Teachers At The Pool

Building confidence is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching swimming. An exceptional instructor knows how to boost their learners' self-esteem by setting achievable goals and providing consistent positive feedback. This confidence not only enhances swimming skills but also contributes to overall personal growth.

Confidence is the secret ingredient that transforms swimming from a mere activity to an exhilarating journey. In the pool, confidence boosts performance, refines technique, and amplifies the joy of each stroke. It's the force that empowers swimmers to conquer challenges and face their fears head-on, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth. As swimmers build confidence, they unlock new levels of achievement, both in the water and beyond.

What do you do to build confidence in your swimmers? 👇

Professionalism encompasses reliability, punctuality, and a commitment to ongoing education. Great instructors are dedicated to their profession, continually seeking out new training opportunities and staying updated on the latest teaching techniques and safety protocols.

In the world of business ownership, especially when coaching or mentoring children, professionalism isn't just a quality—it's a necessity. For swim instructors, swim parents entrust you with more than just teaching strokes; they rely on you to be a steadfast pillar in their children's lives. Your professionalism shapes not only the success of your business but also the growth and confidence of the young swimmers you guide.

By embodying reliability, integrity, and dedication, you earn the trust of parents and inspire the children you coach. This powerful influence extends beyond the pool, nurturing a positive and lasting impact on their development. Embrace the role of a role model, and let your professionalism propel both your business and your young athletes to new heights.

A positive attitude is infectious. Great swim instructors bring energy and enthusiasm to every lesson, creating an enjoyable and motivating learning environment. Their passion for swimming inspires students to develop a love for the water and a desire to improve.

Children are like little mirrors, reflecting the attitudes and emotions of the adults around them. When we, as grown-ups, approach life with a negative mindset, it's no surprise that the kids in our lives might mimic that same behavior. Emotions are contagious, and as humans, we naturally feed off each other's vibes. That's why it's so important to model positivity and enthusiasm for our young ones. By setting a cheerful example, we not only brighten our own outlook but also plant the seeds for a brighter future in those who look up to us.

Every swimmer is different, with varying strengths, weaknesses, and learning paces. A great instructor is adaptable, able to modify lessons to cater to individual needs. They also employ creative teaching methods to keep lessons engaging and fun, which is especially important when working with children.

Sometimes you have swimmers that are great with going along with the plan, other times, you need to offer choices. Other students prefer you switch it up often and then others need new challenges at every lesson. Great instructors will learn this about their swimmers and cater to them.

What is your favorite way to modify a swim lesson for your students?

Safety is paramount in any aquatic environment. A great swim instructor always prioritizes safety, maintaining vigilant supervision and adhering to best practices for preventing accidents. They are trained in first aid and CPR, ready to respond swiftly and effectively in case of an emergency.

As a swim instructor, you know you can NEVER turn your back on your swimmers. You have learned all the tricks to take your kiddos for a swim while keeping an eye on the kiddos still at the wall or riser. It only takes one second for a swimmer to slip from the wall, so you have to be ready to act if needed.

Empathy allows instructors to connect with their students on an emotional level. By putting themselves in their learners’ shoes, great instructors can offer encouragement and support that resonates deeply. This empathetic approach helps build trust and motivates students to push through their fears and challenges. This really goes hand in hand with patience and understanding.

Being empathetic and encouraging a swimmer can ultimately be the difference between a swimmer gradually learning to be comfortable and enjoying the water or them growing to despise coming to swim lessons.

Effective communication is key to successful teaching. You will not only be speaking and interacting with your students, but also their parents. A great swim instructor can convey instructions clearly and concisely, using both verbal cues and demonstrations. They adapt their communication style to suit different age groups and learning abilities, ensuring everyone feels understood and supported.

Meanwhile, you will need to be able to clearly and thoroughly explain where your swimmer is at to their parents, what skills you are working on and how they can help outside the pool. I personally speak with my swim parents after every single lesson. I want them to spend time as a family working on the skills we've worked on together.

Teaching swimming often involves working with individuals who may be fearful or anxious about being in the water. Patience is crucial. A great instructor takes the time to understand each learner’s unique challenges and provides gentle, reassuring guidance. They recognize that progress can be slow and celebrate small victories along the way.

I worked with my friend's daughter today. She is a tall 5 year old who is very nervous about the water. Even though she can easily stand in the pool, she prefers to stay comfortably on the stairs. She also doesn't like water splashing her face whatsoever. She knows me from outside the pool, so she is comfortable with me in general.

