Experienced Swim Instructors Make Learning To Swim More Fun

Kids learn to swim best when an experienced instructor teaches them. They’re more engaged and motivated. They’re also more likely to have a good time, since the instructors plan fun activities during the lessons. Even if certain segments are boring, the fun stuff holds kids’ interest and makes the instruction memorable.

If you’re unsure whether you should teach your child to swim at home or enroll him or her into formal group swim lessons, read on. We’ll highlight the many ways in which certified, experienced swim instructors help children learn to become successful swimmers.

They Know How To Keep Children Engaged

One of the challenges of teaching children to swim is keeping them engaged during the lessons. Their attention spans are short, which means the instructor must know how to maintain their interest.

Experienced swim coaches are adept at stimulating both emotional and cognitive engagement in children. They know how to keep kids excited during the lessons so that active learning occurs.

They Know How To Motivate Kids To Do Their Best

Many children are unmotivated to put forth their best effort. Some need an incentive. Others are naturally lethargic. This attribute is most often seen in how they approach their schoolwork.

The manner in which kids learn to swim is similar. Many lack motivation and perform beneath their natural abilities. Experienced instructors know how to reach such kids and inspire them to do their best. They know how to assess a child’s strengths, identify areas that could benefit from attention, and encourage him or her to excel.

They Understand The Harm That Anger Can Cause

When it comes to teaching children how to swim, professional trainers know that nothing is gained through anger. While it’s true that kids can sometimes be taxing on the nerves, displaying anger is a losing proposition for all parties.

An experienced swim instructor knows how to remain calm and composed when students refuse to perform, are constantly distracted, or draw other students’ attention away from the lessons. He or she understands that yelling and punishing the offenders does more harm than good.

Remaining calm and positive shows respect to students. It’s a more successful approach to encouraging good behavior.

They Understand The Value Of Sincere, Specific Praise

As a parent, you already know the value of praise. Kids tend to behave and perform better when they receive parental validation.

The same principle is true when children learn how to swim. They light up when the instructor praises them for doing something correctly. Experienced swim instructors realize that acknowledging and rewarding good behavior has a significant influence on the student who receives the attention. It reinforces his or her good conduct.

Praise also influences the recipient’s peers, who desire the same positive feedback. It has a ripple effect that causes the entire group to become more attentive and engaged.

A good instructor also knows how to praise students. He or she recognizes that the praise must be sincere, descriptive, and focused on things that students can influence. For example, telling a student “your freestyle stroke was perfect!” is more effective than simply telling him or her “good job!”

They Know How To Keep The Swim Lessons Fun

Children are attentive when they’re having fun. Their enjoyment means they’re relaxed and engaged. And that means they’re more receptive to the instruction.

That’s certainly the case when kids learn how to swim. Those who have fun during the lessons are usually the ones who progress the quickest. They pay greater attention to the instructor and are more responsive to his or her directions.

Swim instructors who regularly work with kids know how to make learning to swim fun. They plan activities kids enjoy, often turning the lessons into games. They also tailor the instruction to the group’s collective skill set and attention span.

A child who has fun while learning to swim will stay engaged and motivated, and as a result become proficient in the water more quickly.

If you’re thinking about enrolling your child into group swim lessons, realize that an experienced swim instructor can add significant value. Teaching independent submersion, proper breathing, and stroke mechanics is only the beginning. The instructor will also know how to keep your child interested and excited, both of which are crucial to becoming a successful swimmer.