Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, our girls were jumping off the diving board last summer at 3 and dog paddling to the wall this past summer. We did semi-private swim classes at our pool (Holmes Run Acres). Come fall, we didn't want them to lose all the progress they had made and also wanted them to learn proper strokes and breathing (to the extent possible for their age, we weren't looking for Olympic contenders). They were in Goldfish School in Falls Church from September through January and had the same issues you do - four kids per class, tons of turnover with instructors, didn't seem to be making any progress. This month we switched to semi-private lessons at Machine Swim School in Vienna and already they're doing better (still just one day a week). They do offer group lessons there but we thought the semi-private would be worth the cost and so far it is. They can legitimately swim freestyle (they'll tire about halfway through the length and start picking their heads up to breathe) and they won't be four for another month. I'd highly recommend Machine although I know the location isn't ideal for you in Burke.

OP. All PPs have been helpful. Quick question - I don’t see a semi-private option here?
https://www.machineperformancecenter.com/swim-school/

PP here. I called and talked to them about our situation and that's when she mentioned the semi-private - not sure if it was on the website or not. They usually answer the phone when you call or if you leave a message they'll call you back.

They are doing something wrong. My kids took it a rec centers and went to pool with me even at 3 months old. Swam without floaties before 3 years old.

If you're in Burke, why don't you try Kids First Swim School? The warm pool and 5-1 ratio is great. We've been going there with our kids since they opened and are happy with the progress and it's only a little more expensive than the county rec center lessons. Agree you have to temper your expectations a bit. Most kids don't start really getting it until about 5. At 4, my son could manage to doggie paddle around a little bit, but he picked up bad habits. Now he's 5 (6 in May) and has the float/kick thing down. He's at the level where they're introducing the arms. My daughter who's nearly 4 had no fear of the water from day 1 so she has made progress a little quicker. She's starting to learn to glide and kick. We've been happy with most of the instructors at KFSS, but when we've had a dud, we talked to the front desk and they either corrected it or gave us extra classes.

I, too, initially expected/hoped for quicker progress but the manager at KFSS advised that private swim classes at an early age are largely a waste. He said that kids are just not ready to swim that young. There are exceptions, but most won't get it. I prefer to have slower progress to get good technique.

Anonymous wrote:OP, our girls were jumping off the diving board last summer at 3 and dog paddling to the wall this past summer. We did semi-private swim classes at our pool (Holmes Run Acres). Come fall, we didn't want them to lose all the progress they had made and also wanted them to learn proper strokes and breathing (to the extent possible for their age, we weren't looking for Olympic contenders). They were in Goldfish School in Falls Church from September through January and had the same issues you do - four kids per class, tons of turnover with instructors, didn't seem to be making any progress. This month we switched to semi-private lessons at Machine Swim School in Vienna and already they're doing better (still just one day a week). They do offer group lessons there but we thought the semi-private would be worth the cost and so far it is. They can legitimately swim freestyle (they'll tire about halfway through the length and start picking their heads up to breathe) and they won't be four for another month. I'd highly recommend Machine although I know the location isn't ideal for you in Burke.

OP. All PPs have been helpful. Quick question - I don’t see a semi-private option here?
https://www.machineperformancecenter.com/swim-school/

Anonymous wrote:OP. Great ideas. We are in Burke. Any summer swim camps that we could do next year (this year we’ve already paid for summer camps).

Yes, took a year and a half but is able to jump, floating has always been easy on back, able to put head under water.

Also what do you all think, will it be detrimental to take out from the class now and restart with a summer camp and/or private instructor in a years time?

$120/ month for technically 5 mins a week is too much.

I wouldn’t stop group lessons and not do anything for a year, that would be bad. How about you stop and your DH tries every weekend and every other opportunity for a hour or more playing and teaching.

Are you allowed to get in the pool at all? The more your kid is in the water (even just playing and getting his face wet, the better he will get). DS is also 5 and there is a noticeable jump in how well he's learning between the off season and the summer when we are in the pool all the time.

