January Mythbusting!

Myth: Changes in schedule and commitments means there is no time for swimming lessons.

Fact: We are open 7 days a week, including weekday mornings and afternoons, all day Saturday and Sunday mornings ensuring that there is a time for everyone to learn to swim. Our month to month bookings enable families the option of committing to a timeslot for a short period of 4-5 weeks only before being given the opportunity to change days or times. We also offer the option of casual lessons – committing to only on lesson at a time – providing even greater flexibility for our busy families. If your desired timeslot is already fully booked, we offer a waitlist and will call you when your preferred time becomes available. 
 
Another consideration for busy parents is sharing the joy of swimming lessons with grandparents. We have many grandparents who take on the important task of bringing their grandchildren to swimming lessons each week. Many of our grandparents are non-English speakers or speak limited English. Sometimes parents see this as a potential issue but we have found that those grandparents are well looked after by their grandchildren and us – we are very grandparent friendly!
 
Here at Col Jones we understand the importance of swimming being a lifelong skill. For best results, skills must be practiced all year long and not substituted for other activities or sports. We are committed to ensuring that there is a time for everyone to learn to swim regardless of your schedule.
 
 
Myth: My child would benefit more from private lessons.

Fact: A question that pops up every so often is “do you offer private lessons?” to which the response is no, we don’t as we believe group lessons are much more conducive to a positive learning environment. There are occasions when a child is the only student in their class, simply because other students have not turned up and we find that children in this situation have no advantage over group classes. This is because students who are swimming alone get tired very quickly and this isn’t just young children! Often our adults comment that it is much easier when there are other students in their classes as they get a chance to conserve energy.

Children in particular thrive on the social aspect of group lessons – for those with a competitive streak they have motivation to improve themselves, and earn their own high 5 or words of encouragement when their peers are receiving them. Swimming is fun not because of the skills that are learnt but because of the atmosphere that is created in a group setting. Children and adults alike, often also learn by watching the other students in the class practice a skill – something they miss out on if there are no other students in the class. Other benefits of group classes are students learn how to take turns, and they develop initiative through preparing for their turn without being prompted.

Would your child really learn more quickly and enjoy swimming as much if they were the only one in the class?

​Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator)