Surviving the first day: A look into ways to make that first swim lesson successful

Fall brings a season of new beginnings. Kids are involved in all kinds of new things such as school, sports, or new clubs. Having a lot of firsts can be very emotionally draining on children so its helpful to prepare them in whatever ways possible. For example, things like new student orientation or meet and greets with a new teacher can be crucial in making that first day at school more enjoyable. But what about swim lessons? For those new swimmers out there or even those who have been on break for a while a first day survival guide might be helpful. Here we will tackle just a few ways to make that first day (or day back) a much more pleasant and enjoyable experience. 

Before the lesson start with a prep talk: its always a good idea to talk through the swimming process, possibly share your own swimming story with your child. This is especially good for your older children.

Show up early: Its always a good idea to be early on that first day to allow time to get acclimated to the new environment and watch other swimmers and parents interact with the staff. If you have a hesitant swimmer this can be a great time for them to see all the fun the other kids are having. We also allow kids to play on the ramp 15 minutes before their lesson which can be great for a child to get used to the water. 

Make sure the child is well rested: Its not a great idea to schedule your childs lesson during their usual nap time. This will lead to a rough start from the beginning (especially your younger children). Best to find a time when your child will be well rested and ready for lessons.  Its also a good idea to have a light snack before lessons so that your child is not to hungry before or after, good for energy as well. 

Equipment: There are several items to think about bringing before you leave for lessons all making that first day go better: A towel, Swim diaper (for those under 4), change of clothes, Swimsuit, fins (if you have your own), goggles (a good idea to purchase your own, speeds up lesson prep time), All your registration paper work, a smile .

Talk with your instructor: When you sign up for lessons with WFSS you will be developing a relationship with your instructor. Its important on that first day to chat with them and get to know them a little bit. Allow your child time to talk with them as well, and younger children high five. If your instructor has any advise on how to make the lesson go smoother be sure to listen, they are very experience and know what they are doing, most likely they have seen just about every situation you can think of. 

Allow for play time after lesson: We allow 15 minutes of ramp play time after lesson. This is a great time for your child to relax and play with some of toys and just enjoy being in the water.

Lastly relax: Your children will pick up on how you are feeling about the situation so just relax and enjoy being with your child in this new experience. Remember any questions you have about lessons or payment or anything else can be answered by our front dest attendant so don’t hesitate to ask.

Swimming is a gift for life and a journey for your child that we look forward to partaking in. We love watching kids grow and progress along this journey and have seen so many children grow and progress in our program. We are so glad you are with us and look forward to working with you for many years to come.

Math, Science, Reading and…..Swimming??

As the school season is just around the corner (or already here for some) its time to start thinking about after school activities to keep your kids active outside the classroom. Baseball, soccer, gymnastics, track and field? etc…Often times it seems this means cutting other things to make room. Should the first thing to go be swim lessons? Swimming has a reputation for being just a “summer” or nice weather activity but in reality it has so much more potential. Here we look at a few reasons why swimming year round is good for health, fun, and even life saving and should hold a permanent place in your child’s schedule.

Swimming Promotes…

Good health: Swimming is a great full body exercise. It has a low impact (stress) on your body unlike running. It can help build your Immune system. It also helps to develop a strong respiratory system. Attending weekly swim practices creates good exercise habits that can continue throughout life.

Learning Skills: When a child attends swim lessons they are also in a very important learning environment. They are surrounded by distractions and yet they must be focused and listen to their instructor. The teacher student role is developed throughout lessons and can show in the classroom. This can create positive learning skills that last a lifetime.

Skill retention: Having a weekly lesson is one of the most crucial ways to help your child improve and progress in their swimming journey. Repetition is a very important part of swimming and is a key to success.

Activity in bad weather: At WFSS we have a heated indoor pool which is perfect for those cold rainy winter days when playing outside is not an option.

Academics at a young age: Most teachers would tell you that throughout a week of teaching they might recite the ABC’s 20 times or more! These kinds of techniques are used to help calm younger children down. Learning shapes, numbers, animals and patterns are all things that young children will pick up at swim lessons as a bonus to learning to swim.

Water safety: One of the most convincing reasons to keep your child in swim lessons year round is water safety. These life saving skills are important to keep fresh and can mean the difference between life and death. Swim lessons are just one part of the water safety process but are a fun and enjoyable one.

 

These are just a few of the many great reasons to keep your child in swimming year round. How does soccer or gymnastics stack up??

