Adults are no longer being taught children's lessons by instructors in the know
SARASOTA, Fla., March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Swimming lessons for adults began evolving in the early 1980's when instructors realized that lessons they were trained to teach to children did not work for adults, especially adults who were afraid in water.
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Children are taught early on to blow bubbles, kick, and to float on front and back. But these skills are too advanced for adults who have not learned to swim due to their fear—forty-six percent of American adults according to a 1998 Gallup Poll. Fear prevents afraid adults from learning the skills traditionally taught to children. Until adults are no longer afraid in deep water, most do not call themselves swimmers. None can "swim." Even if they can do strokes, they feel they are not swimmers because they are still afraid and therefore subject to panic. Contrary to popular opinion, strokes are not necessary for safety, but for efficient propulsion.
The very definition of "I can swim" is changing from, "I can do the freestyle" to, "I can rely on myself in deep water for my safety."
In a small but growing sector of swimming schools—those that have taught afraid adults exclusively for decades—the face of lessons has changed from teaching strokes to teaching relevant safety skills.
Today, these skills are being taught by a non-profit organization in Florida and its affiliates worldwide. The universal skills are comfort, control, presence of mind, panic-prevention, and "knowing how the water works." These terms and lessons have given afraid adults a new understanding of how to be successful while learning to swim, as well as a reason that they may have failed in the past: they were not taught the true basics. Students can now systematically learn to swim at their own pace without panicking or ever being uncomfortable. Five thousand adults have learned to swim safely in deep water, overcome part of their fear, or improved their water safety, since 1983.
The new lessons require conversation, new information and a new understanding of learning. They require a new way of thinking about how learning works when fear is present.
To learn more, contact Miracle Swimming or non-profit swim school, 21st Century Swimming Lessons, Inc. at the points below.
Contact:
M. Ellen Dash, CEO
21st Century Swimming Lessons, Inc.
Miracle Swimming
www.conquerfear.com
Email
941-921-6420