Healthy Living in Kids!

Each year “Every Kid Healthy Week” runs from April 22nd to 26th to encourage school health and wellness achievements. In recognition of this week we have put together our best tips for encouraging healthy living with your kids.

#1: Start your children in swimming lessons as early as possible, at Swim Clo we teach students as young as four months old. It will help them develop physically and cognitively and also teach them life saving skills. When children regularly attend swimming lessons an active lifestyle becomes their normal routine. Once your child is comfortable in the water it can open the door to many other activities and sports for them, like competitive swimming, surfing, water polo and more.

#2: Water! The best thing you can do for your child is to get them drinking water as their primary source of hydration. It can be hard if they prefer to drink juice or milk, but keep a full cup of water on hand and offer it to them throughout the day. If they don’t like plain water, try adding fresh mint or squeeze an orange or lemon into it, use a colorful twisty straw, or add ice cubes in fun shapes. 

#3: Being active together as a family which will help your little ones to enjoy and make fitness a priority. Whether that is going on a family bike ride, having an impromptu dance party in the kitchen or playing catch in the backyard, incorporating exercise into your daily family life will help raise healthy children. 

#4: We understand kids are known to be picky eaters and it can be frustrating for parents to get them to eat the nutrition-dense foods you’d like them to. A good start is to try to eliminate or reduce processed foods and always offer a healthy snack to help them fuel up before an activity. It might take a lot of attempts and creativity, but you can definitely improve the quality and nutrition of your kids’ foods if you keep at it. 

Making some, or all, of these tips a routine in your family's life will make sure everyone stays happy and healthy. We hope swimming will be part of your active lifestyle. Our program runs year round at our pools in Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. 

Register here: https://www.swimclo.com/register-summer

Benefits of Making Swim Lessons Part of your Back to School Routine

It’s that time of year again, spring break is over and your kids are getting ready to head back to school. When planning your new back to school schedule you may be thinking of what activities to include. Here are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to introduce swimming lessons in their back to school routine.

A break from school can disrupt your family’s routine and sense of normalcy. Whether you were able to take some trips or had family in town to visit, there’s no doubt that the time off school revolved around a different routine. Swimming lessons are a great activity to incorporate to help your kids transition back into the swing of school.The school day makes up the main part of their routine and then other activities are scheduled around that. They may have hockey scheduled on Mondays, piano on Thursdays and swim class on Tuesdays. Creating a good schedule of events for your little ones and establishing your new routine right away will help them ease back into their busy back to school schedules.

The routine of learning to swim and attending lessons weekly has likely become a familiar and comfortable place for your child. Having the familiarity of swim class to look forward to can especially help if your little one is about to start a new school or begin a new grade. The customized lesson plans we have in our classes gives kids an understanding of what to expect each week and with our small class sizes they look forward to meeting the new friends they’ve made in class.

While kids are at school they spend most of their time sitting in the classroom, yes they have recess but most kids are still anxious to move around once the school day is over. Scheduling swim lessons right after school is a good way to get their bodies moving after a long day of learning. Many of our families have found this schedule to work well with their school-age children. 

Our program runs year round at our pools in Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. 

Register here: https://www.swimclo.com/register

Why Repetition in Swim Lessons Helps You Learn!

Repetition is a core part of learning how to swim, especially in younger children. It establishes a routine, therefore helping to develop muscle memory, improving mental development, and ultimately results in a stronger, more confident swimmer. In this blog we will look at the different ways that repetition benefits swimmers.

Repetition of a new skill in a comfortable learning environment helps your child increase their knowledge while also improving their feeling of self-worth. The more your child practices, the more confident and accomplished they’ll feel when swimming.

The more your child practices a skill the easier it will become to remember, thanks to muscle memory. Repetition helps young minds master new skills and develop their muscle memory. The more a child repeats a skill, the easier it becomes for them to perform it whenever necessary, outside of the swimming lesson environment.

The practice of repetition helps strengthen the connections in the brain used for learning, which results in improvement in your child's mental development and cognitive function. It is especially crucial to practice when your child is still young as their brain is still developing. 

