Thank you for submitting your request for lessons.
We will make every attempt to accommodate your request for dates and times.
We look forward to working with you and your family.
We will make every attempt to accommodate your request for dates and times.
We look forward to working with you and your family.
1st Day of LessonsPaperwork Needed:You MUST have the following items on the first day of lessons:
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6. Need swim diapers? Visit our ONLINE STORE for toys, flippers, swim diapers, rash guards and more.
What to expect on the first day:
The first day, we have a lot of information to talk through. I will need to make sure I have a clear understanding of your child's medical history and their experience in and around the water. I want to make sure I am providing the safest and most productive lessons.
The first lesson will likely be very short. I will begin to try to establish a rapport with your child. I want to establish that I am here to help them through this process. This is not to say that we will not be working this day. We will likely get going right away. In fact, we will likely go underwater on this first day. I will begin to establish breath control.
Please make sure you do not give your child any food or drink for 1.5-2 hours before the lesson. No one works well on a full stomach and we will be accomplishing a lot in the normal 10 minutes we have together. This is extremely important on that first day even though it is short. Because this is all new, some children may swallow air when learning to hold their breath.
Your child may be upset on the first day. I want to make you aware of this because it is hard for any of us to see our children upset. Please remember these emotions do not mean they are "fearful". Initially in their lives, crying is a child’s only form of communication. Infants and children cry for a variety of reasons. Crying can mean separation anxiety since many students are at an age where they feel very attached to parents. Other children are in the phase where they want more control of their own world and get angry when anyone tries to help them. Crying can also mean anxiety of trying something new. We are all a little nervous when we attempt a new skill. Then, as our skill begins to increase and it can meet the challenges at hand, we begin to enjoy the experience. My goal is to set every child up for success as often as possible throughout lessons so that they can build confidence as quickly as possible. In most cases, the emotion will reduce within the first couple weeks.
As the parent, you are the best cheerleader your child could ask for. You are encouraged to sit at the side of the pool. I will try to give you cues as to good times to praise your child throughout the lesson. If you feel it would be better for your child, then you are welcome to watch from a place where you can see but they cannot easily see you.
After the lesson, I will hand your child out of the pool, laying them on their left side. Please lay a towel down on the deck. I will place your child on top of it. Use another towel to cover and dry your child. Drying their head first will help them warm up more quickly. My pool is heated to 86 degrees but this is still significantly cooler than their normal body temperature. Allow them to lay there for a few minutes before getting up. The difference of being in the water can affect their equilibrium slightly.
With students who are learning the swim-float-swim, I like to get parents in the pool at the end of the first week or once we have established a short swim. For children, who start out upset, this is often a turning point where they realize how much fun it can be. Please plan to discuss this possibility on that first Thursday. This can throw off the schedule a bit so please be patient if we are running behind on that day. We will work together so that we are being consistent with your child in the water. I see us as a team in this process. I will show you how to send them to the step and where to hold your hands for them to swim to you. If you would like to plan to invite your spouse or someone else who will often be swimming with your child, you are welcome to do so. If at all possible, please try to carpool on this day as parking is limited.
Above all else, please remember that I am here to answer any questions you may have. It may be difficult to talk at the pool because of the schedule, but I will be sure to make myself available to you. I want you to be comfortable every step of the way. Your children will sense your emotions and we want them to become confident and enthusiastic. These are also my goals for you as my parents.
Thank you again for choosing SOS. I hope you will be as amazed by our program as I am by my students on a daily basis. I hope to have you as one of my biggest fans. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Julia Daum
Drowning Prevention Specialist / Owner
SOS Swim School
The first lesson will likely be very short. I will begin to try to establish a rapport with your child. I want to establish that I am here to help them through this process. This is not to say that we will not be working this day. We will likely get going right away. In fact, we will likely go underwater on this first day. I will begin to establish breath control.
Please make sure you do not give your child any food or drink for 1.5-2 hours before the lesson. No one works well on a full stomach and we will be accomplishing a lot in the normal 10 minutes we have together. This is extremely important on that first day even though it is short. Because this is all new, some children may swallow air when learning to hold their breath.
Your child may be upset on the first day. I want to make you aware of this because it is hard for any of us to see our children upset. Please remember these emotions do not mean they are "fearful". Initially in their lives, crying is a child’s only form of communication. Infants and children cry for a variety of reasons. Crying can mean separation anxiety since many students are at an age where they feel very attached to parents. Other children are in the phase where they want more control of their own world and get angry when anyone tries to help them. Crying can also mean anxiety of trying something new. We are all a little nervous when we attempt a new skill. Then, as our skill begins to increase and it can meet the challenges at hand, we begin to enjoy the experience. My goal is to set every child up for success as often as possible throughout lessons so that they can build confidence as quickly as possible. In most cases, the emotion will reduce within the first couple weeks.
As the parent, you are the best cheerleader your child could ask for. You are encouraged to sit at the side of the pool. I will try to give you cues as to good times to praise your child throughout the lesson. If you feel it would be better for your child, then you are welcome to watch from a place where you can see but they cannot easily see you.
After the lesson, I will hand your child out of the pool, laying them on their left side. Please lay a towel down on the deck. I will place your child on top of it. Use another towel to cover and dry your child. Drying their head first will help them warm up more quickly. My pool is heated to 86 degrees but this is still significantly cooler than their normal body temperature. Allow them to lay there for a few minutes before getting up. The difference of being in the water can affect their equilibrium slightly.
With students who are learning the swim-float-swim, I like to get parents in the pool at the end of the first week or once we have established a short swim. For children, who start out upset, this is often a turning point where they realize how much fun it can be. Please plan to discuss this possibility on that first Thursday. This can throw off the schedule a bit so please be patient if we are running behind on that day. We will work together so that we are being consistent with your child in the water. I see us as a team in this process. I will show you how to send them to the step and where to hold your hands for them to swim to you. If you would like to plan to invite your spouse or someone else who will often be swimming with your child, you are welcome to do so. If at all possible, please try to carpool on this day as parking is limited.
Above all else, please remember that I am here to answer any questions you may have. It may be difficult to talk at the pool because of the schedule, but I will be sure to make myself available to you. I want you to be comfortable every step of the way. Your children will sense your emotions and we want them to become confident and enthusiastic. These are also my goals for you as my parents.
Thank you again for choosing SOS. I hope you will be as amazed by our program as I am by my students on a daily basis. I hope to have you as one of my biggest fans. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Julia Daum
Drowning Prevention Specialist / Owner
SOS Swim School
