Like every parent, you want the best place for your child to learn to swim. The perfect swim facility is warm, nurturing, and safe with experienced instructors. However, it’s rare to find the perfect pool that’s conveniently located and in your price range. You know your child better than anyone, so trust your instincts and use the checklist below to find the best place to introduce a whole new underwater world to your kids.
Find a swim center that offers year-round swimming
Kids should learn to swim and practice their skills regularly. It takes more than a few 30-minute sessions each summer to be truly comfortable in the pool. Regular exposure to the pool makes kids less likely to panic if they fall or are in trouble.
Ask about the water temperature and depth
Most kids don’t do well in outdoor pools with distractions or crowded, noisy environments with cold water and chilly air. Look for a pool that is small and shallow, with a water temperature of around 90 degrees. Kids use every major muscle group during a swim lesson, but cold water tightens muscles and makes it harder for kids to move. Learning to swim in warm water increases flexibility, improves balance and posture, and can positively impact their brains!
Make sure the air is warm and moving
The pool area should have an air temperature of about 80 degrees. Cold air leads to shivering kids who don’t want to sit safely on the pool edge or teaching platform as instructed. If your child suffers from asthma, ask the facility about their airflow and filtration methods. Chloramines can hover just above the pool surface, irritating sensitive airways, so the ventilation system needs to move air around.
Find out where parents sit
Some instructors separate the humid, warm pool area with a glass wall so parents can sit in air-conditioned comfort. If you’re worried about separation anxiety, ask if parents are allowed to sit poolside. On the other hand, you might prefer the separate seating, so you’re not constantly worried that an active toddler or sibling will jump in the pool.
Individual changing rooms
If you’re taking parent-child classes, you’ll need a place where you can get dressed and help your child at the same time. If you’re stuck in a large locker room and don’t want to drop your suit in front of everyone, consider using a Chawel changing towel. These innovative coverups make it faster and easier to get undressed and dressed in complete privacy. You also don’t have to worry about sending your son alone into the men’s locker room.
Pick the pool that works the best for your family
For a first-time swimming experience, you want a facility that suits your child’s personality. Choose the most important features from the list above to narrow down the best choice for your family. Introduce your child to the pool early in life so they know how to swim for their whole life.
