What it is
The primary goal of a parent tot class is to increase the comfort and familiarity of the swimming pool and water for an infant. We start lessons early to establish healthy, fun memories of swimming; the more comfortable a parent is in the water with their child, the more comfortable the child will be swimming for the long term.
Essentials
- "1, 2, 3!" — the consistent cue given before every scoop or submersion
- Football hold and palms-up hold on belly — parent skills for supported front glides
- Head on shoulder, head in hand, fingertips under neck — parent skills for supported back glides
- Smile and embrace after the scoop
- Repetition, songs, and games are the core tools; predictability equals comfort
- Go slow. Build confidence. Earn trust. Look for happy babies.
Progression
- Supported front glides (football hold, palms up, scooping with kisses)
- Supported back glides (head on shoulder, head in hand, fingertips under neck)
- Scooping and going under (with "1, 2, 3!" cue, smile and embrace)
What goes wrong
- Instructor stays out of the water or stands in one spot → get in the water, move around, be visible and active
- Instructor doesn't sing or dance → model energy and joy; if the instructor doesn't sing, parents won't either
- Parents drift into independent play instead of group activities → speak clearly and directly; they crave direction; guide with specific demonstrations and encouragement
- Infants and toddlers seem unengaged with songs or games → adapt holds and expectations to each child's comfort; repetition builds comfort over time
- Child is forced underwater before ready → enforce the child asking to enter the water; only allow underwater to comfort
How you know it worked
The child shows relaxed comfort with face in water (breath held, arms straight), joyful smiles while held and moving through water, comfortable laying on back with ears in water, and a relaxed body floating with legs straight. Over time the child shows expectation of the scoop and goes under with comfort—closed eyes, breath held, relaxed recovery.
How you teach it
Back glides can be terrifying for a small child: upside down, backwards, unable to see, total trust in a stranger who can't stand. Comfort and confidence grow slowly, so the instructor's job is to make the environment safe, fun, and welcoming while the parent does the physical work. The instructor must be confident, outgoing, and prepared to lead both adults and babies—dancing and singing are part of the job, not extras. Model the energy you want to see; if you are quiet and stationary, the parents will be too.
Speak to parents about their goals. Many enroll to bond with their child and to learn how to help them become comfortable and safe in the water. Give clear directions on time and repetitions, demonstrate holds (football hold, palms up, head on shoulder), and offer to demonstrate. You are the expert; they have not spent the time and effort learning what you have. Be bold, sing with volume, embrace and laugh. Your smile and behavior will help your confidence grow, and your confidence will help theirs.
Every activity can be tailored to different ability levels. Enforce the child asking to enter the water and only allow underwater to comfort. Initial reluctance to jump or go under comes from fear of being dropped, going under, and falling—scoop from the wall into hugs, support the hands, and keep the face from going under if not desired. Over time, excitement and pure fun develop into reckless jumps of joy. Building a habit of looking down and "kissing" the water in a supported front glide makes later streamline easier, so weave that cue into every front-glide repetition.