SwimSafer to replace NASSA

[tree nymph]

hi bubblesnsplashes,


my eldest one was about 4.5yo when he started. i think he is taking an awfully long time to learn his strokes and perfecting it too. i remembered myself being a very fast learner... aiyoh, the lesson is only 45 mins and he took half an hour chit-chatting with friends and monkeying around. prob only swim for 10-15 mins tops. that's why i am complaining... i got to pay extra coaching fees leh! :roll:

for my gal, she is soon-to-be four years old. thinking of starting her only end of this year. should not be too late right?

[bubblesnsplashes]

Monster Mummy:

Hi Bubblensplashes,


Previously, when i search through the internet for swimming classes in internet for group. I have difficulty to find swim class for the age of 4 as during that time, my gal only 4 years old

Normally, the swim school will take in around 5 years and above.

Hi Monster Mummy,

You are right. As just mentioned in my previous post, maybe about 10% to 20% of the coaches take in kids below 5. The reason is that it is more difficult to handle such kids. They are more prone to throwing tantrums and do not follow instructions as well as older kids. Thus, they need much more patience in dealing with them.

Think in Sengkang pool, I see only another 1 or 2 coaches handling these young kids beside me.

[bubblesnsplashes]

tree nymph:

hi bubblesnsplashes,


my eldest one was about 4.5yo when he started. i think he is taking an awfully long time to learn his strokes and perfecting it too. i remembered myself being a very fast learner... aiyoh, the lesson is only 45 mins and he took half an hour chit-chatting with friends and monkeying around. prob only swim for 10-15 mins tops. that's why i am complaining... i got to pay extra coaching fees leh! :roll:

for my gal, she is soon-to-be four years old. thinking of starting her only end of this year. should not be too late right?

Hi tree nymph,

On average, I think it will take about 1 year to 1.5 year to do a good stroke for 4.5 year old in a group class setting. To pick up the stroke (not do a good one), probably 6 months to 9 months including the initial overcoming of fear of water etc etc.

Did you learn when you were 4 plus too? If so, then your parents were ahead of their cohort when you were young. :lol: I think when you were young, kids started learning swimming when they were at least around 8 or 9 years old so of course these kids will learn faster.

If you did started learning as young as your son, then probably you are the top 20% of your batch if you pick them up fast.

I must say your son is really sociable. Like that, you must really ask the teacher not to be so nice to him but I think your son must have enjoy the class. :lol:

Learning when your daughter is 4 plus is quite ok. If you want her to learn fast, you can bring her to the pool and get her used to the water. Try to get her to kick in the pool to you independently or with board. Once she can do all these basic things, she will progress faster when she goes for class.

[Monster Mummy]

Hi Bubblesnsplashes,


Yes, I am totally agreed. My two children are taking the private lesson. The elder one can pick up quite fast while the gal need more practise else she will forget the stroke again.

As you have mentioned that it take about 6 to 9 months for a 4.5 years kid to pick up the stroke in group. How about in private class, do you have any idea, how long does it take for the kid to pick up.

[bubblesnsplashes]

Monster Mummy:

Hi Bubblesnsplashes,


Yes, I am totally agreed. My two children are taking the private lesson. The elder one can pick up quite fast while the gal need more practise else she will forget the stroke again.

As you have mentioned that it take about 6 to 9 months for a 4.5 years kid to pick up the stroke in group. How about in private class, do you have any idea, how long does it take for the kid to pick up.

For private class, it will depend alot more on the coach and kid. Progress is based on how fast the coach is willing to push the kid and how fast the kid can pick up. (Every kid and coach is different and law of average don't work on taking individual sample thus an estimate is not as accurate.)

My estimate on the time taken if the kid is not water phobic is that it should be faster than in group class. Roughly about 3 to 6 months to pick up the stroke but not to master it yet.

[Monster Mummy]

Hi Bubblesnsplashes,


Thanks for your advice. So in other words, it is depend on the kids and how fast they progress well.

[bubblesnsplashes]

Monster Mummy:

Hi Bubblesnsplashes,


Thanks for your advice. So in other words, it is depend on the kids and how fast they progress well.

You are welcome!

The coach and parents are also important factors in determing the speed of the progress but the main factor should be the kids themselves.

[Monster Mummy]

Hi,


Can I know what does it mean by "parents are the important factor to determine the speed of the progress".

[bubblesnsplashes]

Monster Mummy:

Hi,


Can I know what does it mean by \"parents are the important factor to determine the speed of the progress\".

The parents are one of the most influential people to their kids. The coach can only teach and facilitate the learning when the kids come for class which is usually once a week for 1 hr. Parents can bring their kids for more self practice sessions to the pool and this will help speed up the progress.

There are also other examples. Currently, for survival tests, the kids need to be able to unbutton their own pajamas and tie knots. A lot of younger kids are unable to do so and these are things that can be practiced at home with the help from the parents. If the kids only practice unbuttoning shirts and tying knots during class, it will means that less time is spent practicing other things that need to be done in the pool. Thus, progress will be slower.

The parents can also positively motivate the kids when they have done well for the class and be firm when the kids misbehave. By showing an interest in the things that the kids are doing, they will set out to perform even better. (Most kids yearn to get praises and acknowledgment)

There is also a group of kids that is termed as scared of water by the parents however, in actual fact, this group of kids are either scared of trying or don’t want to try new things . There is a difference between scared of water and scared of trying new things. For this group, parents have to stay firm and let the kids try. If the parents are not firm about making the kids try, the coach can’t do much too.

Without facing the fear, there is no true overcoming of it.

Thus, I hope you can see why I mentioned that the parents are one of the important factors.

[Monster Mummy]

Hi,


Thanks for your explanation and that's quite true. Nowadays, children are full of curiosity, ideas and sometime even want to try out new things.