FUNdations

FUNdations

The purpose of FUNdations is to improve students' body positions in the water and kick technique, to make sure their skills remain sharp, and to have fun swimming in a structured environment. This program is an optional next step after completing Survival. Students will learn hand lead swimming and a series of pre-stroke drills to prepare for arm movements, which are taught in Beginning Stroke. A variety of toys, games and activities are incorporated into these lessons to encourage a love of the water in addition to continued respect for it.

FUNdations
FACTS:

For students 24 months and up who can swim-float-swim 10 feet

Teaches pre-stroke fundamentals of hand-lead swimming

Why should my child do FUNdations classes
Learning to swim is a motor skill, and accordingly should be practiced regularly and correctly. Imagine if your child learned to walk in 3-6 weeks but then never practiced walking. While this class benefits all children, if you think you will be unable to swim with your child at least once per week, or if for any reason you have difficulty correctly practicing their learned skills, they need to be in weekly classes. Typically students enrolled in these classes do not need refreshers. It also allows the instructor to immediately identify any issues that might arise from unstructured play in the pool outside of lessons.

Can my child start your program in this class?
We will accept a new student only if they have been trained by a similar program and can swim-float-swim 10 feet on the first day of class.

What age is this appropriate for?
FUNdations is for recent Survival graduates 24 months and up.

Why do you recommend semi-private lessons? Can we do private lessons?
At this level it is critical for students to increase their independence and learn to rely even more on themselves and not their teacher. Sharing with another student of similar age and ability allows them to see another child doing the activities and to participate alongside them while the teacher observes and facilitates. This increases their confidence that they can do it all by themselves! It is also great fun to swim with a friend and fosters social development to interact with another child. In special circumstances we will accept a private lesson, but we highly encourage semi-private.

What are the skills-specific goals of this level?
-- Learn or improve hand-lead swimming with good kick technique on front and back
-- Improve head/body position on front and back, and coordinate with kick
-- Become completely confident and competent at swim-float-swim with no fear
-- Learn single hand lead swimming and be prepared to learn freestyle arms
Students who are finished with this level will generally be able to swim-float-swim with good hand lead head/body position and kick technique for 15 meters. Arm movements are not taught in this level. We discourage use of arms in class or during free play outside of class.