be able to roll-over-float or swim-float-swim (depending on age and development), fully clothed or in swimwear after only 4-6 weeks. Think of it like the process of children learning to walk... except that it is most likely one of the first times your child is being taught something they can't "practice" all the time (i.e. sitting up, walking, eating on their own, etc).
Why are flotation devices not recommended for recreational swim?
Floatation devices, such as arm bands, belly rings and life jackets teach a vertical position in the water. They develop a false sense of security. If an unskilled swimmer commonly uses a floatation device and accidentally falls into the water without the device, they will instinctively return to a vertical posture. A child can only tread water for so long before they will sink. The roll-over-float or swim-float-swim technique is a proven, self-sufficient way to protect yourself and children around water. Once the method is learned, as long as its skills are kept fresh and are used more often than such recreational devices, they are fine to be used for additional fun occasionally!
What if my child cries?
Sometimes children will cry during their inital lessons or when they first get in the water. This can be is their first reaction because of separation anxiety due to being away from their parent or caregiver and with me as a completely new person, and occasionally because of the hard work associated with the lessons.
I will introduce your child to the water very gently but consistent and make myself as approachable and fun as possible, building a level of trust and comfort in me and the water. Once this is established, your child will begin to learn how to roll-back-to-float and then eventually start the swimming process depending on the child’s age. Occasionally children are not content until they have learned to do at least some of those skills on their own. Please do not be alarmed by this and know that they do not usually have any other way of communicating with us. Most often, once your child realizes that they have mastered some of the skill sets they quickly tend to become very comfortable in the water again, and usually more so!
As a parent on the sidelines its important for you to be excited for them or to just sit back and watch. Clapping and cheering for them when they achieve a skill and letting them know that you are proud of them let's them know sooner that their hard work is paying of!
Please do not start your child in this program unless you fully intend on completing it. If you end your child's lessons early in the program there is a good chance that one of the first things your child will remember about the water is the lack of self-confidence in and around water associated with not having learned the skills yet. Please make sure this is the program for you before you register and contact me with ANY questions.
What if my child is afraid of the water or putting her face under?
Most fear in general is founded in not knowing what to expect or how to handle it. Because this program let's children know exactly what to expect and teaches them the skills to be in control of their own bodies and safety, and does so in weeks rather than years (with the huge impact already in 1-2 weeks), this is an excellent program to consider for children afraid of the water or putting their face under. Please make sure to mention your concerns at registration, so I can prepare accordingly, but each lesson is continuously catered to a child's personality regardless in any case!
