FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE?
My swim lessons are definitely aggressive. But I do it in a very loving and positive way. I do NOT teach ISR lesson nor am I certified to do so...because of the intensity and time commitment that IRS requires (approximately 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week for several weeks or months), and because I only teach a couple months out of the year, I am not set up to. I don't believe kids can learn how to swim the correct way or know how to save themselves if they don't getting their faces wet. This is very important. That is the first thing I teach and it is something we practice all week long. I build on their skills every day and individualize each lesson to accommodate each child. I believe in having smaller, shorter classes. My instructor to child ratio is no more than 2:1 except under very specific circumstances. This works very well and is plenty of time to complete our tasks. We set strict but loving boundaries. Every once in a while, we have children that can’t focus on swimming. It is usually because they are afraid and can’t focus on anything but their fear and aren’t giving us their best. When we have kids (usually 4 and over) that run away, fight us or just simply refuse to do what we ask, we may ask you if your child can stay after into the next lesson for a “redo” lesson. This tactic has really made an immense difference for kids that just need a “reset.” It helps us set boundaries for the whole week and kids respond really well to giving us their best when we keep them over. If you see an extra child in your lessons, that is usually the reason. Please be understanding if this happens in your child’s class. We want to make sure every child is successful. And we try really hard for it not to impact the other kids in the class. Lastly, lessons are so important and every child is capable of learning how to swim. I have found that lessons are definitely harder on the parents than the kids and all I ask is that you just trust the process. It's not always a sprint. For many kids, it is a marathon.
MAKE-UPS
While make-ups are not a guarantee, I try to offer them as much as I am able. I will provide a make-up if I cancel due to inclement weather or on the chance that I cancel for any other reason (illness, family emergency, etc.). I know that life is not simple and things come up, so I try to be understanding of that. But when 10 or 20 a week need to miss a Thursday because they are heading out of town, it is really hard to find the space to make them up. Please try to find a session where you are able to make all 4 classes. I will not offer make-up classes when I am not informed ahead of time that a child will be absent.
CANCELLATION POLICY
I do not offer refunds if you have started the class and then and then decide it is not a "good fit" for your child. My lessons are tough. I wnat kids to know they are able to do hard things, especially when it really counts like learning to be safe in the water. If you feel like lessons are too hard for your child, please know that I have been doing this for 21 years and I know how hard to push kids and what their limits are. I will never ask your child to do something they are not capable of doing. If you have concerns, come talk to me. Please trust the process. It is much harder on the parents than the kids. Please read about my lessons before you sign up. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns ahead of time.
CAN I WATCH SWIM LESSONS?
This is our biggest struggle with kids. They always want their people to watch. Because swim lessons are so intense, we really need children to focus on doing their personal best. We understand that you want to support your child(ren) and let them know you are there for them. However, it is really hard for kids to stay focused if they are constantly looking for their people. But the best thing you can do is tell them that they are safe, that you will not be visible, and that you will see them when they are done. Therefore, we ask that wherever you watch from, please do not stand in a place where they can spot you, even just once. Once they have seen you give them a thumbs up or a cheer for them, etc., they know you are close by, and they won't stop looking for you or trying to get your attention. We know it is hard because you want to cheer and support your kids. But we can’t do our best if they they aren't set up to do their best.
WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHILD TO REGISTER?
I will automatically put siblings in classes together unless you tell me otherwise. Please let me know if last names are different (or if a different parent signs a child up) so I make sure to put those kids together. If you have more than one child and the number of sessions you want per child is different, (ie: Older child needs one session and younger child needs 2 sessions) then you can adjust the drop down boxes to get the right total amount. The total is the most important part: $25 per child per session.
CAN MY CHILD WEAR GOGGLES?
No. I believe it is important for a child to become an efficient without goggles before we introduce them as a "toy". There are some exceptions.
WHAT WILL MY CHILD NEED FOR LESSONS?
Please arrive about 5 minutes before the start of your lessons with your swimmer(s) ready to get into the water with sun screen already on if desired.
Please note that if kids are anxious about lessons, they usually need to use the bathroom (or often say they do even if they really don't). Feel free to have them try here before lessons start or just before you leave home. Please understand, that once swim lessons start, I usually don't excuse them to go to the bathroom. Most of the time, it is because they want to get out of lessons. They can usually wait the 20 minute lesson. If I let them go one day, they may make it a habit of asking. Since lessons are so short, that cuts into their instruction time. If I notice that they may really have to go, I may give them the opportunity to go in the rocks. Sometimes that deters them and they say they can wait.
