Swimming Lessons vs. Just Splashing About
How to tell if your child is actually progressing or just having expensive play time
Your child comes out of swimming lessons happy and excited, chattering about the games they played and how much fun they had. They've been going for months now, and you're paying €20+ per week. But if you're honest, you can't really see much difference in their actual swimming ability.
This scenario plays out in pools across Ireland every week. The child is having fun, the instructor seems lovely, but actual swimming progress? That's harder to pin down. Here's how to tell the difference between genuine learning and expensive playtime.
What Real Swimming Learning Actually Looks Like
Signs Your Child Is Actually Learning:
Technical Progress You Can See:
- • Swimming further distances without stopping
- • Better body position in the water
- • More coordinated arm and leg movements
- • Improved breathing technique
- • Can demonstrate specific stroke elements
- • Comfortable putting face in water for longer
Confidence Indicators:
- • Willingly tries deeper water
- • Attempts new skills without excessive fear
- • Can float and recover independently
- • Shows water safety awareness
- • Enjoys swimming at family pool visits
- • Talks about specific techniques learned
The Monthly Progress Test:
Every 4-5 weeks, ask your child to show you what they've learned. A child who's genuinely progressing should be able to demonstrate something new or improved. If they can't show you anything different from a month ago, there's a problem.
Good question to ask: "Can you show me that new thing you learned in swimming this week?"
Warning Signs: When It's Just Expensive Playtime
Red Flags in Lesson Content:
- • Every lesson involves the same games
- • Lots of toys and props, not much actual swimming
- • Children spend more time standing than swimming
- • No clear progression from week to week
- • Games aren't related to swimming skills
- • Instructor focuses on entertainment over instruction
- • No correction of technique errors
- • Children all doing same thing regardless of ability
- • No challenges presented to improve skills
- • Lots of laughing, no actual effort or concentration
Instructor Warning Signs:
The Entertainment Instructor
Focuses on keeping children happy rather than teaching them skills. Lots of games, minimal actual instruction.
The Hands-Off Instructor
Stays on pool side, gives general encouragement, but doesn't get in water to help or demonstrate.
The One-Size-Fits-All Instructor
Makes all children do identical activities regardless of their different skill levels and needs.
The Vague Feedback Instructor
Only gives general praise ("well done!") but never specific technical feedback or corrections.
Good Lesson vs. Bad Lesson: Side by Side
A Good Swimming Lesson:
Warm-up (3-5 minutes):
Walking/jogging in water, simple movements that prepare for lesson.
Skill focus (15-20 minutes):
Specific technique work - arm movements, breathing, floating. Individual corrections given.
Practice (5-10 minutes):
Swimming lengths or distances applying the skill. Progressive challenges.
Fun element (3-5 minutes):
Game that reinforces the lesson skill, not just random play.
A Bad Swimming Lesson:
Entry chaos (5+ minutes):
Children splash around while instructor tries to get control.
Random game time (15+ minutes):
"Red light, green light" or similar games with no swimming skill development.
Unstructured swimming (10+ minutes):
"Go swim to the other end" with no instruction or purpose.
More games (remaining time):
Whatever keeps the children happy until lesson ends.
Age-Appropriate Learning Expectations
Ages 3-5: Foundation Building
What Good Learning Looks Like:
- • Willing to put face in water
- • Can blow bubbles on command
- • Attempts floating with support
- • Shows water confidence
- • Follows simple instructions
Warning Signs:
- • Still won't put face in after 8+ lessons
- • No progress in water confidence
- • Only wants to play, avoids instruction
- • Clings to pool side constantly
Ages 6-8: Skill Development
What Good Learning Looks Like:
- • Can float independently
- • Swimming 5-10m distances
- • Basic arm and leg coordination
- • Can put head under confidently
- • Shows technique improvement
Warning Signs:
- • Still needs constant support after months
- • Can't swim more than 2-3m independently
- • No improvement in stroke technique
- • Relies on armbands or floats always
Ages 9+: Technique Refinement
What Good Learning Looks Like:
- • Swimming 25m+ distances
- • Recognisable stroke techniques
- • Can perform different strokes
- • Understanding of breathing patterns
- • Shows endurance improvement
Warning Signs:
- • Still doing "doggy paddle" after months
- • Can't swim length of pool
- • No clear stroke development
- • Same ability as 6 months ago
Questions to Ask Your Swimming Instructor
Monthly Check-In Questions:
"What specific skills has my child improved this month?"
Good instructors can give specific, measurable answers.
"What are we working on next?"
Should be clear progression, not vague "more of the same."
"What can my child do now that they couldn't do 3 months ago?"
If there's no clear answer, there's a problem.
"How long before my child can swim a length independently?"
Good instructors should have realistic timelines.
When It's Time to Make Changes
Time to Consider Switching If:
No measurable progress after 2-3 months
Your child should be demonstrably better than when they started.
Instructor can't explain what they're teaching
Good instructors should articulate their methods and goals.
Child is bored or frustrated
Learning should be challenging but enjoyable, not tedious.
Lessons feel more like childcare than instruction
You're paying for swimming lessons, not expensive babysitting.
The Bottom Line
Swimming lessons should result in measurable progress in your child's swimming ability. If they're having fun but not getting better at swimming, you're paying for entertainment, not education.
Good swimming instruction balances fun with genuine skill development. Your child should come out of lessons both happy AND more capable in the water than when they started.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, observe lessons, and expect real progress. You're investing in your child's safety and confidence - make sure you're getting what you're paying for.
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Why Your Child Hates Swimming Lessons
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