We know repetition is not just important to kids for learning purposes. Especially during their younger years a child will read a book or watch their favourite movie again and again without getting fed up. Repeating an activity or routine gives them some form of control and helps build their sense of security. With swimming lessons repetition will develop their security in the water to acknowledge it as a comfortable and safe environment. 

This is why repetition is a key part of our swimming program. Our program runs year round at our pools in Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. 

Register here: https://www.swimclo.com/register

Benefits of Swimming Lessons for Kids

When you enrol your child in swim lessons, you’re probably focused on water safety, as well as providing them with regular exercise and teaching them new skills. But have you considered all the extra ways swimming lessons can benefit your child? Feeling comfortable in the water and being able to swim can help your kiddo by boosting their confidence at a pool party or at the beach, but the additional benefits can far outlast the days of swim lessons. Here are just a few:

Recreation

Kids are known for their playfulness and enthusiasm and, as parents, we can only hope to encourage this zest for life as they grow. When they’re little, simply splashing around in a bathtub or pool can bring loads of fun. As they get older, knowing how to swim can enable them to feel comfortable taking part in activities like snorkeling, fishing, and jet skiing. Their confidence in their swim skills will help them enjoy fun activities without worrying about how to swim.

Sporting Opportunities

Some kids love swimming as a standalone sport, but others want to branch out into different water-centred activities. If your child has strong swim skills, they can participate in a variety of other sports easily and naturally, such as water polo, paddle boarding, or surfing. If your child is especially ambitious, they might be interested in competitive swimming. Building a strong swimming foundation throughout childhood will serve them very well as they engage in water-based sports in their future.

Aquatic Careers

Beyond fun and sports, there are plenty of real-life opportunities for little swimmers as they grow up. Many professions involve working with water, such as underwater videography, scuba instruction, or marine biology. Kids love to dream big, and exposure to the water at a young age can lay the foundation for a lifelong passion.

Set your kids up for future success with our swim lessons at our pools in Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford!

Register here: https://www.swimclo.com/register

Why Swimming is a Good Form of Physical Activity for Kids

On average, school-aged children need 60 minutes of physical activity per day. While your child’s daily routine undoubtedly provides some exercise, you may have struggled in the past to find an activity for your child that keeps them happy, healthy, and having fun. The answer is simple: swimming lessons with Swim Clo in one of our Lower Mainland locations! 

Swimming lessons are not only a fun way to get your child moving, but the benefits they provide are unparalleled. Not only does swimming improve respiratory and cardiovascular health, strength and stamina, it can even teach your child better balance. Knowing that your child is a confident swimmer will lend you peace of mind on the next family trip to the beach or pool. It also opens up a world of other activities for your child, such as kayaking, surfing, or boating. 

If you have considered enrolling your child in swimming lessons before but were worried about the time commitment, Swim Clo offers flexible booking with time slots available on a long-term basis - no more scheduling nightmares! On top of that, we use our specialized program to teach kids to swim in ¼ of the time, producing stronger swimmers faster than traditional lesson formats. 

Our programs provide children with fun challenges and the tools to succeed, building their self-esteem and confidence while they learn. We offer swimming lessons in a variety of locations, including Abbotsford, Surrey, Langley, Cloverdale, and White Rock. They also are free from distractions so that your child can get the most out of every lesson. 

Our coaches are highly trained and create personalized lesson plans to improve the swimming skills of each individual student, as we understand that not every child will begin lessons with the same strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, Swim Clo has ensured that our pool areas will follow COVID protocols in all locations. 

If you’re looking for a way to get your child more active while teaching them valuable safety skills, register today!

Source: click here

How Our Swimming Lessons Help You Learn:

Everyone knows how much fun playing can be! At any age, time spent playing is also a time for learning! Did you know that playful physical movement is essential to learning, especially at a young age? In the past few decades scientists have been proving there is an amazing link between movement and learning. It starts all the way back in infancy; as babies begin to learn and grow, their inner ear systems and motor function systems are the first to mature. We can use this information to make a fun environment full of motion! Classes and play dates that involve movements like rocking, rolling, spinning, and later on, somersaulting and swinging can stimulate the brain’s capacity for improved learning. These actions are building blocks for how to expand a child’s knowledge of themselves and their surroundings. We want to activate pathways in the brain early so that kids can prime their nervous systems for more complex things like reading, writing, attention skills, speech, and social interactions!

