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Fun

Instructional

Safe

Inclusive

Choose to Swim is a non-traditional aquatics program designed for children who want or need a unique approach to aquatic instruction.

As a recreation therapist I understand that play reduces anxiety and motivates children to work hard. I also recognize that strength, endurance, trunk rotation and flexibility is absolutely necessary if your child is to learn to swim.

Research demonstrates that when physical activity holds a child’s attention it allows him work through challenging situations without realizing the amount of effort he’s expending. This changes his brain’s chemistry as it increases his muscle strength and endurance.

Therefore, the equipment I employ and the activities in which I engage students are carefully orchestrated to insure that they work hard and have fun. This insures that they develop the strength, flexibility, trunk rotation and endurance they need to develop functional swim strokes.

Form Follows Function

Function = upper body strength, trunk rotation, flexibility and endurance

Form = floats, kicks, crawl stroke, breast stroke, butterfly

In Choose to Swim, I follow this credo. Your child must develop strong muscles and increase his/her lung capacity to swim effectively.

Therefore, instead of placing him/her in a level, I engage him/her in exercises and activity that incorporate basic movement:

crawls - rolls - pushing - pulling - rotating - blowing - alternating arms - kicks - turns - jumping - bending - stretching - weight bearing

These activities increase strength, flexibility and endurance. As your child develops these skills, he progressively develops and then refines his strokes. As this natural process occurs, I assist him through direct instruction and feedback.

Class Schedule

What You Can Do

Parents often ask, “How long will it take for my child to learn to swim?” In order for your child to learn to swim, he needs to play and practice.

Practice makes new brain.

John J. Ratey

The User’s Guide to the Brain,

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