OP, our girls were jumping off the diving board last summer at 3 and dog paddling to the wall this past summer. We did semi-private swim classes at our pool (Holmes Run Acres). Come fall, we didn't want them to lose all the progress they had made and also wanted them to learn proper strokes and breathing (to the extent possible for their age, we weren't looking for Olympic contenders). They were in Goldfish School in Falls Church from September through January and had the same issues you do - four kids per class, tons of turnover with instructors, didn't seem to be making any progress. This month we switched to semi-private lessons at Machine Swim School in Vienna and already they're doing better (still just one day a week). They do offer group lessons there but we thought the semi-private would be worth the cost and so far it is. They can legitimately swim freestyle (they'll tire about halfway through the length and start picking their heads up to breathe) and they won't be four for another month. I'd highly recommend Machine although I know the location isn't ideal for you in Burke.

Anonymous wrote:One of the things I've noticed about swimming these days is that instructors are more hands off. This is a direct result of people who have sued swim instructors for touching children under water inappropriately. In order to practice the strokes, an instructor often has to move the child's body in the correct motion.

+1, we just started private with a very hands on instructor and its making a huge difference. For $28 a class, I'd pay $10-12 more and do a private lesson with a hands on instructor. We are on team and coaches screaming from the side of the pool is useless.

You really need to have your kid in the water more, even just to play. The swim lessons are a component of learning to swim but kids need to play and explore water outside of swim lessons. My kid was in swim lessons for a while but I didn't see massive improvement until we took a week-long trip to see family where my kid was in the lake playing and swimming for hours each day. So, find a neighborhood pool and have at it.

Another tip that my kid's former swim instructor offered: have the kid wear goggles. It's fun for kids and makes them want to put their faces in the water. I wanted my child to be comfortable in the water without goggles, and once I could tell he was, we purchased goggles. He likes wearing them and likes swimming even more now.

One of the things I've noticed about swimming these days is that instructors are more hands off. This is a direct result of people who have sued swim instructors for touching children under water inappropriately. In order to practice the strokes, an instructor often has to move the child's body in the correct motion.

I am also in Burke - with 3 kids and I want them all to learn to swim for safety reasons. Do you join a summer pool?

When DC1 was 3.5, he attended preschool at the JCCNV and you could add on a weekly swimming class during the day (and the swim class, in fact, shortened his nap time). He took to those classes, I think in part, due to the fact that I was not present. Someone recently joked that he would have learned to knit if it would have delayed nap time Eventually he joined the swim team at our summer pool.

We have at times also dabbled in group swim lessons for DC1 and DC2 from time to time. At some point, I felt like we were "over" group lessons and I moved DS2 to private lessons. Then, through our summer pool eventually he did minis and is now also on the swim team.

I now have a 3 year old DD and I would like her to learn to swim. I think to start, I am going to pay a lifeguard at the pool to give a 30 minute weekly private lesson this summer, then go from there. Our summer pool also offers group lessons, but they are during the work day. I don't have a great swimming background - but from time to time, I do get in the pool with her. At her age, I think it is mostly about getting comfortable in the water.

OP, what your child needs is a lot of play in the water. DS swam by himself after about 4 months, but we were in the pool most days for at least 45 minutes.

Group lessons are a waste. Private lessons can go either way depending on the kid. Some 5 year olds are good at taking instruction, some may not have as much interest.

OP, I hear you. My 4 yr had been in the same school for 2 yrs and we took him out. Will try private camp for a couple of weeks next year. We are single income and with two kids it’s not cost effective. They lost a ton of teachers and have fewer classes now, a friend mentioned. These schools will put you on the long track. That’s how they make money, no profit if the kid learns quickly. Neither me nor my DH took 3 yr to learn.

OP. Also friends haven’t shared any good stuff about Kids first and that’s 5 kids per instructor for slightly less of a cost. Kid is in British Swim School. Most of the instructors were just not firm and when there are 4 kids and it’s a 25 min class, each kid doesn’t typically get more than 5-7 mins of instruction or practice. Prices have just gone higher.