 

Please call the office to 805-964-7818 to secure your spot for the fall cycle or email Wendy@feredayswimschool.com. We look forward to seeing you all year round !

Red Heat, Blue Heat….Green Heat?

So you wanna keep your pool warm but you don’t want to break the bank. The summer is a great time to be enjoying a pool but the sun doesn’t always do enough on its own to make swimming in your backyard pool a pleasurable experience. Heat loss in a pool is broken down into three main categories Evaporation (60%) Radiant Heat Loss (30%) and Ground Loss (10%) So what can you do? You could run the heater all the time but these days that really adds up. Are there options? Yes! There are and here are just a few ideas to keep the kids in the pool and the money in your wallet.

Solar Fish: These little guys are the cheapest solution out there. Not a lot to them they have some oil of sorts inside them which forms a layer on top of the water which traps some heat in. There effectiveness is debated but if you are on a tight budget and want something rather than nothing you might give them a try.

Solar Pool Rings: These are just another step up from the solar fish and do sort of the same thing. Again these are a relatively cheap item and can be effective. they idea is that they float around on the surface of the pool trapping heat and keeping it from evaporating. Depending on how many you have they can cover a pretty good surface area but not the whole thing. They do require some maintenance such as blowing them up each season (should last the season though) and they are very easy in and out of the pool.

Solar Cover: This form of heating can be very effective and not to costly. The idea here is that you spread this over the whole pool which traps all the heat from the sun. This option has three main benefits. It keeps evaporation down, it provides a barrier between the sun and the water and it creates heat from the sun. Because it covers the whole pool it can also keep it just a bit cleaner. While this is the most expensive out of the three it may be the most effective

So don’t let cold water keep you out the pool this summer. Try one of these solutions or others to keep the kids in the pool all season long. And if it really is to cold to swim in your back yard pool its never to late to sign up for swim lessons in our heated indoor facility. Check out our website for more information!

For more info on these products click HERE 

“I wanna be just like Dad”

Recently, we celebrated all those fathers out there who have made a big difference in each of our lives. Interestingly, fathers may not realize how much they influence their children even when it comes to how they eat. A recent study done by researchers at Texas A&M suggests that a fathers eating habits may sway a child more so then their mother. This study analyzed the amount of times dads ate “fast food” and what sorts of things they ordered. They found that those who ate more fast food and less healthy things had children who were likely to do the same. Of course, these findings don’t necessarily prove causality and are not perfect, but they do remind us that dads have a lot of influencing power over their children. As a father its a good idea to set a positive example even by they way you eat. Child obesity rates are very high and its a dangerous public health issue, by starting at the top with dad, we can make a difference. Here are some quick tips:

Make time to eat at home: This may not always be easy but when possible make dinner a family activity at home. To much eating out can be unhealthy.

Think about what you eat: When you sit down with the kids at a restaurant think about what you are going eat. Remember that at each meal you can set an example. Try getting a salad once in a while and eating that piece of fruit that comes with your meal instead of leaving it there.

Is a soda always necessary?: Be sure to let your kids know that you don’t always have to have a soda at every meal. Encourage them to drink water with you. Try adding a squeeze of lemon in your water to spice it up a bit.

These are just a couple ideas to get you thinking. Talk with your kids about eating healthy this kind of dialogue can go a long way. Another great way to keep your kids healthy this summer is enrolling them in Swim Lesson! Call the office at 805-964-7818 for more information.

For more info on this study click here 

Reluctance: How to foster success even when it seems hard

 When a child comes to swim lessons sometimes their natural reaction is to reject it and want to leave. This can be caused by a host of different reasons and many of them are no reason to stop lessons. During this situation one of two things can happen, the parent sides with the child and undercuts the work of the instructor or the parent sides with the instructor and helps him/her get the child into the water. If this situation arises, it is important that you trust and take the side of the instructor, they have seen this same scenario many times and have experience in helping your child succeed. It is ok to express concern with your instructor about a child’s readiness but for most this is not an issue. If you feel that your child is not ready be honest and up front with your instructor, don’t pretend to want your child to swim but make excuses to why your child might not want to swim. When the parent and the instructor are on the same page the child gets a clear picture of what is expected of them. When the parent is reluctant to support the instructor children can see it and it will be difficult for the instructor to teach. Some tips for a reluctant child:

Prepare them early: Start talking with your child at home about the new experience of swimming. Tell them about how you learned how to swim and all the benefits that come with it. Create positive dialogue.