Now, you are probably asking yourself which classes are best for learning these movements? The most useful ones that get your kids up and moving are swimming lessons, gymnastics, and dance! These types of classes work the brain's natural bi-lateral cross patterning by using all four lobes because of how much focus it takes. For instance, in our Surrey swimming lessons, the act of holding your breath, closing your eyes, and putting your head underwater takes a lot of concentration and skill for someone so young. The more cross patterning, means the more nerves firing from one side of the brain to the other. This results in heightened cognition, improved body coordination, and increased learning. Who wouldn’t want a little more of all of that? It’s a good thing the Lower Mainland offers many of these wonderful classes stretching all the way out from Abbotsford, Langley, Cloverdale, Surrey, and White Rock. Make sure to check out your own neighbourhood for incredible classes such as these!

Our Winter swim lessons start January 2nd at our pools in Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. Lessons run from January to April.. 

Register here: https://www.swimclo.com/register

Source: Movement - The Key To Early Learning by Lana Whitehead (SwimKids USA)

Why we think Winter swim lessons are SMART!

Do you think swim lessons are reserved only for the warm weather? Think again!

It’s a common misconception that you should stop swimming in the colder months. But swimming isn’t just reserved for Summer! All of our lessons take place in indoor heated swimming pools so there’s no reason for the weather to be warm. Take a break from the cold and come improve your skills! Here are a few benefits of continuing swim lessons year-round:

1. YOUR CHILD CAN REMAIN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY BY SWIMMING.

It can be hard to keep kids active when it’s cold and wet outside. Swimming makes sure they have an indoor activity that can keep active and healthy even when the weather isn’t so great outside.

2. SWIMMING HELPS MAINTAIN A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM.

Staying active helps build a stronger immune system which helps protect your kids from illnesses, infections, and other not-so-nice stuff. Some parents think that when the weather gets colder, putting their children in the water will get them sick. But it’s always Summer at Swim Clo! We monitor the water to make sure it’s never too cold for you and your children.

3. SWIMMING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR KEEPS YOUR CHILD CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR SWIMMING SKILLS

Taking a break from swimming lessons for a season results in declining swimming performance. Without practice and consistency, it is hard to avoid skill regression. Why not keep your kids feeling confident about their swimming by joining us for another session?

4. YOU WILL BE READY FOR THE BEACH AND POOL NEXT SUMMER

It’s smarter to be prepared! Taking swimming lessons throughout the Winter ensures that by the time Summer comes around, your kiddo will be swimming well and you’ll have less worries about their safety around the water during your next trip to the ocean, lake, or pool!

5. WE’LL SAY IT AGAIN: YOU WILL NOT CATCH A COLD FROM SWIMMING!

It’s worth saying again! This is a common misconception and far from the truth.

Learning how to swim not only ensures your child’s basic safety in the water, but also helps them stay healthy and feel more confident about their swimming skills. Our Winter swimming lessons schedule will be online for you to start planning. We welcome all ages to our classes!  

Join us today by registering here: http://www.swimclo.com/register

What to Do When Your Child is Scared of Swimming Lessons

It’s completely normal for a child to be a bit nervous when beginning swimming lessons. While every child is different, there isn’t a perfect way to get them comfortable in lessons, but the following tips may help relieve your child of some of the nervousness they feel around lessons and/or the pool. 

Enroll with a Friend or Sibling

New environments can be intimidating for anyone! By enrolling your child with his or her friend or sibling,  your child has a higher chance of feeling more comfortable in their lessons and in a new environment. At Swim Clo, we are able to accommodate siblings and friends of different levels due to our individualized lesson plans.  

Introduce your Child to the Environment Outside of Lessons

Whether it is the pool that your child’s lessons are in or a small, controlled environment such as a kiddie pool, making sure your child is getting used to being in an aquatic environment could help make the setting feel more familiar and thus help your child feel less nervous during lessons. Family trips to the pool are encouraged, as it gives the child the chance to develop his or her water confidence while practicing this important life skill.

Use Goggles

The novelty of being able to see underwater may help your child enjoy being in the pool. It may also help if your child is afraid of getting water on his/her face as it is common that young children often dislike getting their faces wet. By preventing the water from getting in their eyes, young children will likely be more comfortable in the water.

