Let’s Talk! 4 Ways to Speak Up Pt. 4
Written By
by Corina Oaches
Published on
This is the fourth and final part of our series on how to bring up a concern about your child’s swim lessons.
Last week, we talked about feeling your instructor is pushing your child too hard through the swim progressions.
We want to make it easy for you to have these conversations with us, so over the past three weeks, we’ve shared with you the top four concerns we hear from parents, and suggestions on how to approach a conversation with us.
Concern #4: Your child seems bored and is losing interest in their swim lessons – you feel they are not progressing as quickly as they should be.
Action step:
Watch the lesson closely and notice exactly where their attention or enthusiasm wanes. Is it while practicing going under water? Kicking with the board?
It’s important here to try to decipher if…
A.) Your child finds the skill difficult and therefore tires of it quickly.
B.) They think the skill is boring – like bobs or kicking with a board, because they believe practicing this skill serves no purpose or it’s “too easy”.
C.) The instructor is going over skills your child has already mastered and is NOT introducing any new skills, or adding distance or speed or any variations of the skills they know in the lesson.
Still unsure why your child’s interest is lagging? Ask them. See what insight they offer.
In all three cases let your instructor know your concern.
What to say:
- “I’m noticing my daughter is quite distracted when you practice going underwater. I think she is uncomfortable with that skill. Is there a way to turn it into a game so she is more engaged?”
- “Can you explain to my son why he is practicing kicking on his side over and over again? Why is it important?”
- “I know my son is getting a bit bored in class because he is picking up the skills quickly. Is there a way we can make it more challenging for him? Is he in the right swim level?”
I hope these past four blog posts encourage you, as parents, to speak up when you have a concern and have offered some insight on how to broach these tricky conversations.
“Communication will bring understanding and understanding will cause harmonious mutual relationships which can establish peace and stability”. – Lobsang Tenzin
If we work together as a team, we can give your child the best experience possible!
If you have any questions, suggestions, or are trying to find the way to taking your first dip into the wide world of water, then reach out to support@theaqualife.ca,and jump in with us at The Aqua Life Swim Academy!