Hand them off to their instructor: When a child comes through the door and decides they don’t want swim its important to get them over to their instructor. Children are very comfortable running from, talking back to or grabbing their parents; this is not always true with other people. Bringing in another authority figure can relieve some pressure from you as a parent.

Leave the Room: In certain situations an instructor may ask you to leave the pool area. This can be a good idea for a child that is relying on contact with parent. This will allow the instructor to build a relationship with the child. Be open to requests that your instructor may have for you, they have the best in mind for your child.  

Encourage dont Enable: Be sure to encourage your child that they can do it and that everything is going to be ok. Asking them how they feel and if they would rather try it a different time is only enabling them to manipulate the situation.

As an instructor I witnessed this scenario time and time again and when done correctly the result was always positive. After about three or four lessons the child had warmed up to swimming and had a smile on their face every lesson after. I can attest to some of my most reluctant children becoming my most enthusiastic and joyful students after a few lessons. With some help from the parents and the expertise of our instructors we can make swimming a better experience for any child. To sign up for lessons call 805-964-7818 Visit our Website for more information www.feredayswimschool.com 

Can Infants Swim?

The short answer is Yes! Learning to swim and self rescue at a young age can be a wonderful experience for the parent and the child. Children as young as 6 months are capable of rolling over and floating on their back. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated their stance on swim lessons for toddlers and now believes it is another layer of protection for your young ones. At WFSS we offer Babies classes that focus on teaching young ones the skill of self rescue. We believe that at this young age it is crucial to have the parent and the child in the water learning together. We see this time as educational for both the parent as well as the child. Especially those with their first child the swimming process is all new and can be intimidating. We focus on getting the child comfortable in the water first, then as time goes on teaching them how to rollover, turn around and grab the wall and even swim from  the parent to the wall. THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED! We also stress the importance of verbal commands and how to properly get in and out of the water. We encourage parents to be patient with their young ones and remember that learning to swim does not happen over night, it is a gradual

 process and its important to encourage and be supportive of your young swimmer. We have a great history of success and we feel it is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their child. As mentioned in our Swim Lessons: More than you bargained for, swim lessons at a young age are invaluable to a child. To sign up forour Babies classes please call 805-964-7818.

Check out this Video of what is possible

Infant Self Rescue 

Boating, Beach and Lake Safety

As we say farewell to May and Water Safety Month we must not forget all the great tips we have learned throughout the month. As a final Water Safety Month post we will look at some ways to stay safe outside of the pool.

Boating Safety:

 Life Jacket:  Always wear a Life Jacket or Personal Floatation Device when out on the water.

It is important that it fit properly. Be sure that it is Coast Guard approved for the specific weight and height of the child. Also keep extra PFD’s on board at all times.

Watch out for the Propeller:

If you are enjoying a day out on a boat with an outboard motor make sure to never swim around it while it is on. Even after it has shut off wait a minute or two because it can spin for a while.

Never Boat Alone:

Always make sure to take a buddy along when your going out boating this summer. If your using paddles make sure you know your limits and don’t go out to far.

Always have proper safety equipment on board:

Things that you should have with you include: First aid Kit, Water, Noise making device, maps, PFD’s, cell phone (if service is possible) and radio. 

Lake and Beach Safety: 

Always swim in safe areas: At many beaches and lakes there are designated swim areas, stay in those areas when possible. If there are not desginated areas be sure to check out the area for any rocks or other hazards that might be there. 

 Watch out for Rip Tides and currents: When at the beach Make sure you avoid rip tides and know the currents. A rip tide is a current that pulls you out towards the ocean. If you get caught in one be sure to swim parallel to shore and not straight into shore. Know which way the current is going so you know where you will end up after some time in the water.

Always know where you are: When your at the beach and there are currents its especially important to know where you are located. Check to see what Life Guard Tower is near you and remember the number. If there is not Life Guard Tower then look for land marks.

These are just a few ways to stay safe when your not at your local pool. For more information on safety tips check out: WebMD and US Coast Guard

We hope you have enjoyed our series on Water Safety this month! Make sure to put some of these tips and more into practice this summer as you enjoy the wonder that is water. One of the best ways to keep your child safe this summer is to sign them up for SWIM LESSONS! check out www.feredayswimschool.com for more information or call 805-964-7818 

Ways to keep your pool or spa safe!

Summer presents all kinds of new challenges for parents. Trying to keep their kids busy is a big one. Summer camps? Jr. Lifeguards? Summer school? Swim Team? And that only just names a few. But what about keeping their pool safe for their kids and neighborhood friends that will be coming over when its nice and sunny outside? This might not be on the forefront of parents minds but it might well should be. In todays blog we will look at some ways that parents can keep their pool safe for the summer. 

