Welcome to FAST Dolphins Learn to Swim Program for kids ages 3-6

Introduce your child to the joy of swimming with the new FAST Learn to Swim Program, specially designed for kids aged 3 to 6. Our program provides a safe, fun, and supportive environment for young swimmers to master essential water safety and foundational swimming skills, while also preparing them for future success on a swim team.

Who is this program for?

Children aged 3-6, from total beginners to those ready for advanced stroke development.

Program Structure & Details

Lesson Format

• Duration: 30-minute lessons.
• Group Size: We aim for an ideal group size of 6-9 swimmers. This small class size ensures your child receives both individual attention and the opportunity to participate in fun group activities.
• Staffing: Each class is led by an experienced Head Coach and supported by 2 volunteers. We utilize dedicated volunteers (often older 13-14 year-old swimmers) to keep costs low and provide plenty of in-water support, while giving them a chance to train for future coaching roles.

Scheduling

• Lessons will be scheduled with 5-10 minutes of free time in between groups to allow for smooth transitions in and out of the water.
• The earliest class start time is 9:30 AM, to allow for more sunshine, though 9:00 AM may be possible. Classes will begin with either the oldest or highest skill level children.

Skills & Curriculum

Our program closely follows the proven Red Cross curriculum for preschool and beginner swim lessons. We make slight modifications to prepare your swimmer not just to learn to swim, but also to eventually join a swim team. All basic safety skills will be thoroughly taught.

Swimmers will be evaluated on the first day and broken into pods based on skill level:

Level 1: Total Beginner

Skills are done with assistance to build confidence and comfort.

• Water entry/exit using the ladder
• Holding breath and blowing bubbles with eyes in the water
• Bobbing whole head under water
• Floating on tummy and back
• Freestyle and Breaststroke kicks on back
• Rolling from tummy to back

Level 2: Intermediate

Swimmers work toward becoming independent in all Level 1 skills.

• Working toward independence on all Level 1 skills.
• Jumping into the pool and grabbing the wall.
• Breaststroke kicks on tummy with sculling arms.

Level 3: Advanced

Swimmers focus on refining previous skills and adding competitive strokes.

• Practicing all Level 1-2 skills independently.
• Jumping into the pool and swimming or floating.
• Side breathing (for freestyle).
• Learning Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly arms and legs.

How to Prepare Your Swimmer

To help your child feel comfortable before their first lesson, you can practice a few things at home:

• Practice Gear: While in the bathtub, have them practice wearing goggles and a swim cap. This helps them get used to the look and feel of the gear both above and under the water in a familiar environment.
• Water Skills: Encourage them to practice blowing bubbles and putting the back of their head in the water.

What to Bring

Regardless of your child's level, please ensure they bring:

• A swim suit
• A water bottle
• A towel
• Optional: A swim cap (helpful for keeping hair out of eyes, but not mandatory if uncomfortable).