FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to see its answer or scroll down.
- What should I bring to swim class?
- What if my child is sick or we’re going to be out of town?
- How fast will my child learn to swim?
- At what age can my child learn to swim?
- Why should I be concerned about teaching my child to swim?
- Why start children swimming as babies?
What should I bring to swim class?
Swimming Safari will provide all learning equipment and toys necessary for class. Please bring a swimsuit and towel, sunscreen (for outdoor locations, applied prior to class) and something to keep long hair or bangs our of children’s eyes. All children under the age of 3 must wear a snug fitting, re-usable swim diaper. If you would like to bring your own goggles, be sure to write your child’s name on them in permanent marker.
What if my child is sick or we are going out of town?
Please see our make-up policy under the “Policies” tab.
How fast will my child learn to swim?
Progress is very dependent upon how receptive your child is to the instruction given, and also if there is any fear of or apprehension around the water. Once this initial barrier is removed, skill progress will be made. The learning curve for young children fluctuates; one day may seem like an achievement and the next day they may have forgotten everything they did. This is perfectly normal. Each student will succeed at his or her own pace and will learn to swim given time and patience. There is no exact number of classes or time that will be needed.
At what age can my child start learning to swim?
Six months. As soon as a child can crawl, they need to know how to swim.
Why should I be concerned about teaching my child to swim?
- Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in Florida.
- 75% of victims are ages 12 to 25 months old
- 65% drown in the family pool
- 33% drown in a neighbor or relatives’ pool
- For every child that drowns, 4 are hospitalized for near drowning
- 77% were missing less than 5 minutes.
Why start children swimming as babies?
Statistics show that drowning is the leading cause of children’s deaths in the state of Florida. Children need to develop skills to increase their chances of survival should an incident occur.
Infants perform instinctive movements similar to swimming until they are approximately 3 months old. Swimming instruction is important to reinforce and maintain these movements, increase their body strength and to help babies acquire skills such as balance and coordination which adds to their cardiovascular fitness, a benefit that lasts a lifetime.
Studies indicate children who took part in swimming instruction as infants were more skillful in their movements, more self-confident and independent compared to non-swimmer children of the same age.