Access: 

This is an extremely important part of keeping your pool area safe. Often times a fence with a high latch so that younger kids cant reach is the best option. One thing to think about as your kids get older and become safer around the water is that you should also prepare for friends and neighbors kids as well. So just because you feel comfortable with YOUR kids around water think about other kids who might be using it as well. 

Rescue device: 

It’s important to have some rescue device in the pool area that can be tossed to those who might need help. It’s not a bad idea to have some floating toys in the pool whenever its being used so if trouble arises children can easily grab hold.

Supervision:

Kids should never use the pool without adult supervision. If you are having a party it’s a good idea to identify a person and establish them as the “watch” so there is no confusion as to who is watching the pool. If its a really large party consider hiring a trained lifeguard. 

Emergency numbers: 

Be sure to keep all local emergency numbers in your pool area. It’s a good idea to post them on the wall around the pool. Also think about keeping a phone outside to make for easy access if a situation should arise.

Create rules:

Be sure to list out some good pool deck rules and post them in your pool area. These should include: No Running, No Glass, No Swimming alone etc. 

Chemicals: 

Be sure to keep those dangerous pool chemicals locked up and out of children’s reach at all times. Have your local poison control number on hand in case a situation should arise. 

These are just a few ways to keep your pool safe this summer. Remember its your responsibility as a homeowner and parent to keep your swimming area monitored and protected. Don’t take a passive approach when it comes to your kids. Remember a great way to keep kids water safe this summer is to enroll them in Swim Lessons please call us today to get your summer started right! 805-964-7818

Water Safety With Your Young Ones!

Its beginning to look a lot like summer! This means that we will be spending a lot more time in and around our local water resources. This time of year is of course a favorite among kids because school is out and the sun is shinning! It also means that it is time to learn how to be SAFE around the pool and other bodies of water. To honor National Water Safety Month we are going to look at some key ways to help keep your kids safe this summer. In today’s blog we will look at how to prepare young children for dealing with and enjoying the water safely. Some children do not start with a natural fear of water especially under 2 years old. This is important to realize and prepare for those kids who naturally would like to run straight for the water whenever possible. Here are a few tips to keep them safe and enjoy the water at the same time!

Eliminate Distractions:

Always keep an eye on your child. This may seem like a no 

brainer but it is amazing how easily we as humans 

get distracted. Now days with technology consuming 

our every free moment this is even more important.  Don’t let your Iphone keep your head down for to long. 

Use Verbal Cues

When teaching your kids to swim and enjoy the water always have your little ones come into the water on some sort of a command or verbal que. As 

a swim teacher I always liked the term 1 2 3 and (clap) and then pull them into the water with me. This is something that must be kept up on in order to make it effective. Don’t let them in the water until you have done so, if they get in early pick them up sit them on the wall and try again. 

 

Teach them how to Enter and Exit

 It is very important for kids to understand how to get in and out

of the water especially at a young age. So when taking your kids in the water for the first time this summer make sure they know where the steps are and how to get to them. As a teacher I always like to show the kids how to us the shuffle with their arms to move around the wall of the pool to the stairs.

These are just three simple tips that you can work on with your young child starting this summer. Next, we will look at some more ways to keep kids safe around water! Don’t forget one of the first lines of defense for water safety is signing your kids up for swim lessons! Call us to get started this summer 805-964-7818

 

 

National Water Safety Month

Hello again Swimmers! It’s been a while since we last posted here but we are back! Since the month of May is the national water safety month, we are going to be doing a series of posts about water safety! Water is one of the most versatile and necessary things on this planet, without it we would not be able to survive. H2O encompasses over 70% of the earths surface area which means that it’s just about every where. Over the years we as humans have learned to harness its power and beauty for just about everything including creating usable and sustainable energy as well as exercise and enjoyment. But with this wonderful liquid come responsibility. According to the CDC, in 2007 there were 3,443 fatal drownings in the United States, more than 1 in 5 of those were children under the age of 14. This is a sad reality that comes along side the joy that water can bring. BUT this does not have to be this way. Since its national water safety month we are going to look at the many ways to keep you and your children safe around the water. Through education and training we can help save lives. One of the greatest ways to help protect your children is by enrolling them in swim school. We are beginning our summer registration and look forward to working with you! Call us at 805-964-7818