What’s helped your child with becoming more comfortable in swimming lessons? Let us know in the comments below!

Register today for our Fall Session at our pools in Surrey, Whiterock, Langley, and Abbotsford: swimclo.com/register

How do Children Learn to Swim as a New Skill?

One of the most important things we teach our swim instructors is how to recognize and spot the individual needs and learning styles of each child. Knowing what signs to look for is one of the best ways to help a child swim along his or her journey to becoming a great swimmer. 

 By tailoring the experience to the child, their chances of improving are greatly improved. The way that we go about this is by identifying what their main learning style is. 

 So what are these learning styles that we keep talking about? Glad you asked…

THE 3 LEARNING STYLES OF KIDS LEARNING TO SWIM

 The three main learning styles are: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. While everyone uses a combination of the three, most children have a dominant style. 

Visual Learners

 Visual learners learn best by watching others first. They have great observation skills and can often remember what they see. You’ll know your kid is a visual learner by spotting the following characteristics:

• They generally want other people to go first or show them first before trying themselves

• They may appear to not understand verbal instructions as well as visual instructions

• Show a strong preference for studying/learning by reading things or reviewing visual aids (eg. notes, charts, etc.)

• They remember what they read rather than what they hear

• They get absorbed into visual stimuli

• May prefer to work alone rather than in groups

Auditory Learners:

 Auditory learners learn best by listening and verbally engaging with their instructors and peers. You’ll know your kid is auditory learner if they display the following characteristics:

• Might talk to themselves while learning something new

• They ask a lot of questions when being taught something

• They often repeat back to you what you’re saying 

• Enjoy discussions over working alone

• May have trouble with written instructions

• May find it difficult to work quietly for long periods of time

• May talk a lot with peers and teachers

Kinesthetic Learners

 Kinesthetic learners “learn by doing.” They understand something best by actually doing the activity, rather than by listening or reading instructions. They are often misdiagnosed as troublemakers because they come across as not paying attention to verbal or visual instructions. You’ll know your kid is a kinesthetic learner by spotting the following signs: 

• They like to take things apart or tinker with toys to understand them

• They might “talk with their hands” a lot

• Like to touch things to learn about them

• Might appear to not be paying attention to instructors

• They may seem to be constantly moving around and have trouble staying still

All children have their own individual learning styles when it comes to swimming. Understanding your child’s  best method for learning new skills is a key component to promoting progress in swimming skill development. 

 No matter what your child’s dominant learning style is, our instructors are equipped to match it to an effective teaching method. Your child will be swimming his or her way to success in no time!

Ready to improve your child’s swimming abilities? Register today at our pools in Surrey, Whiterock, Langley, and Abbotsford: http://www.swimclo.com/register

Drowning Prevention: How to Keep Your Kids Safe this Summer

The sad reality about drowning is that every young child is at risk. While it is not the most comfortable topic to discuss, learning how to keep your children safe around water is a crucial conversation that every parent or caretaker needs to have. 

According to the Government of Canada, drowning is the leading cause of death amongst children between the ages of 1 and 4. In addition, Red Cross reports that 57% of drowning incidents occur between the months of May and August - when the sun is out and Canadian families flock to the beach or pool to enjoy some Summer fun by the water. 

Today we’ve compiled a list of some of the best ways you can prevent any potential drowning scares and keep your kids safe around water this Summer.

1. Always Stay Within an Arm’s Reach

Kids who are not yet experienced swimmers need constant supervision. This means that you (or another responsible adult) should stay in the water with your child at all times. Even when your kids are able to swim long distances you should always keep them in sight as kids of all ages can get stuck underwater, grow tired, or start panicking. 

2. Stop Looking at Your Phone

The same goes for iPads, laptops, and any other electronics you might bring to kill time by the poolside or beach. It only takes a few seconds for your child to become submerged. Making sure that you are not distracted helps prevent any accidents that could be prevented by attentive supervision.