When we first began our lesson, she exclaimed that she did not want to do a swim lesson and tried to run away. Once I got her into the pool, she clung to me as if her life depended on it. We didn't do any swimming in this lesson, we simply played and sang songs to build her comfort. After seeing the other children in the lesson kick, she asked me if she could kick back to the wall while still clinging tightly to my neck. It wasn't perfect, but it was progress and I praised her and gave her high-fives so she knew how proud I was of her. I know with more time in the pool, she will build her confidence.

While knowledge of swimming techniques is at the top of the list of being a great swim instructor, it is but one component of being a great swim instructor. Of all of the things it takes to be a great swim instructor, this is the one that is the most easily taught to a new instructor. It's far easier to teach someone swimming techniques than it is to teach patience, understanding, and empathy to someone who doesn't already understand them.

At the core, a great swim instructor must have an understanding of swimming techniques. This includes proficiency in different strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), as well as knowledge about breathing techniques, body positioning, and propulsion methods.

An great swim instructor can break down complex movements into simple, understandable steps that are easy for learners to grasp. After all, most people, especially children, learn best when each swim is broken down into it's separate parts. Swimmers can more easily master smaller chunks and work towards putting them all together.

What are the first skills you teach as a swim instructor? 🤔👇

Swimming is not just a vital life skill; it’s also a gateway to a lifelong love of water-based activities. For many, the journey begins with a swim instructor who imparts not only the technical skills but also instills confidence and enjoyment in the water.

I still fondly remember my first swim instructor at our local community pool when I was a child. I could hold my breath and bob under, but I couldn't yet dive down to collect toys. My swim instructor would let me hold his leg to help get to the bottom of the pool to grab the sink toys. It might not seem like much, but this small kindness is what made swim lessons fun for me.

What makes a swim instructor truly great?

The journey to helping children feel comfortable in the pool is a beautiful, gradual process that begins with meeting them where they are. It's about understanding their fears, earning their trust, and turning the pool into a place of joy and laughter rather than anxiety.

I have sadly seen many children pushed too hard in swim lessons before they are ready. This just sets the stage for more fear and anxiety as they get older. Take your time, don't rush the process.

Have you had anxious swimmers come to you? How do you handle it?

How Many Non-Americans, Who Trained In the U.S., Won Olympic Swimming Medals? The two best swimmers of the Olympics, Leon Marchand and Summer McIntosh, both train in the U.S., but neither are American.

For many children, taking swim lessons at a swim school can be a stressful experience. The structured environment and the pressure to perform in front of peers can sometimes overshadow the joy of learning to swim. These settings often emphasize progress and milestones, which might make some kids feel anxious or rushed. By contrast, learning to swim in a more relaxed and familiar setting, like at home with a parent, allows children to progress at their own pace. This nurturing approach can transform swimming into a treasured activity, full of shared laughter and gentle encouragement, rather than a source of stress.

Swimming should be enjoyable, not stressful. When you teach your own child, you can take the pressure off and focus on making it fun. Play games, sing songs, and let laughter fill the air. When children associate swimming with positive experiences, they're more likely to look forward to lessons and enjoy the process. Your relaxed and joyful approach can turn learning into an adventure rather than a chore.

Teaching your child to swim is more than just imparting a crucial life skill—it's about fostering a deeper connection, understanding their unique needs, saving costs, practicing in familiar settings, and keeping the experience enjoyable for you and your little swimmer.

By taking on this role, you’re giving your child the gift of confidence, safety, and a lifetime love of water. Dive in and embrace the journey—you'll both treasure these moments forever.

Ready to teach your child how to swim? Learn how to do it here: https://www.learntoteachswim.com/category/for-parents

Another advantage of teaching your child to swim is the ability to practice in environments where they'll most likely be using their skills. Whether it’s your home pool, a community center, or a local lake, familiar settings can make a big difference in how comfortable your child feels in the water. They get used to the places they’ll frequent, making their swimming experience more relevant and practical.

Teaching swim lessons in a familiar place, like your home or community pool, not only enhances comfort but also significantly increases safety. As a parent, you have the unique opportunity to show your child the specific dangers and safe zones of their own environment. Whether it's pointing out the deep end, identifying slippery spots, or teaching them where it's safest to play, these personalized lessons help your child become more aware and cautious, not to mention the fact that it might just save your child's life. This intimate knowledge fosters a sense of security and preparedness, ensuring they can enjoy swimming safely while staying mindful of their surroundings.

Swimming lessons can be costly, and there's no guarantee that your child will learn to swim during the designated session. I can't tell you how many parents come to me for lessons after they've taken multiple sessions at the local pool with no advancement of their swimmer. It is so frustrating feeling like you are throwing your money away for your child not to gain the skills they need to move on.

