Swimming Guidance - A Guide to Choosing a Swimming Teacher .... post 30

Our ‘ego’ is not a part of the learning/teaching relationship that we develop between ourselves and our teacher. Changing from one to another can affect us. Use this guide to choose a Swimming Teacher  ....

 

OUR GOAL is a ’water safe’  individual who chooses to enter a water environment in which they are consciously aware that they are able to manage themselves without fear of danger, being hurt, dominated or bullied, where they can confidently participate as an individual or within a group

 
One who can swim by choice on top of and  with their face in the water, swim under the water and on their back with confidence without assistance or any type of floatable swimming aid. An individual who knows their limits and boundaries in and around water
 

We learn to swim to be safe, develop physically mentally emotionally and learn life skills ... have fun!
 

©   We have learned many skills in previous ‘blog posts’ which we can use to listen and think about   
 

©   Telephone the recommended Swimming Teacher
 

©    There are many different methods and techniques used to teach swimming. Ask  about the method used and if you may watch a swimming lesson
 

©    At any given lesson we are observing the qualities, the personality of the teacher and the manner in which the swimming lesson is being conducted which will   influence our choice of Swimming Teacher
 

 Qualities to look for ....
 

©    Professional, reassuring, patient, understanding of all enquiries 
 

©    Are swimming lessons conducted privately or in a public facility? Noisy causes distraction. Not a motivating/stimulating environment to learn/teach in
 

©    Ideal for learning/teaching an indoor, heated at 32°C swimming pool is free of    excessive sun, wind and cold    
 

©   Not recommend are ‘quick courses with guaranteed results’. At least one year of regular, continuous tuition at least once, preferably twice per week is necessary to ensure a safe, confident, capable swimmer
 ©  Continuous tuition throughout all seasons and long holidays ensure that learned is remembered, supports physical/mental/emotional development of young children, maintains confidence and fitness until we reach with each individual .... OUR GOAL

 ©  Teaching ‘free swimming’ rather than using ‘swimming aids’ which encourage ‘dependability’ outside of our true ability.  We are limited to learn/teach swimming skills like face in the water, correct body position and kicking which in turn hinders progressive to advanced swimming skills

     
     Swimming aids encourage ‘doggy paddle’ which is a difficult habit to break to encourage correct skills

 
Water safety cannot be taken for granted when using swimming aids especially in open water where drifting is uncontrolled from water safety

 

©  ‘Drown proofing’ (forced floating under cruel and severe pressure) of an infant/

toddler cannot be guaranteed to be effective to prevent drowning.  Infant swimming should be continuous until the age of 4 years old

© Teaching children from age 4 years indicates that only manageable ages are taught.

    Infant and toddler swimming is a specialised field of teaching

©   A one-on-one swimming lesson for fifteen minutes for infants, toddlers, beginners.

 For older children to adults, 30 minutes for an introduction, orientation to become  familiar and comfortable with their teacher, new environment, routine and 

 discipline. Thereafter integration into a group of three for 30 minutes is stimulating, 

 individual and fun

©    Entry to and exit from the pool area, quietly managed by the Teacher will maintain  order and courtesy towards each other and those learning/teaching. Public, parent    

      presence is distracting and disruptive

©  ‘Orderly chaos’, visual awareness of all in the entire swimming pool at all times ensures water safety

©  Etiquette and good manners (please and thank you) practiced by all creates a happy, friendly yet professional environment

©    The Teacher standing at the side of the pool talks down to, has little direct eye contact, is not easily heard, has no physical contact to assure, finds encouragement to focus and concentrate difficult when teaching

©   The Teacher standing in the swimming pool shows affection, encourages, motivates, instils a sense of security, uses all the necessary skills to stimulate in a firm, fair, kind manner. Learning/teaching is positive at a rate that is comfortable creating the bond of trust

©   Treating each one equally regardless of age/ability/inability is kind and fair.

©   Integrating disabled/special needs teaches how to socialise and acceptance of all, that in water we are all equal

©    Age, experience, qualifications are vital to share knowledge
 

WE LOOK FOR QUALITIES IN A SWIMMING TEACHER WHICH WE IDENTIFY AS BEING consistent, disciplined, tolerant, firm, fair, kind, patient, calm, intuitive, stimulating, compassionate, generous with praise for achievement, a fun personality ... one who smiles!
 

We want a Teacher who is adventurous in approach to the learning of skills, teaches with a positive attitude, motivated, motivating, consistent temperament
 

One who looks as though teaching is a pleasure, has a sense of humour, radiates affection and care, uses an incentive for achievement, anticipates changes in development, has a good relationship with children and parents, identifies illness, tiredness, hangovers from medication or lack of sleep (teething etc), compassionate ....