With a focus on basic water movement and safety, Preschool Swim Lessons provide children ages 3 to 5 years the opportunity to build swim skills and confidence in the water at an early age. Instructors certified through YMCA of the USA teach children body position, arm movements, kicking, floating and breathing in a fun atmosphere. Children also learn how to swim with their face under the water, how to jump into the pool and how to retrieve toys from the bottom of the pool. Instructors assess skills on the first day, and group children based on their abilities. Children are encouraged to work at their own pace. In addition to water skills, children also grow through character-building lessons focused on the Y's four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Don't know what level your child belongs in? Contact the Welcome Center of your nearest Y location to talk about swim assessment opportunities to place your child in the appropriate swim level.
Pike Level (Beginner, new to the water): This class is designed for children with little or no swimming experience. Participants work toward proper kicking, floating and independent swimming.
Eel Level (Some pool experience): This class is designed for children who can swim a short distance independently with their face in the water. Participants work tward coordination of the front crawl stroke, breathing techniques and kicking and build confidence in deep water.
Ray Level (Intermediate/Advanced): This class is for children who are able to swim across the width of the pool with confidence and good form. Participants will learn the front crawl stroke with rotary breathing, backstroke, treading water, and deep water swimming.
Starfish Level (Advanced): To enroll in this level, children should be able to swim the front crawl stroke, the sidestroke, and the backstroke one length of the pool, be comfortable jumping in deep water and swimming to the side and be able to do a front and back somersault underwater without assistance. Participants will learn rhythmic breathing and build strength and endurance as a precursor to learning the breast and butterfly strokes.