If your child has long hair, please have it pulled back. A towel is always nice for the end.
WILL YOU HOLD LESSONS IN THE RAIN?
On most occasions I will continue to hold lessons in the rain. We will cancel if there is thunder or lightning and if we do, we will cancel by text. If you haven’t heard from me, assume that lessons are on. I won’t send texts or reply to them if I am teaching in the pool. I've seen it many times when it can be raining by you, but be completely dry at my house.
WHAT IF MY CHILD CRIES?
CRYING IS NORMAL and many kids do it...EVEN for children who normally love the water. It is an entirely different environment for them and they don't get to choose what they want to do. My job is to push them to their potential, which can often be uncomfortable for kids. Crying doesn't bother us, but we do work with the kids to try and limit their crying because it is much easier to swim if you are not crying while swimming. If you can trust in the process, you will be pleased. It is definitely much harder on the parents than the kids.
SHOULD I SIGN UP FOR MORE THAN 1 WEEK?
If you think you may want 2 sessions for your child, I would definitely suggest signing them up for 2 right off the bat. It is so much easier to cancel your lesson and fit someone else there than it is to try and find spots. I fill up every summer and have a waiting list of a hundred kids or more each year.
There are a few things that I consider when I am asked if a child should be signed up for more than 1 session. However, nothing is written in stone. The only way to know for sure is to see them swim.
~I always recommend a second session if a child is under 3 years old.
~How much access will the child have to practice swimming once lessons are over? If you have access to a pool and can practice what they learned, then one week may be enough.
~What is the child's experience coming into lessons? This ties into age a bit, but if a child has had a bad experience or is really afraid of lessons, then 2 sessions are often recommended.
~Has the child has spent a lot of time swimming with a puddle jumper or water wings or something similar on. Often kids who have had a lot of practice in those devices take a bit longer to teach since the skills they develop in them are the opposite of what they would want for swimming. I usually spend the first few days breaking those habits.
DO I NEED TO GET INTO THE POOL WITH MY CHILD?
Defenitely NOT, Mrs. Shelley and my assistants will be in the pool with your child(ren).
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Please park in designated parking places.
Please do not be concerned if your child is in a class with another child that is not close to the age or skill level as your child. I individualize all classes and make adjustments on a daily basis to accommodate all kids. This process works much better for me than opening classes according to skill level.
Please do not feed your child within an hour or two of lessons. Many children who find themselves drinking too much water may throw up. This is very common for the younger kids (5 and under) and especially for those kids who struggle taking breaths. Some kids just do it out of nerves. Don't be alarmed if this happens with your child. It is normal and we prepare for it.
REFLECTIONS OF PARENT CONCERNS:
"I am concerned that since my child is scared of lessons, (s)he will develop a fear of the water" : Kids will hate what they are afraid of. Until they know how to be safe around the water, they will be scared. If you just stay persistent, they will not be afraid forever. Learning to swim for many kids is a difficult thing. It is not always a sprint. For many, it is a marathon. Kids don't always like it. But we make our kids do things they do not like all the time for safety's sake. Most kids do not like wearing a seatbelt, getting immunizations, eating vegetables or going to school. But we make them do it because we know what is best for them and want them to grow up safe and healthy. Learning to be safe in the water is no different, except it is a little harder to watch. BUT, if we can allow them to be successful in this environment, they will know they can be successful anywhere. They learn so much more than how to swim. They will learn perseverance, confidence, bravery, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, exercise, focus, respect, taking on challenges, safety and so much more.
"My child loves the water and I am concerned that they will not want to go in after lessons": It is true that even kids who love the water do not like my swim lessons. We require them to do hard things...even if they don't want to. We push them past where they are comfortable to where they grow. They may not like to go back into the water after lessons. But this won't last forever. Our goal at Shelley’s Swim Lessons LLC is to teach kids to be safe in the water and that means to learn to swim, not have fun in the water. If that means that they have a new reverence for it and are nervous around it, that is not a bad thing. They will be less likely to sneak out into water alone. If you are persistent, they will learn to love it again. Especially when they are able to swim like fish.