#SwimLessons

New skill alert!! Backstroke focus 💙 #oxfordswimming #swimminglessons #kidsswimminglessons #swimlessons #oxford

First, I want to say this: every swimmer is different. Some students do great learning bubbles first, while others respond better to learning breath holding first. As swim instructors, our job is to adapt our teaching to the individual swimmer in front of us. For probably the first 13 years of teaching, I followed a very rigid progression starting with mouth bubbles, nose bubbles, and full submerge, then moving into floating, kicking, and strokes. That’s the way I was originally taught. But over the last 3 years, I’ve shifted my approach and often start with breath holding first. When swimmers blow bubbles underwater, they are also exhaling the air that helps keep them buoyant. Many beginners will sink or feel like they’re sinking faster when blowing bubbles, which can make floating and early skills more difficult. It also reduces their breath-holding capacity, which is already limited for young swimmers and beginners. Another challenge is that many kids are still learning how to blow their nose outside the water. Coordinating that while putting their face underwater and blowing bubbles can be tough at the beginning. Teaching breath holding first has often helped swimmers get comfortable going underwater much faster. I absolutely still teach bubbles — they’re important for swim technique. But I often introduce them later, once a swimmer can: • Hold their breath 5–10 seconds • Float on their stomach and back • Jump in and return to the wall • Kick and move a short distance • Perform a rollover float or swim-float-swim At that point, bubbles become important for stroke technique and breathing patterns. There isn’t one right answer — every swimmer is different. Swim instructors — what do you teach first? Bubbles or breath holding? 👇 #watersafety#swimlessons#swiminstructor

She’s just 1 year old, and already learning how to save herself. This gentle experience teaches babies how to find air if they fall in unexpectedly. No panic. No splashing. Just calm, practiced skills. Because once babies are mobile, water safety becomes a priority. Follow for real survival swim progress. 💙 #survivalswimlessons #DrowningPrevention #swimlessons #momtok #toddlermom

Safety isn’t just about floaties—it’s about muscle memory. 🧠✨ In this demo, we’re practicing the Jump, Turn, Grab method. Whether it’s a teacher or a practice doll, the goal is the same: teaching kids to instinctively find the wall if they ever find themselves in the water unexpectedly. It’s quick, it’s effective, and it’s a total game-changer for water confidence. Hashtags: #WaterSafety #SwimLessons #ToddlerSafety #Aqualogic #SwimSkills

Breathe Without Sinking (1 Simple Fix) Most beginners try to push down on the water to breathe and that's what sinks them. Instead of pushing down, push forward. #swimming #howtoswim #rocketswimming #learntoswim #swimlessons

Here’s why you should NOT teach your child to hold their nose to go underwater 💦 It might seem harmless (and even helpful at first), but holding the nose can actually slow down your child’s progress in the water. ✨ It stops them learning how to breathe properly while swimming. ✨ You can’t swim effectively with one arm blocked. ✨ Most importantly, it creates confidence before competence – which can be dangerous. If a child can only go underwater by holding their nose, they’re not truly in control of their breathing. In a real-life situation, that habit could put them at risk. Instead, try this simple and safe alternative 👇 👉 Humming underwater to gently blow bubbles out of the nose ✅ Thank you to @swimtimehomecounties for this! #swimming #swimminglessons #learntoswim #swimschool #swimlessons

Things swim instructors practice behind the scenes👀🌊 🛟Spinal Rescues Because swimmer safety is always our #1 priority🐠💙 #GoldfishSwimSchool #WaterSafety #SwimSafety #MakingWaves #SwimLessons

After the drowning of a 2 year old at our friend's pool, I said to myself, "I can never let that happen to me". Watching our friends handle that preventable loss.....no parent should lose their baby that way. I put Chloe in swim lessons just a couple months ago. She had a great start followed by a mental block then a break through! She's now swimming at age 2 and I'm so proud of her! I'm not ending her swim lessons until she is a fully confident swimmer. Isn't she doing great so far?! #learningtoswim #babyswim #babyswimming #babyswimminglessons #babyswimlessons #toddlerswimming #2yearoldswimmer #familyfunpack #swimlessons #swimming

He stood there for almost a full minute. Huge diaper. Tiny toes on the edge. Silence. You could see the debate happening. Jump… or step back? No one rushed him. No countdown. No pressure. Just space. Then finally — He chose to jump. And that’s the part most people miss. Confidence doesn’t look loud. It looks like hesitation… and then one brave decision. That’s how real water confidence is built. Parents — this is the difference between forcing it and forming it. #swimlessons #toddlerconfidence #waterprogress #parenting

When people ask if I recommend toddler swim lessons…😱😱 I’m so proud of Aria’s progress, we love @isrswimwithjenn!! 👏🏼 - - #swimlessons #swim #toddler #momlife #mom

1. Floaties during lessons- my ultimate pet peeve. Tools have a time and place but understanding our own buoyancy and gaining independence is CRITICAL. Anything that keeps us above water or even worse, in a vertical position is instant 🚩🚩🚩 2. Spending more time on the side, not actively swimming, playing games without a purpose, or the instructor taking up half of the lesson time trying to convince them to do something? You’re wasting your money. 3. The instructor isn’t taking the time to slow down and honor their emotions. You’re going to know this is happening because it’s sound like your child is in danger. Their body will most likely be in a fight or flight response. Emotions are common and normal in swim lessons, to a degree but some instructors won’t even acknowledge how your child is feeling and that’s just not okay with me. Calm swimmers are safer swimmers. Panicking in the water is dangerous. Follow for more info on how to spot worthwhile effective swim lessons! 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️ #swimlessons #watersafety #parenting #swiminstructor #redflags

SAVE AND SHARE THIS to spread awareness about ISR and water safety Last year my daughter passed her ISR float test. As a pediatrician and water safety advocate—I was so impressed. Thank you @isr_broward for all your work with her.   There were definitely tears at the beginning (which is so normal), but now? She’s floating, confident, and loving the water. Watching her transformation was incredible.   For those unfamiliar, ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) is a survival-based swim program designed to teach babies and young children how to float and breathe if they ever fall into water. Lessons are short-just 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week-for 4–12 weeks to start with more as needed.   With my son, we started traditional swim at 14 months, tried ISR, but had to stop due to weather and a long commute. But living in Florida with plenty of access to pools and the beach, we decided to give it another go with my daughter. And after seeing Vera go through ISR successfully, I truly believe it’s an amazing tool-especially if you live near water and have access to it.   To clear up the confusion about what ISR is really about, I’m re-releasing my episode with Erika from @seastarisr on this week’s episode of The Follow-Up. We talked about the differences between ISR and traditional swim lessons, myths that make some parents hesitant, and what to ask if you’re considering a program like this. 💬 Comment PODCAST LINK and I’ll send you this PedsDocTalk “Follow-Up” episode that covers it all.   Have you done ISR or traditional swim lessons with your child? Would love to hear your experiences below!   #watersafety #ISR #infantswimmingresource #swimlessons #pedsdoctalk #toddlerswimming #survivalswim #parentingtips #floridamomlife #veraswimtest #swimmingmilestones #childsafety