3. Teach Them the Basic Water Safety Rules

To keep it simple, stick to these:

• No running by the pool

• No pushing people in

• Hands to yourself

• No swimming without adult supervision

• No diving in the shallow end

4. Enroll Your Kids in Swimming Lessons 

Swimming is a fundamental life skill that should be taught to children as early as possible in order to prevent accidents in the water. Enrolling your children in swimming lessons while they are young is crucial to developing the necessary water safety habits and swimming skills that could potentially save their lives one day. 

 Our Summer swim lessons start July 6 and are OPEN for registration at our pools in Surrey, Whiterock, Langley, and Abbotsford. Lessons run from July to August. 

Register today: https://www.swimclo.com/register-summer

How Swimming Lessons Promote Success at School

Is your child having a hard time focusing in class or interacting with his/her classmates? 

Consider incorporating swim lessons into your child’s daily routine-- it might help improve their concentration, confidence, and social skills within the classroom.

In a classroom environment where there are over a dozen other young kids, it can be (understandably) difficult for a child to focus or develop positive social skills right away.  

Putting your child into swim lessons can help develop those positive skills that he or she needs to excel in a classroom environment. 

It has been scientifically proven that regular exercise and activity improves concentration amongst students. By keeping your child active and healthy, you could improve his or her ability to concentrate in school while also increasing their energy levels, their health, all while learning a practical and life-saving skill. 

Swimming lessons are a great option for exercise because it’s an activity that can be done year-round.

Are your kids currently involving physical activity outside of their school curriculum? 

If not, why not try out swimming lessons? Check out our available Winter Session (PRESENT - April 14) classes here: swimclo.com/register

What is the Best Age to Start Kids in Swim Lessons?

ISR Swim Instructor Ilise Kohleriter​ http://www.isrwaterkids.com Elizabeth's Journey has been a long time in the making. Here is a video of Elizabeth during her younger years. Witness a few of Elizabeth's first. First time to swim across the pool, first time to swim in a pool, and first time to swim in a pool.

Wondering what age to start your children in swim lessons?

You’re not alone! Most parents find it confusing to know at what age they should enrol their kids in swimming lessons. If you’ve been asking this question lately, this is the answer from the swim professionals:

We recommend starting your kids in swim lessons as infants. This is because as kids cognitively develop, they also develop a fear of water. Learning to swim before they learn to be scared of water is a huge advantage that can result in faster progress in the development of their swim skills let alone they will become more natural swimmers.

At Swim Clo, we teach kids as young as 4 months old! You can choose to be in the pool with your tot or let one of our certified swim instructors take care of everything.

Along with the many health benefits that swimming provides, swimming is also a lifesaving skill that every individual should learn. Especially with family trips to the beach and pool, it’s important that every child have the skills to stay safe in and near the water and have fun while doing it! By preparing now, your family will be ready for those upcoming trips to the beach, pool, and lake!  

Even if your kids never go near the water without your supervision, it is important that every child acquires basic water safety skills for their own safety and your own peace of mind as accidents do happen.

Still have questions about putting your child into swimming lessons? Feel free to email or text us [link] any questions you might have we’ll be more than happy to answer them.

Our Winter session (PRESENT - April 14) is currently open for registration. Register or inquire today: swimclo.com/register

Keep on swimming!

Why Swim Clo?

At Swim Clo we teach people to "Learn to Swim in a 1/4 of the time". 
What other programs do in 3-4 years we do in 1 year therefore saving you the most precious commodity 'TIME'. 

Here is Why Swim Clo's group Swimming Lessons get the best Results:

Professional Coaches. Our Red Cross certified professional coaches/lifeguards offer the safest and highest quality supervision out there!

Maximum Participation. All students participate at the same time. There is no wasted time because of students having to wait for their turn to participate!

Private Learning Environment. We make sure that the environment is free of distractions and overstimulation so that the students can focus on what’s important: learning to swim!

Small Group Lessons. Group lessons consist of up to a MAXIMUM of 5 swimmers so that each student can get the attention that they deserve.

Customized Lesson Plans. Lesson plans are adapted based on each swimmer’s individual learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. Plans focus primarily on Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Elementary Back Stroke, Breast Stroke, and the Butterfly.

Games with Aims. Important life skills that could save your child’s life… but taught through fun and engaging games!

Constant Communication with parents.  The ongoing contact makes sure that parents are kept “in the know” about lessons, their children’s progress, and other class updates.

