Beginning as early as infancy, children can start the journey towards learning how to swim. In order to ensure a positive experience for their children, when looking for baby swim lessons West Chester PA moms and dads should make sure these classes meet the following essential criteria.

At this young age, the pace of the classes must be fairly slow, and each child should be permitted to develop swimming skills at his or her own rate of learning. Lessons for children of this age should incorporate lively songs and games and colorful water toys to further enhance the experience. Instructors need to be very patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic to convey the right attitude to their pupils and make them feel at ease.

The group class is a good choice for children of this age, as they can learn from one another and enjoy the social interaction at the same time. This format is often referred to as "parent and tot" classes, and it serves as a good opportunity for moms and dads to socialize as well as their children. Learning swimming skills as a group generates an overall sense of support and unity but also allows for individual progress and development.

If private instruction is preferred, this is another option for learning to swim. The parent and child are paired up with a teacher who provides individual attention. This can be a good way to learn, as long as the child is not pressured and the teaching method employed uses a baby-friendly technique and is no more than half-hour long.

The presence of mom or dad, or another adult caregiver goes a long way in reassuring children as they become accustomed to moving about in the water. It adds to their sense of security, and also acts as a valuable opportunity for bonding. This also familiarizes the parents with the child's swimming progress, so they can help him or her practice at home, or anywhere there is a pool.

It also improves the swimming experience for the young learner if the temperature of the water and the air is warm and comfortable. Babies do best in pool temperatures between 90 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit with surrounding air temperatures greater than 80 degrees in most cases. Swim-caps and infant-sized wetsuits can also help keep the child warm enough.

At the beginner level, it is recommended that these young swimmers attend classes four times per week for the first month of lessons. Afterwards, bi-weekly instruction is suggested. Short but frequent classes seem to be the most effective for this age group. Busy parents may not always be able to accommodate this schedule, in which case they can always practice with the child at home in the bathtub.

It's a good idea to ask other parents whom one knows if they can recommend some great swimming classes for young children, and then arrange to sit in on these lessons to observe how happy the participants are and if they seem to be learning. It's not enough to simply read a brochure or ask some question over the phone when it comes to one's child's safety and early experiences in the pool, it's necessary to check it out in person before signing up.