At each level, Brinton Swim School emphasizes three main goals:
1. SAFETY: All students will be taught to respect pool rules, use caution when near water, and alert adults when a swimmer is in danger.2. TECHNIQUE: Graceful, efficient strokes will be taught with an emphasis on quality! All strokes are taught as described in the American Red Cross Swimming and Diving guide.
3. CONFIDENCE: Brinton Swim School provides swimmers with the foundation to be confident in social swimming situations, and proper technique allows swimmers to continue as competitive swimmers in other programs.
Preschool Level: Swim Readiness
Any child under 5 years old should register for the preschool level. We only register 4 children per class at this level. With an instructor and an assistant in the water, we are able to differentiate for each child's abilities. Our first goals will be pool safety, buoyancy, and breath control. Then we will work toward forward movement and the Level 1 skills with lots of fun built in!
Level 1: Water Skills
This level is perfect for a child who has not yet learned to move in the water independently. Children will learn to become comfortable fully submerging, bobbing, and safely moving in the pool. We will teach proper kicking and arm movements with support, progressing to independent floating and gliding, with added leg and arm movements for those who are ready. We teach these early swimmers with cheerfulness and praise.
Level 2: Swim Skills
Level 2 is for swimmers who have mastered level one skills. We will teach primary skills that lead to independent front and back crawl (with a goal of 5+ yards with perfect strokes). Swimmers will practice long, strong flutter kicks and graceful body position, including front and back body movement. As soon as these skills are mastered we will move toward Level 3 skills.
Level 3: Stroke Skills
This level is for swimmers who can swim independently but need support developing proper technique and endurance. Swimmers will strengthen their glides and kicks, coordinate movements for the front and back crawl and elementary backstroke (with a goal of 10+ yards with perfect strokes), tread water, and perform open turns. We will also be teaching a sitting to kneeling dive in deep water. If swimmers have mastered these skills, we will move toward more advanced Level 4 skills.
Level 4: Stroke Development
For swimmers who have mastered level three skills, level four focuses on endurance training and developing the skills for all four racing strokes. Swimmers increase their proficiency in front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, sculling, treading, and diving. If students are ready, level four may also include instruction in breaststroke kicks, sidestroke, butterfly dolphin kicks, additional turns, and endurance swimming (25+ yards).
Kids love swimming lessons when they are in the appropriate level!
