blondeviolin Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 My older kids take swim two nights a week. My son, Emmett, just turned four last month and has moved into the level four class (American Red Cross). He is the youngest in the class by nearly 3 years. Physically, he is capable of being in the class and it does challenge him. Developmentally, though, it is very apparent that he is so young. He has a hard time paying attention or sitting still. This is the first time a teacher has tried to steadily build his endurance and he gets about halfway across the pool, realizes its hard and gives up (did I mention he's used to it being easy?). His teacher commented today that physically, he is ready for this class, but he is hesitant because it might be too demanding in other areas (psychologically/developmentally). I have no problem moving him back to a level 3 class, but it won't be a challenge for him and he is prone to getting in trouble when he is bored...let alone that that class does not work on endurance, which is what he needs. We have until January to figure it out, and we'll be working his endurance a bit in the next month or so. Mostly I'm just perplexed by what I can do to help him. His teacher (and his parents!) hold out hope that just 5-6 weeks will make a bit of a difference and that he can continue to move forward. I will also say that this child has tested gifted and is inordinately strong-willed...so those are some traits we have to work with because there is no working against them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Is he happy in the class? Does he want to go? Does he enjoy it, overall? With a kid like that, if he isn't liking it, you're going to know, KWIM? If he's happy, and if the instructor is OK with him being there and not being able to do every little thing, then I'd leave him there, even if he's not up to the level (in whatever way) of the other kids. If, OTOH, he hates it, then perhaps some one-on-one would be a better approach, if the lower level isn't quite right? Or there may be the possibility of one day of the higher and one day of the lower (if he's doing two days)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 As long as he isn't disruptive I would probably keep him at that level and just be prepared not to move up for a bit. He could easily work on endurance over two or three sessions of lessons and then move up again once his maturity has caught up a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 As long as he isn't disruptive I would probably keep him at that level and just be prepared not to move up for a bit. He could easily work on endurance over two or three sessions of lessons and then move up again once his maturity has caught up a bit. :iagree: If he is a problem, then pull him. It isn't fair to the other kids to have their time wasted by a kid who is disruptive. On the other hand, if he is doing okay with it, then I wouldn't move him just yet. He sounds like a kid who would benefit from private lessons more than group. I think private lessons are much, much better and cheaper in the long run when you divide the instructors time between the amount of kids. One big mistake I see happen is that just because a kid finishes a level in swimming, doesn't mean that they are ready to move up a level. I expected my kids to master all skills taught in each class. There were times that they repeated levels. I did not like it when instructors moved up kids who were what I would call 'minimally adequate', even fudging the record a bit if they felt like it. It doesn't result in strong swimmers IMHO. (mom who spent many, many years on the side lines of swimming classes and swim teams) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 Thanks ladies! I'm not sure if he's being disruptive, but he's not really with the rest of the class at times. Last night, for example, they had kickboards and were swimming the length of the pool. About halfway along, he held the kickboard with one arm and just sort of dawdled along without working his kick like the other kids (who were now at the other end of the pool). His teacher gave the next set of instructions and then went and talked with Emmet while the other kids headed back to the other side of the pool. I definitely don't want him to detract from the class--that's not fair to the kids who ARE paying attention. In some part, part of the problem is this is a child who currently does not take instruction well, believes he can already swim well (and he can for four! but he could also improve), and needs constant challenge (even his teacher commented he gives Emmett ten things to work on while the group gets only two or three things to work on). These are issues we are working with in daily life as well. We'll be visiting my parents for most of December and we'll work on his endurance and also see if we can't get him a private lesson or two to maybe move him past this point. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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