How To Teach Swim Lessons During Coronavirus

The coronavirus has changed a lot of what we do in our day-to-day lives, but that doesn’t mean that we can give up fun activities for our kids. There are a few things to consider when determining how to teach swim lessons right now, but we’ve got you covered.

Swimming is Safe and a Valuable Life Skill

Pool water that is properly maintained does not spread the coronavirus, according to the CDC, so swim lessons are still a great idea for exercise, safety, and fun. You and your child can physically distance in a pool from others, as long as the facility has protocols to limit the number of people in the pool.

One important tip: You should never wear a mask in the water since masks are a drowning hazard in pools, especially for young children. However, if you wear a mask when you are out of the water, you and your child are helping to keep yourself and others safe.

Swimming is not just a fun activity for your child, it can also be a life-saving skill. Teaching a child how to swim is one layer of drowning prevention, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Drowning is the leading cause of death in U.S. children ages 1 to 4, and the third leading cause of death among U.S. children and adolescents ages 5 to 19.

Teaching your child how to swim is the first line of defense against accidental drowning. Finding someone who teaches while adhering to the CDC guidelines of physical distancing and wearing masks out of the water is essential in this time of the coronavirus.

Choosing the Safest Pool or Facility

With health and safety guidelines in hand, you want to choose a pool that is not overcrowded. If a pool has a limited number of people in it, there should be enough space to spread out more than the recommended 6 feet apart.

If you choose an indoor pool, make sure the pool has good air circulation during the swim lessons. All Emler facilities have leading-edge air filtration systems that pull in fresh air eight times an hour. And you can always choose the pool in the safety of your own backyard if you have one.

What is Your Comfort Level?

Next, you need to determine your own comfort level when figuring out how to teach swim lessons now. Luckily, Emler offers four different in-person options, along with an at-home option. You can choose from:

1.     The traditional Emler class with 3-4 students who are all spaced out
2.     Private lessons, which are one on one, with an instructor in the pool
3.     Parent and child classes with an instructor on the pool desk
4.     Parent and child private lessons (one on one) with the instructor on the deck

Whichever in-person option you choose, all our staff wear masks when not in the pool, and the instructors wear face shields when in the water.

Emler’s New At-Home Option

If you are not comfortable with any of the in-person options, Emler now has a robust at-home option. EmlerSWIM@Home™ is our DIY swim school that is now available. Get a free trial of the world’s most interactive streaming swim lessons for kids, with high-quality instructional videos, live weekly video calls, and private personal coaching.

Because celebrating achievements is part of the fun of swimming lessons, all kids receive a ribbon, stickers, and a downloadable Certificate of Achievement for completing each level. Plus, you have the assurance of complete safety and the expertise of Emler’s Expert Teachers teaching swim lessons to your child. Additionally, parents are invited to join a private Facebook group for you to interact with other adults and experience the benefits of an online community that usually happens poolside.

Whether you choose one of Emler’s in-person options or decide on the at-home option, you can teach swim lessons during the coronavirus while being mindful of your overall health. There are many options when exploring swim lessons during this trying time, and we are confident that there’s one option to fit your needs.