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FAQs
Can you really teach a child who is not verbal how to swim?
Yes. Consider that children learn to sit, crawl and walk before they learn to speak. Because we teach
through sensori-motor learning, verbal skills are not required for a child to acquire Self-Rescue skills. We
are able to communicate with our students through touch and positive reinforcement while striving to
set our students up for success every step of the way.
What is the American Academy of Pediatrics position on swimming lessons for young children?
The AAP encourages parents to consider that starting water-survival skills training at an early age must
be individualized, based on the child's frequency of exposure to water, emotional maturity, physical
limitations and health concerns related to swimming pools. You can view their policies and suggestions
through the AAP website here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-
play/Pages/Swim-Lessons.aspx
Why do you have the children swim in clothes?
Because 86% of children who fall in the water do so fully clothed, we want our students to have
experience with such a situation. If a child has experienced the sensations of being in the water in
clothing prior to an emergency situation, he/she is less likely to experience panic and be able to focus on
the task at hand. If you have ever jumped in the water with clothes on, then you know that there is a
significant difference in weight and feel with clothes as opposed to a bathing suit.
Are swimming lessons for infants and young children safe?
I can’t speak for all swim lessons, but I can tell you ISR is dedicated to safety and maintaining numerous
safety protocols to promote safe lessons. Your child's health and well-being are our highest priority and
are closely monitored on a daily basis. In addition, your child's medical and developmental history is a
mandatory part of the ISR national registration process, all of which is held strictly confidential. All ISR
instructors undergo intensive and rigorous training that far exceeds any other training program of this
kind. Each ISR instructor is also required to recertify yearly with emphasis on quality control, safety and
lesson efficiency. Your education in the area of aquatic safety for your entire family is an integral part of
your child's lessons. You will receive access to the "Parent Resource Guide" to inform you about every
aspect of swimming and aquatic safety for infants and children.
With research, you will find that ISR is not only the safest survival swimming program but also the most
effective for teaching infants and young children.