When you decide to sign your child up for swim lessons, it is helpful to know that learning to swim is a journey with several stages. Good swim school breaks this down into different levels and each level has its own set of goals. If you understand this process then only you will be able to see and celebrate your child’s progress along the way. In this blog, we will give you a general idea of what kids learn in swim lessons at each stage and it varies with different programs.

Why are Swim Levels an Important Part of Learning?

Swim lessons have levels so that the kids can build their skills in the right order. Through a step-by-step process, the program can make sure that your child learns the most basic safety skills like how to float and get comfortable in the water first. Once they do, they can move on to more complex things like swimming strokes. This makes for the safest and sensible way for a child to learn how to swim. It also makes sure that they have a strong foundation before moving on.

This structure also works very well for a child’s confidence. When your child works hard to learn the skills in one level, then to the next one, it gives them a sense of accomplishment. This milestone-based way of learning helps to keep them motivated and excited about coming to their kids’ swimming classes nearby each week which in turn makes the whole experience more fun for them.

What are Some Common Swim Levels for Children?

A lot of swim schools follow a similar progression. Here is a look at different swim lesson levels for kids:

Level 1: Water Comfort

This is the very first level which is a must for beginners who are a little nervous about the swim lessons. The main goal of this is to make the pool seem a fun and happy place which is safe for your child. Your kid will learn how to get comfortable with putting their face in the water, how to blow bubbles, and even how to float on their back with the help of their instructor. 

Level 2: Basic Movement

Once your child is comfortable and happy to be in the pool, then they can move on to learn about the basic movements in the water. In this level, they will learn how to kick correctly on both their front and their back. They will also practice how to glide through the water and start to use their arms for basic motions.

Level 3: Stroke Introduction

This is the stage where real swimming starts to take shape in beginner swim lessons for children. Good local swimming instructors for kids will begin to teach your child the basic parts of the main swimming strokes, like freestyle which is also known as front crawl and backstroke. Your child will learn how to put their arm movements, their leg kicks and their breathing all together and move forward.

Level 4: Stroke Improvement

Once your kid can swim short distances, they move onto this level to work on their strokes. Here, they get the chance to work on their technique to make it better and smoother so that they can swim effortlessly. Also, they start to build their endurance which will allow them to swim for a longer distance.

(Also Read: How Can You Sign Up For a Swimming Academy Near You for Kids and Adults?)

How Do You Know Which Level is Right for Your Child?

It must be confusing to find out which level is the right starting place for your child. Here is a simple process to help you with it:

• Start with a Skill Assessment: A good children’s aquatic training center will almost always offer a free and simple skill assessment for your child. A trained instructor will get in the water with your child for just a few minutes and in a friendly way they will see what your child can already do.
• Talk with the Swim Instructor: After the short assessment in the water, the instructor will be able to tell you exactly which level is the perfect starting point for your child. They can also explain the goals of the class. This way they will make sure that your child is placed in a group where they will feel comfortable and can be successful.
• Trust the Learning Process: Remember that every child learns things at their own pace, and it is perfectly normal for a child to need to repeat a level, this will only make them better. The most important thing is that they will fully learn the skills in one level before moving up to the next one. 

Wrapping Up

Beginner swim lessons for children are a structured journey where each level gets built before the next. You need to understand how these different levels work so that as a parent you can see your child’s progress and know what they are working on so that you can celebrate with them. Visit our website to explore the various options that we have for kids swim classes nearby.

Feel free to contact us at swim@saguaroaquatics.com to schedule a free skill assessment and find the right level for your child’s kids swim classes.