Making a Splash Together: The Parent’s Role in Swim Success
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By Lauri (Thomas) Armstrong, Owner of Little Fins Swim School in Colorado Springs
Introduction: Swimming Is a Partnership
Swimming isn’t just our children’s achievement, it’s a team effort.
When parents get involved in their child’s swim journey, progress happens faster, fears fade quicker, and confidence builds stronger.
In Colorado Springs, where outdoor living and water recreation is a way of life, your role as a parent is essential. From reinforcing lessons to modeling comfort in and near the water, your participation helps your child transform from hesitant beginner to confident swimmer.
“Parents aren’t just spectators, they’re catalysts for confidence in the pool.”
1. Why Parent Involvement Matters - What Research Shows
Improved Perception & Safety Awareness
A longitudinal study examining how parents’ perceptions evolve during their child's swim journey found that as children progress in lessons, parents increasingly perceive them as safer and more capable of handling water situations. This suggests that parent involvement should include realistic awareness, and optimism.
📖 Read the study on PubMed
Confidence Through Modeling
Children mirror the emotions they see. Parents who show calm, positive engagement around water help reduce their child’s anxiety and build lasting trust.
📖 Breaking the Cycle: The Impact of Parental Swimming Skills
Formal Lessons Reduce Drowning Risk
Children ages 1–4 who participate in formal swim lessons have an 88% lower drowning risk than those without lessons. While swim lessons alone are not a safeguard, they are a powerful component of water safety, and parent involvement strengthens that component.
📖 Evidence from the National Institutes of Health
Developmental Benefits
Swimming boosts coordination, balance, and motor development, particularly when parents encourage practice and confidence at home.
📖 See the full review on PMC
2. How Parents Can Be Partners in Swim Success
A. Communicate with Instructors
Ask for progress reports: Request regular updates on strengths, areas for improvement, and at-home drills.
Clarify technique cues: Ask your child’s instructor to demonstrate or explain cues (e.g. “bubble-blow,” “streamline”) so you can reinforce them outside the pool.
Share observations: If your child shows anxiety, resistance, or breakthroughs at home, let the instructor know, these insights can help modify lesson pacing.
B. Reinforce Skills at Home and During Family Swim Time
Turn bath time or family swims into practice opportunities.
Play games like “bubble contests” or “kick races.”
Keep it lighthearted, the goal is comfort, not perfection.
C. Promote Emotional Support & Confidence
Celebrate effort over achievement: “You were brave putting your face in today!”
Embrace gradual growth: Remind your child that progress takes time; setbacks are normal.
Be patient with setbacks and cheer small wins.
D. Model Safe & Positive Behavior
Your body language and tone set the tone. Show confidence near water, avoid hovering anxiety, and continue reinforcing supervision and safety boundaries.
E. Avoid Overinvolvement
Even good intentions can overwhelm a child. Avoid micromanaging during lessons or comparing progress to others.
📖 6 Swim Parent Stereotypes That Can Hinder Success
3. Stages of Parental Engagement by Age
Infants & Toddlers (Aqua Babies Stage)
Parents can be active participants in the water, providing comfort and modeling relaxation.
🎓 Learn about Aqua Babies classes at Little Fins
If you do not want to get in the water, that’s ok. Many programs start as young as 6 months old. Look for Infant Survival Swimming lessons.
Early exposure builds trust and physical coordination — even before “real” swimming begins.
📖 Study: Aquatic Activity and Early Development
Preschool & Early Elementary
Encourage regular attendance and light practice. Help your child feel confident entering lessons independently while staying nearby for emotional reassurance.
Advanced & Independent Swimmers
Shift from hands-on helper to motivator. Support goal setting (e.g., “Let’s reach 1 lap this month or participation in the next swim meet!”) and praise perseverance.
4. Five Proven Benefits of Parent Involvement
Faster Skill Acquisition: Children learn faster when skills are reinforced at home.
Reduced Anxiety: Familiar faces create emotional safety in the pool.
Better Skill Retention: Consistency between home and lessons prevents regression.
Increased Safety Awareness: Parents stay informed about realistic supervision needs.
Stronger Family Connection: Shared swim experiences deepen trust and joy.
About Lauri (Thomas) Armstrong
Lauri (Thomas) Armstrong is the owner of Little Fins Swim School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has over a 15 years of experience in aquatic education, drowning prevention, and early childhood swim instruction. Under her leadership, Little Fins has become an award-winning program dedicated to safety, skill, and confidence in the water.
With a mission of “Safety first. Skills for life. Awareness for the world,” Lauri has led her team to teach more than 30,000 one-on-one swim lessons annually, empowering families across Colorado through education, community partnerships, and scholarship programs.
Recognized for her leadership in drowning prevention and early childhood swim education, Lauri continues to advocate for programs that make swimming accessible, safe, and joyful for every child.