Be flexible Encouragement to try all activities Let your baby/toddler be your guide A partnership – work with you baby/toddler Practise the tasks and make gradual transitions Be Gentle Slow movements Be ready to respond with cuddles/positive reinforcement Maintain concentration – keep your attention on their face for cues and stopping their head going underwater without preparation Avoid hesitation which causes confusion The above develops trust, especially when activities are completed and repeated. Your teacher will discuss what comes next to eliminate any surprises. TRUST IS A MUST. Keep trying and don’t give up Patience – swimming and water confidence ...

Why does my child cry when swimming? Sometimes it can be obvious why a child cries when they go to swimming lessons, often they tell us. However, many children can turn up to their first few lessons and just scream! Firstly, as a parent/guardian, do not blame yourself! The most common question I get from parent/guardians is “Is my child the worst you have ever taught?”…the answer is no, over the years of teaching I have been spat on, hit, kicked in the stomach, pinched, had swimming bricks thrown at me and more! On all of these occasions there has been ...

Tips to banish tears, better behaviour and boost motivation in swimming lessons What can parents do to boost motivation in swimming lessons? One of the hardest parts of getting your children to go swimming isn’t the initial dunk; it’s getting them out of the house smiling and excited, week in week out! So, what can you do as a parent or guardian to help keep your little ones enthusiastic about lessons? In this article we offer some advice on how you can boost your little one’s motivation in swimming lessons, banishing those tears and bettering their behaviour in lessons. Get involved ...

Preparing for your first swimming lesson Once you have booked and paid for your first term of lessons, it is important to prepare your child. Prior to attending lessons pave the way by talking to your child. Tell them their teacher is ….., where the lessons are, what they will be doing, where you will be watching and more.  Any anxiety is often eased by talking to them as they will have a better idea about what to expect. Tell Core Aquatics as much as you can about your child’s learning style, behaviour, medical information. The more we know the ...

What is the best type of swimming lesson for you? One to one, two to one or group lessons? There are many worries for a parent when seeking swimming lessons – will my child(ren) be upset, what if they do not like the teacher…! A key dynamic to seeking lessons is whether to have a group, one to one or two to one lesson type. The answer is multifaceted, however here are a few points to consider (for and against) each session. Please note, these are generic points, what may be listed as a con here may be a pro ...

Armbands/discs/jackets: 4 pros and 4 cons Armbands/discs and jackets are also known as buoyancy aids as they are generally used to help swimmers more balanced and keep them afloat. Many parents/guardians ask whether they should buy/use and bring armbands, discs or jackets to lessons. My short answer is no; however outlined below are the pros and cons. Pros: Give swimmers confidence Cheap to buy Reassure parents Discs can give swimmers a more balanced buoyancy To help swimmers balance and to keep them afloat Buoyancy aids such as armbands/discs and jackets often give swimmers and parents the reassurance and confidence. The ...

Five Top Swimming Tips How to support your child’s progress in the pool! Top Tip #1 Swim smart and stay safe! When you and your family are around water, use this opportunity to teach your children about how they can enjoy the water safely. Try to explain in an age-appropriate way what could happen if they got into trouble in the water. Encourage them to learn the code to safety (see below). And always keep an eye on your children when they’re around water – even if they can swim, and even if there is a lifeguard on duty. Top ...