Blog Post

Why We Don't Limit Class Space

Vlad Atlantis • Apr 10, 2018

Kids Need Space To Grow....which is why we don't limit it!

We have all heard (or said), "Go outside and play!", with the main point being that kids need plenty of space to run around and burn off energy. If we know that space is important with every outdoor or dryland sport, why should your swim lessons be any different? Here at Atlantis Swim Academy, we don't believe in restricting your child's movement, which is why you won't see one of those intricately designed class dividers that you will see at many other swim schools.

The reason is simple: more room/space for your child to practice means more development & progress for the child! Our number one priority is your child's progress, if it wasn't, we wouldn't be in business long. With this priority comes our commitment to provide the highest quality lesson plans coupled with the space needed for them. We don't limit class space with those tic-tac-toe inspired dividers because we believe in giving each and every child the space they need to learn, splash and grow!

Less is more, except when it isn't.

Some schools choose to use extreme dividers for safety reasons, others do it so they can jam-pack their pool with as many simultaneous lessons as possible but we find most circumstances suspect. Atlantis Swim Academy uses platforms that the child can swim to as part of our lesson plans. That means the coach is never too far away from any child, preventing safety issues with a fast & dedicated response from the swim teacher. Additionally, when children grow accustomed to small spaces, the introduction or transition to larger spaces becomes more difficult for them and in some cases traumatic. The shift from such a small space to a large space can be overwhelming for the student and inhibit future progress.

These aren't just words from ASA management: Our lesson plans have incorporated this use of space into tangible goals for our swimmers. Beginner level swimmers must show that they can swim at least 10 feet independently. That means we could drop them into the center of our pool and they would have the skills to swim by themselves to the edge for safety. Without the endurance and muscle memory that our space provides, this can be a difficult and daunting task for beginner swimmers. Due to our philosophy however, many of our students exceed this requirement and are able to swim the entire width of our pools (over 20 feet)!

Now that you know it isn't required, do something about it! Children CAN unlock the secrets of Atlantis and learn to swim. Where the Water is Warm & the Instructors are Cool!

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