*If any classes are full, please register for the waitlist as we may be able to add a 2nd instructor to allow for more registrations from the waitlist. American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Lesson Descriptions: This recognized program is instructed by certified staff. A skills test on the first day of lessons will determine if your child is in the appropriate level. Based on the test, instructors may ask to move your child to a different level offered at a similar time. It is not unusual to repeat levels before mastering all the skills. Below you will find the skills taught for each level of lessons. Feel free to call the Community Ed office to check which lessons your child took last year. Parent/Baby Swim Lessons Ages 6-23 months Enter & exit the water safely Feel comfortable in the water Experience wearing a life jacket Play safely in the water Submerge & explore breath control & floating on back/front Child must be accompanied by an adult in the water and a swim diaper must be worn. Parent/Tot Swim Lessons Ages 2-4 Enter & exit the water safely Submerge in rhythmic pattern Change body position Glide on front/back with aid Experience wearing a life jacket Child must be accompanied by an adult. A swim diaper must be worn if child is not potty-trained. Preschool Level A (Recommended for Ages 4-5) This will be your child’s first lesson without an adult. Introduction to basic skills that will lay the foundation for future skill development. Skills can be performed with instructor assistance. Enter/exit water safely Roll to back & float for 3 seconds Submerge mouth & blow bubbles for 3 seconds Glide on front for at least two body lengths Swim at least 5 yards Preschool Level B (Recommended for Ages 4-5) Build on skills taught in Preschool Level A. For students who are not afraid in the water & have had lessons on their own before. Instructors will provide less assistance to build child’s confidence in swimming alone. Step from side into chest-deep water Move into a front float for 5 seconds, rolling to back Push off & use combined arm/leg actions on front for 5 body lengths Roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front & continue for 5 body lengths Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills (Recommended for Ages 6+) Minimal instructor assistance to build child’s confidence in swimming alone and prepare for level 2. Enter/exit water safely Submerge mouth, nose & eyes Fully dunk head underwater and retrieve submerged item Use life jacket · Float on front/back Exhale underwater through mouth & nose Explore arm/hand movements Basic water safety rules Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills All skills will need to be done without assistance before testing day - usually the second/third to last day. Rotary breathing Swim on front & back using combined arm and leg actions, 5 body lengths Back float for 15 seconds Front, jellyfish, & tuck floats, 10 seconds Change direction of travel while on front and back NEWLY ADDED Level 2B: Fundamental Aquatic Skills Level 2 to 3 is a large jump some children are unprepared for, but have done level 2 skills sufficiently. Working to increase the time and distances floating/treading/swimming to be closer to level 3 abilities. Not necessarily needed unless suggested by the instructor. Tread water for 30 seconds Back float for 30 seconds Rotary breathing Intro to flutter, scissors, breaststroke & dolphin kicks Change from horizontal to vertical position on front & back Front and back crawl & elementary backstroke Level 3: Stroke Development Side deep water jump Survival float Fully submerged head bob Retrieve submerged item Kneeling/standing dive Reaching assist Horizontal rotary breathing Front/back crawl/glide Butterfly kick HELP/Huddle position Emergency Check-Call-Care Switch from horizontal/vertical to front/back Level 4: Stroke Improvement Shallow, stride position or feet-first surface dives Swim underwater Tread water using sculling arm motions & kick Front/back crawl Throwing assist Safe diving Front/back open turns Conscious choking victim care Breaststroke/butterfly Elementary backstroke Scissors kick on side Compact jump from a height, wearing a life jacket Level 5/6: Stroke Refinement Skills focus largely on swim team preparation with technical fixes and endurance. Tread 2 different kicks Front/backstroke flip turns Standing-tuck/pike surface dives Survival swimming Rescue breathing Butterfly, breaststroke, sidestroke Front/back crawl, elementary backstroke Shallow dive, glide 2 body lengths into front stroke