How to Choose a Swim Program for Kids

Your child has expressed interest in swimming and you are searching for a program that suits his needs and interests. It is a perfect sport to help your child get in shape, requires very little equipment and has minimal chances of injury. It is equally fun and engaging for both boys and girls, and is an activity that can be used for exercise and enjoyment for a lifetime. It can also be a lifesaving skill.

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a program that suits your child's personality. If she is somewhat fearful of water, she may need assistance with learning how to swim and getting comfortable in the pool. An athletic child may want to join a competitive swim group to gain confidence and skills. A daredevil may enjoy diving classes that will test his confidence to the maximum.

    • 2

      Decide on a time frame for the program you desire for your youngster. If you just want your child to learn how to swim and become comfortable in water, enroll him in a program for the summe, or for a few years, depending on the level of expertise desired. A competitive swimmer may wish to stay in a swim program all the way through high school or college.

    • 3

      Ask to attend various swim classes that you are considering for your youngster. Take your child with you to gauge his interest in each venue and further review the type of swimming he will be best at. If possible, ask that your child take a complimentary lesson to get a true feel for the instruction, the coaches and the commitment required.

    • 4

      Inquire about the size of the program and the ratio of coaches to students. The smaller the class, the more one-on-one instruction your child will receive. A larger class will give him more opportunities for socialization and a larger field to compete against when decisions are made about who has the best recorded times to swim specific events.

    • 5

      Think about other issues such as budget and location of the program. Can your family finances handle the expense of not just the lessons and meet fees but also the expense of driving back and forth to the various class and meet locations? You may wish to seek swim instruction within a specific number of miles from your home to lessen transportation costs and the time needed to transport your child, especially if you have other children in different activities.

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