Bringing the Classroom to the Pool

As summer fades, outdoor swimming and activities are replaced with going back to school, adjusting to new schedules, and picking out Halloween costumes… or candy. With the change of season, water safety may no longer be at the forefront of parents’ minds — and understandably so!

While swim lessons are always recommended, they may not always fit into the schedule or budget. However, it’s important to remember that water safety isn’t just a seasonal concern. Swim safety is something to focus on all year long. Keeping up with swim lessons or family swim throughout the year can help kids increase skills, confidence and water safety which continues to prepare them for different aquatic settings, no matter the season. Regular lessons or pool exposure can help reinforce essential water safety skills, ensuring kids are ready for any situation involving water, whether it’s at a pool, lake, or even the bathtub.

Swim lessons or family swim time can incorporate the same strategies used in classrooms. This approach is especially beneficial for neurodivergent children, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who thrive with routine and clear expectations. Using strategies like reinforcement, offering choices and extra processing time, modeling expected behavior, and giving behavior-specific praise can help children remain motivated and successful. When swim lessons integrate these tools, they create a supportive environment where all children, regardless of ability, can build confidence and succeed in the water.

Building community awareness about the importance of inclusive swim lessons is essential. Swim instructors should be trained to use behavior strategies like individualized prompting, visual supports, environmental modifications and different types of positive reinforcement to support all learners. By offering swim lessons that are inclusive and designed to accommodate diverse needs, communities can take an important step toward ensuring every child, regardless of ability, is equipped with vital water safety skills. This holistic approach not only improves individual outcomes but strengthens community safety as a whole.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or interest in consulting and or collaborating around successful community lessons!

We believe inclusion matters. We believe anyone can make progress in and around the water with the right teaching strategies. We believe through education; more families can be included in water-based environments and will be more equipped to prevent drownings.