Peer learning serves as a very influential motivator. Positive group energy can actually supercede the challenging behaviors some youngsters may be experiencing as they enter the “Terrible Twos” period of their development. This group effect teamed with an innovative and interactive age appropriate curriculum all contribute to maintaining the child’s interest and participation in class. An ideal opportunity is also established for social interaction between the children as well as the moms and dads. This format is just plain fun and takes pressure to perform off the child. This results in a more natural learning environment, allowing skills to unfold at each child’s unique rate. 

If such a group class is not available in your area, you may choose to have your child taught in a private lesson format. Private lessons can be synonymous with accelerated skill acquisition, due to perceived cost factors or one on one constant pressure for visible day to day achievement. This can translate into a hurried and intensive situation, at the expense of the child’s well-being and comfort in the water.

We highly suggest that if you do choose private lessons, that they it be with-in a “baby-friendly” philosophy, as professed by such baby swimming pioneers as Virginia Hunt Newman. With no pressure, no tears, with a gradual long term perspective, while working at the child’s pace. Limit your water time to 30 minutes.