Longer Lesson Duration.  We offer lessons that range from 45 minutes to 1 hour in duration. Longer duration classes allow swimmers enough time to develop the muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, comfort and feel of the water necessary to become an efficient swimmer. 

REGISTER TODAY AND SEE YOUR KIDS GET THE BEST RESULTS!

Why We LOVE Winter Swimming Lessons

Think that you can’t take swim lessons in the Winter? Think again!

It’s a common misconception that you should stop swimming in the colder months. But swimming isn’t just reserved for Summer! Here are a few benefits of continuing swim lessons year-round:

1. Swimming helps maintain a healthy immune system.

Staying active helps build a stronger immune system which helps protect your kids from illnesses, infections, and other not-so-nice stuff. Some parents think that when the weather gets colder, putting their children in the water will get them sick. But it’s always Summer at Swim Clo! We monitor the water to make sure it’s never too cold for you and your children.

2. Swimming keeps your child active and healthy.

It can be hard to keep kids active when it’s cold and wet outside. Swimming makes sure they have an indoor activity that can keep active and healthy even when the weather isn’t so great outside.

3. Swimming throughout the year keeps your child confident about their swimming skills

Taking a break from swimming lessons for a season results in declines in swimming performance. Without practice and consistency, it is hard to avoid skill regression. Why not keep your kids feeling confident about their swimming by taking another session? [insert link to registration]

4. You will be ready for the beach and pool next Summer

It’s better to be prepared! Taking swimming lessons throughout the Winter ensures that by the time Summer comes around, your kid will be swimming well and you’ll have less worries about their safety around the water during your next trip to the beach or pool.

5. We’ll say it again: You will not catch a cold from swimming!

It’s worth saying again! This is a common misconception and far from the truth.

Learning how to swim not only ensures your child’s basic safety in the water, but also helps them stay healthy and feel more confident about their swimming skills. Our Winter swimming lessons are open and we welcome everyone to our classes.  Join us today by registering here: http://www.swimclo.com/register

TOP 3 REASONS WHY SWIMMING LESSONS IN THE WINTER ARE THE WAY TO GO

Why stop something that can save your child’s life? Keep swimming this winter for the results you want, instead of wasting money on regaining the hard earned skills after an unnecessary break! 

#1. YOU WILL NOT CATCH A COLD FROM SWIMMING LESSONS!

Keeping your kids in regular swimming lessons over Winter with Swim Clo Aquatics will actually help them keep the bugs away! You better believe it! Pulling the kids out of Swimming lessons does more bad then good. The key to keeping kids healthy is good food choices and regular exercise! Physical activity strengthens the immune system, and therefore will help the body to fight the germs that we get when we suffer the common 'cold'. Added bonus is, we have warm showers at all Swim Clo Aquatics pools, so our swimmers can have a nice warm shower to finish off their fabulous lesson before heading back into the Winter weather! Keep swimming with Swim Clo this Winter Session: REGISTER TODAY!

#2. IT'S ALWAYS SUMMER AT SWIM CLO!

No need to fear the cold water this Winter, because it's Summer all year-round at Swim Clo! You and your kids will love our comfortable 84-86 degree pool environment! If you have a little tot or preschooler, we can appreciate it can be quite the task to bundle them up to go somewhere in the winter weather...BUT you will see that it is well worth it! Why? Because once you get to your Swim Clo pool, we have a fun and warm environment waiting for you! Keep swimming with Swim Clo this Winter Session: REGISTER TODAY!

#3. WE CAN MAKE A TIGHT 'HOLIDAY' BUDGET WORK!

We all know that the 'Happy Holiday' season can make our bank accounts not so happy, right? But we encourage you to not let your kids swimming skills pay the price. Your little ones have worked hard to get to where they are with their swimming skills, so why stop now? Consistency is the key to retaining a skill on a permanent basis. Without the consistency children naturally regress and you will find that come the Spring session your child, and your wallet, will be doing catch up! Make a good investment and keep them swimming over the Winter Session! If the financial investment of swimming lessons is still a concern, we have solutions! Firstly, you have the choice to reduce your budget and lesson duration to make your lessons more affordable. Secondly, you can refer a friend and get $50 credit on your Swim Clo account! Keep swimming with Swim Clo this Winter Session: REGISTER TODAY!

