At ISR, we consider interference to be anything that might “undo” already learned skills, create confusion, and/or that might create habits that are not conducive to a proper swimming posture and Self-Rescue. I know that your child’s safety if your primary concern and please know that it is mine as well. I also realize that each of you wants your child to excel and you might be tempted to do some additional practicing outside of lessons. I would ask that you NOT do that until I have had the opportunity to show you how to safely and effectively work with your child. Your child’s progress will be the indicator I use to determine when that training will be. Keep in mind that it can take 4-6+ weeks for a child to become fully skilled but only a matter of days for those skills to be interfered with. Any interference affects your child’s safety and their ability to perform the survival skills, as well as their progression during the session. Therefore, I am asking that you comply with the following guidelines from Day 1 of lessons and into the future.

AVOID (During & After Lessons):

1. GOING TO THE POOL AND/OR PRACTICING SKILLS – There will be a time during the course of lessons that I will get you in the water and show you how to WORK and PLAY with your child appropriately. Until then, please be patient and do not take your child to the pool. Remember that they will be in the water EVERY weekday for 4-6+ weeks and a break for the weekend is beneficial for them.

2. PRACTICING SKILLS IN THE BATHTUB – The bottom of the bathtub provides support to the child that will not be there in a body of water. If a child is given the support in the bathtub, they will expect the same support in the pool. They will then begin showing behaviors that will have to be remediated which can add days or weeks to the course. Let bath time just be bath time.

3. ALL FLOTATION DEVICES – This includes Water Wings, Arm Bands, Puddle Jumpers, Life Jackets/Vests, Noodles, Pool Mats, and Flotation Rings/Tubes. All of these devices encourage a VERTICAL body posture and do the work for the child. A lifesaving body posture is HORIZONTAL and the child must be doing the work. ***The only exception is a PROPER Life Vest when on a boat or other
water craft.*** A proper life vest does not have a “collar” that rests at the back of the neck and is appropriately sized for your child’s height and weight.

4. GOGGLES – Your child will be learning all skills without goggles and will learn to rely on his/her own eyes to look for exits. I will explain how to use goggles once your child is skilled.

 

5. STANDING ON POOL STEPS, SUN DECKS, and/or HOT TUB LEDGES – Your child may SIT to play. Standing encourages and reinforces a VERTICAL body posture and allows the steps and water to do the work for them. A vertical body posture is NOT a life-saving position. If your child is consistently reinforced for being vertical, then they will begin to consistently swim vertically. This takes a great dealof time to correct. Appropriate toys for SITTING and playing are measuring/pouring cups, waterproofdolls, and sinking toys like dive sticks. Dive sticks are good for children who are learning the SWIM-FLOAT-SWIM sequence. They can be placed on the pool steps and you can “launch” your child to the step to retrieve the toy.

 

6. MIMICKING/TRYING PROMPTS & PROCEDURES YOU SEE IN LESSONS – Please do NOT do this. I have been very well and thoroughly trained in an intense 8-week certification program with yearly recertification programs. My focus and attention is always on your child and any prompts and procedures that I choose are cued by the behavior your child is exhibiting and where they are in thesequence of skills. Because you do not completely understand how to read the behaviors, any attempt that you make at this can be very detrimental and take an enormous amount of time to remediate. Once again, please be patient and I will show you how to SAFELY play and work with your child.