By taking the reins, you save money while still providing high-quality instruction to your child. Plus, you'll be able to dedicate as much time as needed without worrying about the constraints of a structured program. The investment of your time and effort pays off in more ways than one.

No one knows your child better than you do. Some kids are natural water babies, while others need a bit more time and reassurance. By teaching your child yourself, you can tailor each lesson to their unique needs and abilities. You can go at their pace, spend extra time on skills they find challenging, and celebrate their strengths. This personalized approach helps build confidence and ensures that they feel safe and supported every step of the way.

Imagine the peaceful moments of teaching your child to swim, just the two of you, away from the chaos of crowded public pools. In these one-on-one sessions, your undivided attention provides a nurturing environment where your child can learn at their own pace. Unlike group lessons with an overwhelmed and underqualified teenager, your personalized guidance ensures focused instruction tailored to your child's unique needs. This intimate setting fosters quicker learning, stronger skills, and treasured memories, turning each swim lesson into a shared adventure filled with trust and connection.

Imagine splashing in the water with your little one, hearing their giggles echo around the pool. These moments aren’t just about learning to swim; they’re about creating a special bond between you. Being in the water together can be a magical experience, filled with joy and connection. You get to be there for every milestone, cheering them on as they conquer their fears and celebrate their successes.

There is something really special about seeing it all come together and witnessing their first independent swim. It's a lot like watching them walk for the first time. You are blown away by their confidence and a little choked up that your baby is growing up.

There's something truly magical about water – the way it swirls around, its cool embrace, and the endless fun it promises. As parents, we have the unique opportunity to introduce this enchanting world to our children through swimming. More than just a life-saving skill, teaching your child to swim can be a heartwarming journey filled with cherished moments and lasting memories.

I love this so much!!

In May, US polo team captain Maggie Steffens asked for financial help on Instagram. Flavor Flav – William Jonathan Drayton Jr – answered the call: “As a girl dad and supporter of all women’s sports, imma personally sponsor you, my girl, whatever you need. And imma sponsor the whole team.”

Flav signed a five-year sponsorship deal to “elevate the visibility and excitement surrounding water polo in the United States.” The sponsorship includes personal appearances and financial contributions to help with equipment, facilities, and anything else they need. This is how it’s done 👏

Skip the mask and go with the goggles for the kiddos!

Water Safety: Goggles vs. Masks

I know it may seem like a small thing, but there is a big difference between goggles and masks.

Masks have a covering for the nose and goggles don’t.

I prefer my kids in goggles for safety reasons, and I also make sure they can swim without them.

The nose covering in masks can be dangerous in an emergency. If a child is in distress they may only be able to get their nose out of the water, not their mouth. I’d like to give them the chance to have access to air, which they won’t have in a mask.

Masks can also fill with water. Goggles can too, but in goggles the water trapped isn’t around their nose. If they freak out and breathe in they may aspirate water.

Masks can also make it harder to “read” facial expressions when looking for distress and can also trap pulmonary surfactant (“foam”) under the mask in a drowning event.

Part of learning to swim safely in the water is learning to control your breathing through your nose. When you wear a mask this skill is not the same. So, I always recommend kids do not learn to swim with a mask on.

My kids wear goggles for learning to swim (it can be a harsh environment for the eyes), but they also enter the water without their goggles to ensure they have a comfort level and won’t panic if they fall in, get pushed in, or accidentally forget the goggles.

Many masks also are made from glass which is one thing we want to avoid around the pool. If this glass shatters (which happens more than you think it would) it could mean a full drain for the pool in order to get all the glass out which is costly and time consuming, not to mention all the people in bare feet with broken glass. Many aquatic facilities will also not allow masks for these reasons.

Hope this is helpful! Tag someone who needs to know this tip!

If you want to see our favorite goggles we have them in our amazon links page. Check it out in our bio!

Stay safe! Stay smart!

Olympic swim schedule! You still have time too watch!

Olympic Swimming: Schedule, How to Watch and Everything You Need to Know Olympic Swimming: Schedule, How to Watch and Everything You Need to Know heading into the 2024 Paris Games in the pool.

Today is National Teacher Day! Here's a throwback to 2015 when I was a teacher before I started teaching swim lessons as a serious source of income.

At the time, I was actually pregnant with my first child. When he was born, I only had six weeks off for maternity leave. I was absolutely devastated to return to work with other children while my baby went to childcare.

