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Swimming classes ineffective
My older son attended numerous swimming classes, which still could not
teach him to swim. My observation was that they taught him everything except swimming, such as splashing water, jumping in water, etc. This is understandable from a commercial point of view, as it is much more profitable to conduct 20 lessons, fill out hopeful report cards, give stickers, etc as opposed to teaching someone to swim in 3 lessons or so. But I am a little tired of this BS and would like to inquire as to how I can find an effective program that can teach a 8 year old to swim, as in being able to get from point A, to point B, over deep water, without sinking. I recall my own past experience as a few frustrating "lessons" from Dad, which led to nothing, followed by accidentally encountering deep water on a lake beach, which led to "mastering swimming in 3 seconds". i |
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Swimming classes ineffective
Ignoramus18183 wrote in message
... My older son attended numerous swimming classes, which still could not teach him to swim. My observation was that they taught him everything except swimming, such as splashing water, jumping in water, etc. The lessons and programs my three daughter-units have attended were nothing like the observations you experienced... Except for the infant/toddler set. Quite the opposite as a matter of fact for my three human otters. I recall my own past experience as a few frustrating "lessons" from Dad, which led to nothing, followed by accidentally encountering deep water on a lake beach, which led to "mastering swimming in 3 seconds". So throw your son in the water off a boat and give him the same opportunity to learn on the go. If he doesn't, you've rid yourself of the albatross around your neck. The Ranger |
#3
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Swimming classes ineffective
Hi -- Swimming lessons, just like any other subject, can be well-taught or poorly-taught. Where we live, we've had poor teachers at our local public pool, excellent teachers at our local public school, and excellent teachers at our local YMCA. Ultimately, we switched to private teachers, whom we think offer better price/performance. We looked for teachers who were recommended by friends and teachers with WSI certification. Ask around to find out who offers good swimming lessons in your area. Don't just sign up for a pig-in-a-poke. --Beth Kevles -THE-COM-HERE http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner. NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the GMAIL one if you would like me to reply. |
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Swimming classes ineffective
"Ignoramus18183" wrote in message ... My older son attended numerous swimming classes, which still could not teach him to swim. My observation was that they taught him everything except swimming, such as splashing water, jumping in water, etc. Your local public school district will most likely offer lessons at the high school pool. Check the paperwork that your child brings home from school, or check the continuing education link at the school website. Does your township/city have a public pool? They may offer lessons and Red Cross certification classes. My kids learned to swim at summer camp (church and YMCA). |
#6
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Swimming classes ineffective
Ignoramus18183 wrote:
My older son attended numerous swimming classes, which still could not teach him to swim. My observation was that they taught him everything except swimming, such as splashing water, jumping in water, etc. My oldest daughter took beginning swimming 3 times and passed it three times, but was still not comfortable swimming. She didn't like to put her face in the water. That's what the splashing and jumping in the water part is supposed to do - make them comfortable in the water. If they don't get to that comfort level, they will not learn to swim. This is understandable from a commercial point of view, as it is much more profitable to conduct 20 lessons, fill out hopeful report cards, give stickers, etc as opposed to teaching someone to swim in 3 lessons or so. But I am a little tired of this BS and would like to inquire as to how I can find an effective program that can teach a 8 year old to swim, as in being able to get from point A, to point B, over deep water, without sinking. I recall my own past experience as a few frustrating "lessons" from Dad, which led to nothing, followed by accidentally encountering deep water on a lake beach, which led to "mastering swimming in 3 seconds". I taught (I was a Red Cross WSI) with a man who did something like this which he called "Breaking their fear of the water". He made the beginners in the first class go off the diving board into the deep end. Some of them did fine with this, and some were so stressed that they threw up before every lesson. For the ones that can take it, it is brutal but effective. For the ones that cannot, it acts to reinforce the fear which will take years to overcome. I taught an adult woman who tried many times to learn to swim. She could float on her back fine as long as I had one fingertip on her back (no pressure - just the finger tip on her skin). If I removed the finger, she sank right to the bottom. In my case I jumped off the edge of the Y pool and sank to the bottom and had to be fished out with a shepard's crook. In the case of my oldest daughter, she didn't really swim until I taught her breast stroke. My second child would jump in the water at the slightest opportunity - with or without clothes. Children are all different. I suggest with your child that you exercise patience. |
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