Swimming lessons and Lifeguard: from when on and what does your child learn?
Swimming lessons teach your child how to manage well in the water. This way you can enjoy a visit to the swimming pool or the beach without any worries. From when can your child take swimming lessons, how much does it cost and what exactly does he learn?
What is swimming lessons And Lifeguard?
During swimming lessons, your child learns to swim under the supervision of a lifeguard certification online or lifeguard. First he learns to feel water-free. This means that he feels safe in the water and is not afraid.
The teacher helps your child with this by playing games in the water, letting him jump off the side and helping him to go under. Once this goes well, your child is ready to learn different swimming techniques.
Lesson duration and group
A swimming lesson takes an average of 45 to 60 minutes. Usually your child will be taught together with other children. The size of the group differs per swimming pool. Sometimes a group consists of a maximum of eight children.
At other pools, fifteen children receive swimming lessons at the same time. Does your child need a little more attention, for example because he has a fear of swimming?
Then (temporary) private lessons are often possible. He then receives swimming lessons alone or together with one or two other children. Some swimming pools also have special groups for children with a fear of swimming.
From when on swimming lessons?
It is best for your child to start swimming lessons when he is between 4.5 and 6 years old. This is the advice of the National Swimming Safety Board. This foundation aims to teach everyone in the Netherlands how to swim well.
The foundation advises not to start swimming lessons before your child is 4.5 years old. Your toddler is probably not yet sufficiently developed motorically to meet the requirements of the A diploma.
Moreover, your child starts primary school when he is 4 years old , which is a big change for him. So rather wait with swimming lessons until your little one is used to school.
Some parents like to start swimming lessons earlier. They want their child to be able to manage well in the water as quickly as possible, for example because they live close to water.
Many swimming pools offer courses to familiarize your baby or toddler with water at an early age. During a baby swimming or toddler swimming course , your child will become acquainted with water and learn how to float, turn or climb on the side. This makes it more water-free. This will give him a head start when he starts swimming lessons.
The Swimming ABC
In the Netherlands, most children learn to swim according to the Zwem-ABC. At the end of this programmed, your child will have obtained diplomas A, B and C.
Obtaining the swimming diplomas is not mandatory. Your child also does not have to pass the full Swim ABC, but the National Swimming Safety Board does recommend this.
Only after obtaining the Swimming Diploma C will your child swim well enough to be able to manage in open water.
With the Swimming ABC, your child learns the basics of swimming at a leisurely pace. How long it takes a child to pass the Swimming ABC varies greatly.
Obtaining diploma A takes an average of 48 teaching hours and obtaining diplomas B and C takes an average of 12 hours per diploma.
Swimming lessons after passing the Swimming ABC
Has your child passed the entire Swimming ABC, but would he like to continue with swimming lessons? Then there are more diplomas he can get.
For example, your child can take lessons in snorkeling, swimming skills, synchronized swimming and rescue swimming. Inquire at your swimming pool about the possibilities.
School swimming
Some children receive swimming lessons through their primary school. About 30% of Dutch municipalities offer free school swimming. The way in which this is done differs per municipality and per school.
Some children can get their diplomas through school swimming. Other children only get a kind of gym class in the swimming pool. Ask your child’s school or the municipality how this is arranged for you.
Cost of swimming lessons
The costs for swimming lessons differ per swimming pool or swimming club. For 45 minutes of swimming lessons you pay €6 to €10. In addition to tuition fees, you often also pay registration fees (approximately €10) and/or diploma fees (approximately €20 per diploma).
Does your child pass the Swim-ABC within the average time of 72 hours? Then you have lost about € 606 to € 990. This is quite a difference. It is therefore smart to compare the prices of different swimming pools.
One child gets his diploma faster than the other. What you spend on swimming lessons therefore differs per child. Some swimming pools offer lesson packages with a success guarantee. This way you know in advance how much your child’s swimming lessons will cost.
Is it difficult for you to pay for swimming lessons? Then contact your municipality. This can often help pay for swimming lessons for your child. You can also check out the Sam& website . This partnership helps parents with a low income to pay for swimming lessons or school trips, for example.
Also Read About: 7 reasons why Lifeguarding and swimming training is extremely useful
Tips for swimming lessons
The following tips may come in handy when your child starts swimming lessons.
Familiarize your child with water from an early age. The sooner your child is anhydrous, the easier he will probably get his diplomas. So it can help to go baby swimming or toddler swimming with your little one.
Find a pool that makes you feel good. For example, ask about the way of teaching and whether you can come and watch as a parent. You may also be curious about the group size and the duration of a swimming lesson. Ask other parents about their experiences.
