Parents often wonder whether their child is making adequate progress in swimming lessons, yet many hesitate to initiate conversations with instructors. Effective communication between parents and instructors supports the child’s development by aligning expectations, identifying areas for focused practice, and ensuring safety considerations are addressed. Unlike academic subjects where progress is measured through grades and standardised tests, swimming progress is observed through skill demonstration, which requires specific questions and observation to interpret accurately. A structured approach to parent-instructor communication ensures that both parties share a common understanding of the child’s capabilities and next steps.
SwimRight Academy utilises a proprietary curriculum known as the SwimRight® Method, which emphasises safe and structured learning techniques . The method is built on a swim-float-swim foundation, where children learn to roll onto their backs to breathe, building confidence while prioritising safety . This progression is divided into distinct levels, each with specific skills and drills that guide children from early water safety through advanced stroke techniques . Understanding this structure helps parents interpret instructor feedback within the context of the overall progression.
Founded in 2005 by four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Lenny Krayzelburg, the academy has taught tens of thousands of children using this methodical approach . Instructors remain in the water with students, providing hands-on support and real-time feedback . This in-water presence means instructors observe the child’s movements, breath control, and comfort level from the optimal vantage point. When parents understand this instructional model, they can ask more specific questions about their child’s performance within each level.
Before approaching an instructor, parents should observe their child during lessons. A calm structured pool lesson environment provides opportunities to note specific behaviours. Look for whether the child enters the water willingly, follows instructor directions, attempts new skills, and demonstrates comfort with submerging the face. Parents should also review any progress reports or level completion certificates the programme provides, as these documents indicate which skills the child has mastered and which remain to be developed.
Specific questions yield more useful information than general inquiries. Instead of asking whether the child is “doing well,” parents can ask about specific skills relevant to their child’s current level. For example: “How is my child’s swim-float-swim technique developing?” or “Is my child ready to practice breathing exercises at home?” or “What specific aspect of freestyle should we focus on during our pool time?” These targeted questions give instructors a clear direction for their response and provide actionable information for parents.
Instructors can provide valuable observations about the child’s technical skills, including body position, kick mechanics, arm stroke, and breath control. An instructor guiding a swimmer in shallow water can see whether the child maintains a horizontal body position or drops their hips, whether the kick originates from the hips or knees, and whether the child exhales fully underwater before turning to breathe. These technical details are difficult for parents to observe from poolside, making instructor feedback essential.
Parents should also inquire about the child’s safety skills, particularly if the family spends time near water. In Miami, where drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children aged 1-14, water safety skills are paramount . Zero Drownings Miami-Dade, a public-private initiative, has provided free water safety education to over 5,000 children, reflecting the community’s emphasis on swim competency . Parents should ask whether their child can perform a survival float, reach the wall from distance, and maintain composure in water above their depth.
Beyond technical skills, instructors assess behavioural indicators that affect progress. Attention span, willingness to attempt challenging skills, and response to correction all influence how quickly a child advances. A child who listens attentively, follows instructions, and persists through difficulty progresses faster than a child who is distracted or easily frustrated. Instructors can also gauge whether the child is ready for the transition to deeper water or more complex stroke work based on their demonstrated competence and confidence.
SwimRight Academy’s method accommodates children as young as three months old, with levels appropriate for each developmental stage . Parents should discuss their child’s readiness for the next level. Questions such as “What specific skills need improvement before advancing?” or “How long do children typically spend at this level?” help parents understand realistic timelines and expectations.
For families who plan to swim in open water, discussing the child’s readiness is essential. In the Greater Miami area, lifeguard-protected beaches such as those along Miami Beach from South Pointe Park to 86th Street provide supervised swimming conditions . These 36 lifeguard towers are staffed with Miami Beach Ocean Rescue personnel who understand marine safety protocols and monitor swimming conditions . Parents should ask instructors about their child’s readiness for open water exposure, including swimming in currents and maintaining orientation without lane lines.
Miami beach swimming conditions vary significantly. Beach flags indicate current conditions: red flags signal unusually dangerous swimming conditions, yellow flags indicate moderate surf or currents requiring caution, and green flags indicate calm conditions . The transition from pool to open water training involves practising skills in protected areas first, ideally with instructors who understand the environmental risks in Florida waters. Parents should ask instructors whether their programme offers open water experiences and what prerequisites children must meet before participating.
After the conversation, parents should establish a plan for home practice. Instructors can recommend specific exercises that reinforce the skills taught in lessons. Breath control practice in the bathtub, kicking exercises while holding the pool edge, or floating practice in shallow water all support lesson progress without requiring formal instruction. Regular, brief practice sessions are more effective than occasional extended sessions, and parents should focus on quality of movement rather than quantity of repetitions.
Parents should maintain regular communication with instructors, checking in after significant developmental milestones or when concerns arise. Most instructors appreciate engaged parents who support their child’s learning outside of lessons. SwimRight Academy’s approach includes keeping parents informed as children advance through the SwimRight® Method levels, ensuring that progress is visible and expectations are clear . Consistent communication between parents and instructors supports the child’s development and reinforces the safety skills that prevent drowning.
Guest article
The above may not coincide with the methodology and opinion of the SwimRight Academy Team.
Blog Editor 