Why we LOVE our substitute teachers

Substitute teachers give your child a valuable opportunity to learn different techniques and adapt to new challenges in various perspectives. While some children may become comfortable and reliant on their familiar teacher, it is a good idea to expose them to different personalities. Teachers will always have different styles of teaching and communicating with their students. Some students will respond differently to the different approaches to teaching used by different people.

Allowing your children to be comfortable with subs and new teachers enables the building and maintaining of healthy relationships and development in socialization. In researching the importance of social skills, I came across this Psychology Today article that quotes: “…Early social emotional skills are related to how socially, emotionally, academically and professionally skilled we are later in life. For example, having higher social-emotional skills in kindergarten is related to important outcomes at age 25… (Jones, Greenberg, & Crowley, 2015)...”

Our children’s teachers and instructors are there for them as much as they can, however life happens from time to time and sometimes they are not always able to fulfill their duties. This is where our lovely subs come in! They gladly step in to save the day to ensure your children don’t miss valuable learning time. It is crucial at a young age to absorb all the world has to offer, and to be comfortable with those who want to share their wisdom. Help your child get the most out of their learning experience by appreciating and enjoying a sub, if ever they have the pleasure. Sure the usual smiling face isn’t here today, but thankfully there is someone there that is happy to become a friendly new face you and your children can trust.

Safety Tips Around Your Backyard Pool

On a hot Summers day, there is nothing better than taking a refreshing dip in a swimming pool. Those who are lucky enough to have access to their own private pool can face some major safety hazards. Here are our top tips to keep you and your kids safe around your backyard pool:

1. Learn to Swim: 

The most important method of prevention is learning to swim. It is essential that everybody in your home knows how. Swimming is a very important life skill that helps keep you and your kids safe in the water.  

2. Supervise Children Closely: 

Never leave a child unattended around your pool or hot tub. Even if your child is confident in the water and can swim, there should always be at least one set of eyes on them at all times.

3. Install Pool Barriers: 

One of the best safety measures for your backyard pool is to construct a pool fence on all four sides. This will keep kids out of the water when you’re not outside to supervise them. Make sure gates used to access the pool are self-closing and self-latching. It is also advised to install a safety cover for your pool.

4. Have an Emergency Plan in Place: 

• Keep rescue equipment by the pool – such as life rings or a reaching pole. 

• Make sure all the adults in your home have CPR and first aid training. 

• Have a phone poolside with emergency numbers.

5. Implement Pool Rules 

Educate your pool guests on what is acceptable behaviour around the pool. For example: No pushing, No running on the pool deck, No diving in the shallow end.

6. Avoid Entrapment: 

It is important to update your drains with anti-entrapment safety covers as the suction from some drains can easily trap children and adults.

7. Inspect for Hazards:

Make sure pool toys and cleaning equipment are stored away from the pool deck when not in use.

We hope you enjoy the pool, as it’s a great source of activity and social gathering for familiy and friends.  We encourage children and adults of all ages to swim, and to be comfortable around water. We offer lessons year-round, so it’s always a good time to learn to swim!  Join us in our Winter Session today!  

Keep Swimming~

HEALTHY SNACKS FOR ACTIVE KIDS

Preparing your young athlete is not only important before activity, but also during and after.  Choosing snacks that do double duty is beneficial, and efficient for them to absorb nutrients. Challenges, such as finicky eaters, can get involved in their own snack planning together with mom or dad to encourage consumption (and decrease battles over food).

The rule is at least 5 grams of protein and no more than 5 grams of sugar (just over a teaspoon).   A vegetarian snack for pre-activity is recommended because the body wastes energy trying to digest meat, but a meat-source protein (ie. beef jerky) is an option for post activity.  Fresh fruit (not juice), unsweetened applesauce, raisins/dried fruit, hummus with carrots or celery, and whole grain pretzels, crackers, or half a bagel with peanut butter or jam, and of course, string cheese, is always a hit!  Snacks that include potassium (bananas) can help prevent cramping. Add a nut butter for a vegetarian source of protein to amp up your snack.