As I walked down the hall to my classroom that first day, the first person I encountered was our custodian. He called out to me to ask me how I was doing and a burst into tears. Bless his soul, he was kind enough to hug me and let me cry on his shoulder until I regained my composure. I knew right then that I would not be able to continue my career as a teacher, even though I loved teaching and connecting with students.

I had always loved teaching swim lessons and I knew that it would satisfy my desire to work with children while teaching them a valuable, life-saving skill. Plus, I could create a schedule that worked for me and my baby.

So, I decided to go all in that summer and have never looked back!

Here's a throwback to when I worked as aquatics manager at a large gym. I loved the aquatics aspect, but that was pretty much it. The hours were long, the pay was low and there was no flexibility what so ever.

This was just another step along the path of discovery of working for myself as a mobile swim instructor.

Where are you at on your journey?

This book is a MUST read for parents and anyone working with children. It will change the way you think about smartphones for your children and even for yourself.

In the book, the author reveals how Gen Z has been used as guinea pigs to see what would happen to developing brains when they were exposed to constant internet access, social media, and p**n.

Adolescents today are experiencing more mental health problems of anxiety, depression, and self-harm since smartphones were released in 2007.

The author discusses two trends happening right now: overprotection in the real world and under-protection in the virtual world, which is leading to an anxious generation.

Haidt suggests four foundational reforms:

1. No smart phones before high school
2. No social media before 16
3. Phone-free schools
4. Far more unsupervised play and childhood independence

We need to do better for our children.

No matter what your primary motivation is for teaching swim lessons, when you decide to teach swim lessons over the summer, you are deciding to save lives. When you are in the middle of a super fun lesson or even a really challenging lesson, you aren't thinking about how you are working toward preventing a drowning, you are simply in the moment. It's not until a parent comes back and let's you know what happened that you learn the true impact you've had on a life.

I worked with one family that had an odd set up around their pool. The entrance to the yard was much higher than the pool, so there were several steps down to get the pool area, which was fenced. On the opposite side of the patio, the pool had a large fountain that had soil and plants built up around it. The problem was, the fountain and plant area was also an area where the family dogs wanted to hang out. The dogs had ripped down multiple panels around the pool, creating access for the family's son.

The 4 year old went out to play on a sunny, but chilly winter day. He made his way to the ripped pool fence and headed up the steep planted area with the fountain. The young man fell into the deep end of the pool from the fountain. Thankfully, he had taken several years of swim lessons with me and was able to rescue himself, climb out of the pool and tell his parents the happy ending.

I never imagine my students needing to use the skills I teach them, but I am greatful they are able to when an emergency arises.

Top 7 reasons why you should teach swim lessons this summer

1. To save lives, of course!
2. Become financially free/make extra income for your family
3. Build community
4. Create freedom of time by setting your own schedule
5. Spend time in the sunshine
6. Feel appreciated and valued for your work
7. Have fun!

When I'm not teaching swim lessons or training new swim instructors, I'm spending time with my own three kiddos.

I homeschool these three beautiful souls I've been blessed with. I am fortunate that I'm able to spend so much quality time with them. We really enjoy visiting parks and being in nature together.

Of course, I also LOVE teaching them swim lessons when our pool opens up. It allows me to share one of my true passions in life with them, along with teaching them a life-saving skill. It's a fun time for us to play and bond with one another.

Every parent has the potential to their own child to swim. It just takes patience and repetition. You don't have to have a pool either, the local lake is a wonderful place to practice and play together too!

Hooray! April is a great month to start marketing and scheduling your swim lessons this summer.

I typically start teaching my lessons the first week of June. Depending on where I am living at the time, I might start a bit later to give the pools time to heat up.

This gives me about two months to get my calendar updated and booked. For mobile swim lessons, I only accept lessons that I can get to in 15 minutes. I don't want to eat up all of my precious time driving instead of teaching. After all, the schedule has to work for my family.

I use a simple spreadsheet to create my lesson slots and add in my students names and addresses. This keeps it low cost and simple for my small operation.

Comment schedule if you would like my scheduling template.

You don't have to be a professional swimmer to teach swim lessons. You just have to show up consistently for your little swimmers.

Summer is quickly approaching! Will you be teaching your own child to swim this year? I can help with that! Check out the new link below for all the parents that want to spend quality time teaching their child. NO SWIM EXPEREINCE NECESSARY!

https://2071096999952.gumroad.com/l/zsone?_gl=1*1rq3l5w*_ga*MTc3NjA2ODUyMS4xNjgyNTMwODYx*_ga_6LJN6D94N6*MTY4MjUzODM2OS4zLjEuMTY4MjUzODc3My4wLjAuMA..