Parent/Child Swim Lessons

This program promotes aquatic readiness for children from 6 months to 6 years. Parents will accompany their child in the water during the lessons and will learn ways to help their child become more comfortable in and around water. A parent or guardian at least 18 years of age must be in the water. Each swimmer needs their own adult

Preschool Swim Lessons

This progressive program teaches basic swimming skills for children 3 years of age through Kindergarten. Children progress through three levels and are grouped by ability.

Descriptions of Parent/Child & Preschool Swim Lesson Classes

As the name suggests, the Water Discovery course introduces children to the water. In this parent-child lesson, parents receive guidance on how to build their child’s pre-swimming skills. These skills are developed in a fun way, including games and songs.

Parents and children have fun during their swim lessons, which plays a vital role in developing a positive attitude towards swimming. Children also start to build confidence and face their fears about water.

In this parent-child swim lesson, critical skills are learned. Children learn essential water safety skills and develop their pre-swimming skills through playful, fun games and songs. In addition, parents are given guidance on how to help their children develop their swimming skills.

As always, the goal is to have fun. Having fun in the water creates positive experiences and helps kids develop confidence out on the water.

In this class, parents and children work with instructors to learn essential skills and prepare young swimmers for independence.

During class, swimmers will develop listening skills, learn how to behave in class, and learn independence in the water. From bobbing to floating and turning, young swimmers develop the skills they need to swim independently.

While parents will play a role in this class, the main focus is preparing children for swimming independence.

 

The Stage 1 preschool swim lesson is all about getting children acclimated to the water. This class is best suited for children who have graduated out of the parent-child swim lessons or who have already completed a swimming evaluation.

Young swimmers will master several skills, including bobs, proper water exit, turns, floating, and more.

Once preschoolers have completed the Stage 1 class, they can move on to Stage 2, which focuses on forward water movement and basic self-rescue skills.

During class, children learn how to tread water while improving their endurance and swimming distance.

The third stage allows preschoolers to gain their stamina in the water. We’ll focus on enhancing the child’s endurance and distance skills. As the child advances, they’ll have to meet a variety of benchmarks, including backstrokes, freestyle swimming, diving and 30 seconds of treading water.

Preschoolers must learn how to master these skills before moving to the final stage.

Stroke introduction is an advanced class where the swimmer will learn to master the key swimming strokes:

  • Butterfly

  • Elementary backstroke

  • Breaststroke

Multiple benchmarks will be taken in stage 4 to ensure that the swimmer masters all the stages of our preschool swim lessons.

Preparing for Lessons:

  • Clothes, street shoes, diaper bags, and other personal items can be stored in the locker rooms; bring your own lock and leave your valuables at home.
  • Plan to arrive with enough time to change into swimming attire.
  • Come to class dressed and ready for the pool.
  • A family-appropriate and clean swimsuit is required for all class and lesson participants.
  • Swim diapers are required for children who are not yet pottytrained.
  • All pools are heated, but those who chill easily may benefit from a swim shirt or ear bands.
  • Goggles are permitted and preferred in the pool; masks and snorkels are not, unless otherwise noted.
  • Please bring a towel to class.
  • All class and lesson participants must shower with soap before entering the pool.
  • Participants should use the restroom before class; staff are not permitted to take students to the restroom.
  • If you or your child has a fear of water or has had a bad experience with water, arrive at your class or lesson early to inform the instructor. Please let the instructor know of any information you think will help your child succeed.
  • Parents of children age six and under must remain in the pool area with their children during lessons.

*The pool might be available to Y members before or after lessons for open swimming; check the pool schedule online for the most current information. If you aren’t sure which lesson is the best match for you or your child, contact Karla Toye at 513 932 1424 ext 243 or Karla.Toye@ ymcastaff.org to schedule a free skill level assessment. If you sign up for the wrong class there is a $5 charge to switch classes.

Still have questions?

Karla Toye's got you covered: Karla.Toye@ymcastaff.org or via phone at 513 932 1424 ext 243.