A vitamin D supplement is something to consider; Canadians are at epidemic levels of low vitamin D.  The use of sunscreen is preventing our bodies from absorbing natural Vitamin D from the sun (by 90%), which increases the risk of fractures.  A great source of Vitamin D is milk, fortified orange juice, cheese, yogurt, and tuna snacks. A great finger food is ham and cheese wraps, which also double as an excellent protein source.

Lastly, don’t forget to hydrate!  Children between 5-8 years old should drink at least 4 cups (1 Liter) of water a day.  As they sweat, they lose water and electrolytes. A tasty source of hydration is Gatorade or Powerade, as it also includes electrolytes.  However, there is a moderate amount of sugar in those beverages, so they should only be consumed after an intense workout activity. Plain filtered water is always the best option though!

We hope your kids are staying active and healthy!  While we can’t help with snacks, we can help keep your kids active for the summer.  Our Summer Camp programs are running until the end of August whereby kids swim daily Monday to Friday for 2 weeks.  Register today, and don’t forget to bring their snacks to eat after their lesson!

Keep Splashing~!

Tips for a safe Family Beach Vacation

Tips For a SAFE Family Beach Vacation

While spending the day at the Beach, soaking up the sun and listening to the waves crash onto the shore is a great way to enjoy your family vacation, it is also a place where you could be exposed to many hazards.  Below are a few safety tips to make your beach vacation enjoyable, safe and memorable:

1. Learn to Swim

The first thing to do before heading on a beach vacation is to make sure the members of your family are able to swim, and most importantly, stay afloat.

2. Pay Attention to Local Warnings

Before entering the water, have a look around for the lifeguard tower and check with the lifeguards on duty what the wave conditions are like. Also, keep an eye out to see what colour flag is raised:

• Double Red: Water is closed to the public

• Red: Rough conditions - take great care

• Red/Yellow: Lifeguard supervision

• Yellow: Moderate currents present

3. Enter the Water Feet First

Do not dive into the water until you know the depth. Never dive head first into the water, even if you know how deep it is because conditions under the water are always changing.    

4. Real Drowning Doesn’t Look the Same as on TV

Drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death among children. A drowning person will only struggle on the surface for 2-60 seconds; they cannot wave for help and their bodies remain upright in the water.  Remain vigilant and be aware of your kids where-abouts in and around the water at all times.

5. Take Regular Breaks

There are also dangers outside of the water. Exhaustion, sunburn and heat stroke are all common problems we see from spending the day at the beach. Always take short breaks throughout the day to seek shade, to drink water, have a snack and apply sunscreen.  

6. Swim With a Buddy

Always try to swim with one or more individuals to help spot each other.  Cramps, exhaustion and sudden on-set of rough water conditions can quickly affect your ability to swim or stay afloat.  A buddy can quickly call for assistance, or help you reach safety.

The purpose of a family vacation is to relax, spend quality time with your loved ones and make lifelong memories. Following these precautions to stay safe at the beach should help you do just that.  Register your little one in our Summer swimming session and get ready for your next Beach vacation. We have two options to choose from:

1.      Summer Camps: Students swim every day (Mon-Fri) for 2 weeks at the same time daily.

2.      Summer Prep Program: Students swim 1x per week on Sat or Sun (depending on location) for 8 weeks (July 6/7 to Aug 24/25)

Click here to register http://www.swimclo.com/register-summer

CLOVERDALE: Register for Swim Lessons at our Cloverdale East Pool!

Looking for swimming lessons in Cloverdale?

Swim Clo Aquatics and Fitness Inc offers the finest SWIM LESSONS in Cloverdale East and Cloverdale West!

We are in partnership with the Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society. We currently serve the communities of South Surrey, Langley, Cloverdale West, Cloverdale East, and Abbotsford. 

Our swimming lessons focus on customized, small-group or one-on-one instruction in an intimate, private setting. Participants in our programs achieve goals that are far above average expectations due to our unique Learn-to-Swim program known as the "Swim Clo program," excellent instruction, maximum participation, customized lesson plans and small class sizes to name a few. Learn more about what makes Swim Clo different here.

Ready to get swimming? Register today for our next available session!

OUR SURREY/LANGLEY SWIM SCHOOL