What Level Should
My Child Be In?
Kids 6 months - 6 years old who CANNOT roll to float independently yet have 2 routes they can take:
Survival Swimming Lessons - 6 months - 6 years old up who CANNOT roll to float independently yet
These lessons are taught by our certified Infant Aquatics instructors and are highly effective to help young children save themselves in the water. Kids come for 6-8 weeks in a row , 4 days per week. We recommend after the 6-8 week intensive that kids continue weekly lessons or practice with an adult regularly to retain their skill. Click here to learn more about survival swimming.
OR
Traditional lessons:
All of our traditional lessons are highly effective and use a similar methodology as the survival lessons - teaching children to swim, float, swim first and then adding strokes. Because of the specialized training that our Infant Aquatics instructors receive and the frequency of classes, students in the Survival Swimming lessons will likely learn to roll and float more quickly than in traditional lessons. Both will help your child become a more safe and competent swimmer - survival lessons or traditional lessons. There’s not one fit for everyone. If you aren’t sure what type of lesson is the best for your child, feel free to reach out and we’re happy to help you figure that out.
Parent & Me – 6 months - 2.5 or 3 years old
The Parent & Me class is a great spot for kids between 6 months and 2.5 years old to start their swimming journey! Parents have the opportunity to partner with instructors to help their child get comfortable with the water and start learning essential swimming skills like breath-holding, kicking, floating and more.
If your child is between 2.5 - 3 years old, your child can enter either a Parent & Me OR a Level 1 class. Here are some things to consider:
Is your child used to being away from you? (Daycare, Parent’s Day Out, etc.)
Is your child used to a classroom setting and can follow simple instructions?
If the answer is yes to those questions, they could be a good fit for a Level 1 class. If they are very attached to you or don’t follow instructions well yet, they should probably join a Parent & Me class.
Level 1 – usually 2.5 or 3 – 6 years old
This is the first class for kids without their parent in the water. Whether your child is fearful of holding their breath, etc. or just a beginner swimmer, this is the right place for him or her.
Level 1.5 - usually 3 - 6 years old
Kids must be already be able to:
Comfortably put their face under water in the bathtub or pool
Jump off the side to you independently with their face in the water
Lay on their back in water with ears wet
Kids 4 years+ who CAN roll to float independently (or swim, take a breath, swim)
Level 2 – usually 4 – 8 years old
Kids must be already be able to:
Swim across a 15-foot pool independently with face in the water
Kick on their back independently across a 15-foot pool.
Float comfortably on their back
Level 2.5 – usually 5 – 9 years old
Kids must be already be able to:
Retrieve toys off the bottom of the pool
Swim, rollover, swim the length of a pool (35 feet) (AKA - motorboat rollover)
Swim freestyle (shark-fins) with controlled arms with minimal assistance
Level 3 - usually 5 - 10 years old
Kids must be already be able to:
Retrieve toys off the bottom of the pool
Do backstroke and elementary independently
Do freestyle with breathing to the side for 20 feet independently
Level 4 & 5 - usually 6 - 12 years old
Kids must be already be able to:
Swim a “good” freestyle with side breathing a full lap (2 lengths) without stopping
Swim a “good” backstroke with straight arms, rotation along the axis line of the spine, and an underwater pull
Do a lap (2 lengths) of elementary backstroke independently
Swim breaststroke 1 lap independently
A Team - 6 - 12 years old
If your child is a beginner swimmer and does not yet fit the prerequisite for any of the levels that fit their age, then this is the right class for them.
Anyone 2 years, 4 months and up
Private/Semi-Private Lessons & 1-on-1 classes - 2 years, 4 months and up
1-on-1 lessons are 20 minutes in length and are a great option for kids age 2+. This focused learning time goes a long way and skill from any level can be taught. The instructor will assess what skills your child needs.
Private/Semi-Private classes are 28 minutes long. You can add a second child to a private lesson for no extra charge. If 2 kids share a private lesson spot, they must be within 1 level of each other, EX. Level 1 and Level 1.5. Like the 1-on-1 classes, skills from any level can be taught, and the instructor will assess what skills your child needs.
We do not generally offer traditional private lesson for kids below the age of 2 years, 4 month. If you have an under that age, we recommend either Parent & Me classes or Survival Swimming lessons. If your young child is already very comfortable in the water or you would like to join your child in the water during his or her private lessons, get in touch and we may be able to make an exception to the private lesson age minimum.
Would you consider your swimmer “safe” in the water at a friend’s house, in a lake or in an ocean? If not, Swim Kids Waco is the place to grow. Safety will be taught in EVERY class!
Need more help? We’d love to assist you! Contact us at swimkidswaco@gmail.com or call/text 254-300-1728.