Teaching children to swim

Question
Hi Kate,

I am looking at teaching children how to swim. The age range of the children are between 1yr to 6yrs. I will be taking the children for individual lessons, as i feel that every child is on their own level. What i would like to know is the following: 1-what methods do you feel works the best when teaching young children to swim? 2-do you think that a 1yr old child might be a bit to young? 3-what would be the first things that you would start with when starting with new children?

I would really appreciate your help and advice.

Answer
I am sorry for my slow response. I will attempt to answer your questions.

1- For liability purposes you really should be a certified instructor. I prefer using the American Red Cross preschool & Baby swim lessons program.

2- I had my daughter in swim lessons last summer at 9 months and she LOVED IT! Be sure not to submerge a child under 1 more then a couple of times during a lesson.

3- I would start by seeing how much the children can do already with swimming and be sure to not let go of them until you are comfortable with their level.

Good luck! Feel free to ask any more questions once you begin teaching.

Kate