Beginner swim classes follow a pattern that begins with time for participants to become accustomed to the water and progresses through development and practice of skills needed to move on to intermediate and advanced swim classes. Whether students are children, adolescents or adults, beginner swim lessons teach the basics of personal buoyancy, movement and control in the water, and safety.
Learning to Swim
Nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population cannot swim, according to the Del Mar College. Beginner swim lessons often are directed at children, and because many adults feel awkward while learning to swim, the lessons might be more of a challenge for them. Beginning swim classes are designed to move at a pace that allows students to develop a level of safety and comfort in the water before moving on to more challenging activities. Certified instructors are trained to observe and evaluate student progress while maintaining a safe environment.
Toddlers
The Blowfish and Goldfish Games classes at the Greater Miami YMCA teaches toddlers beginning swim skills. The Blowfish class teaches children from 2 to 3 years old who have water experience. Students learn about strokes, safety and how to play water games. Goldfish Games participants, who are 3 to 5 years old, spend an hour in the water for unstructured learning and playing. These classes prepare students for the YMCA classes for school-age children.
Children and Teens
YMCAs around the country teach children to swim with techniques the organization has used for decades. Beginner classes include the Polliwog and Guppy levels. The Polliwog class helps school-age children learn about the pool and water, front and back floating, how to use flotation devices and how to paddle. Guppy-level students build on the skills learned as Polliwogs and perform more often without flotation devices. Students learn the front and back crawl, backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke and diving skills. Both classes involve students in synchronized swimming.
Adults
Adult beginner swim lessons work with students who are uncomfortable in the water and facing the challenge of learning to swim as adults. Instructors encourage students to put their faces in the water and learn about personal buoyancy. Lessons continue with proper swimming form, floating, gliding, kicking, bobbing and how to tread water. Students also learn safety and rescue skills. Adult beginner students perfect the swimming skills needed to progress to intermediate and advanced swim classes, where they learn the different strokes, proper breathing and endurance skills.
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