How We Can Help You
Flexible Timing
Evening AvailabilityFlexible Timing
Evening AvailabilityAwesome Instructors
- Certified Survival Swim Instructors
- Basic Life Support Providers (CPR, AED and First Aid Certified)
- Annual Background Checks
Awesome Instructors
- Certified Survival Swim Instructors
- Basic Life Support Providers (CPR, AED and First Aid Certified)
- Annual Background Checks
Personal Attention
- Private Lessons
- Individualized Instruction
Personal Attention
- Private Lessons
- Individualized Instruction
It’s All AboutTEACHING
Survival Swim Lessons
6+ months
Stroke Development
Returning Students only
Adaptive Aquatics Lessons
Children with ASD & Other Sensory Disorders
When Should My Child Learn to Swim?
A child is never too young to learn to swim. Teaching an infant or toddler how to maneuver in the water with confidence can save their life during an accident. Most children do not learn how to swim until they are at least four years old, but by this time, many are not confident with their abilities to swim. Thousands of children die each year in drowning accidents, and thousands more sustain permanent brain damage.
Updated Swimming Guidelines from the AAP: What You Need To Know
In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) made an important announcement updating the age at which children can benefit from swimming lessons. “Research has found that swim lessons are beneficial for children starting around age 1, and may lower drowning rates”, said Linda Quan, MD, FAAP, a co-author of the policy statement. This was monumental news since the AAP had previously held the view that the appropriate age to begin swim lessons was 4 years old.
“Drowning is the single leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4,” said Sarah Denny, MD, FAAP, lead author of the policy statement, Prevention of Drowning published online March 15, 2019, in Pediatrics.
Through this announcement, the AAP has addressed the elephant in the room in the swimming world; if drowning is the leading cause of death ages 1 to 4, why would we wait until the age of 4 to enroll our children in swim lessons?
What You Need to Know
Dr. Quan went on to recommend looking for “experienced, well-trained” instructors. The neighbor’s daughter down the street teaching lessons out of her backyard may be sweet, but swim lessons are a life skill that is far too important to sign up for the most convenient or cheapest option. Backyard lessons can be viable, however, asking the appropriate questions and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the person or program you are entrusting your child’s safety is essential.
A parent should also research the curriculum of the swim program they are considering. Many instructors are not equipped, nor do they even try to teach real swim skills before the age of 3 or 4. “Find a learn-to-swim program that teaches true survival skills, as well as builds the confidence of the child. Too many programs are splash-and-play for youngsters, helping them have fun in the water without giving them the skills necessary to survive an aquatic accident. The alternative is not good either, giving a child survival skills so aggressively that they develop a fear of water. It is important to find a program with a gentle approach that teaches life-saving skills,” says Megan Bachman, President of the Survival Swim Development Network (SSDN) and Founder of Oklahoma Swim Academy.
Lastly, the format of swim lessons is important for younger ages. For older kids, group lessons can be a serviceable learning environment, but the younger a child is, the more focused attention they really need to learn a skill. Even in small groups of 4 with kids rotating during a 30 minute group lesson, a child may only get 5-10 minutes of focused attention throughout the full lesson. Therefore, for infants and toddlers it is important to find a private lesson program if you are looking at swim lessons as more than a recreational activity.
512 Swim Co. Instructors are certified through SSDN and conduct private lessons only, beginning at 6 months of age.
Our CustomersLove Our Service
Jenessa has been AMAZING to my two boys. My 6 year old has gained so much confidence in his swimming since starting at 512 Swim, and my 3 year old learned to swim in a few months.Brown Family
I highly recommend Jenessa and 512 Swim Co, or as my daughter refers to her “my friend Miss Jenessa.” Not only does she now know how to safely float, get out of a pool, and swim to safety but she also has a great love of swimming.Raveney Family