1. Communicate again and again

Effective communication is the cornerstone of empowerment. I’ve learned to adjust my communication style to engage both visual and kinaesthetic learners. In the pool, you demonstrate a new skill through another student's movements. You bring awareness and remind them to feel what they're doing. You create vivid, relatable stories to explain ideas. This multi-sensory approach ensures that everyone understands the lesson in a way that resonates with them. This approach paints a whole picture of what we're learning.

For my team, regular meetings and check-ins create an open dialogue where they feel heard and valued. This prevents misunderstandings. It also helps create a collaborative environment. In this environment, ideas and feedback are freely exchanged, contributing to our innovative nature.

2. Practice patience

Patience is essential, whether I'm teaching a child or training a new staff member. Early on, I used to get frustrated when people didn’t grasp things quickly. Over time, I’ve learned to view my role as a guide, empowering others to navigate their learning journey at their own pace. Introduce concepts slowly. Allow time for practice. This helps children and team members gain confidence and skills better. I believe patience fosters a positive learning environment where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth rather than failures. This approach encourages a growth mindset. It makes us want to persevere through challenges and keep improving. It does so without the fear of judgment or criticism.

3. Create a safe space for mistakes

Mistakes are inevitable and should be viewed as learning opportunities. Creating a safe space where mistakes are not only accepted but expected allows our students and teachers to take risks and grow. For my team, this means involving them in problem-solving rather than fixing issues myself. For children, it means reassuring them that it’s okay to make mistakes and guiding them gently towards improvement. By normalising mistakes, we reduce the fear of failure and encourage a culture of growth. This safe space also builds resilience. People learn to recover from setbacks and gain problem-solving skills. These skills are crucial for personal and professional growth.

4. Make decisions, together

Involving others in decision-making processes leads to a sense of ownership and investment. Whether it’s developing a new teaching strategy or tweaking an existing one, I love to involve my team in discussions and deeply value their input. It not only empowers them but also leads to better, more inclusive solutions. I've noticed when my team feel they have a voice, they are much more likely to take initiative and contribute proactively. This sense of ownership enhances their commitment to our vision at In The Deep. We all get to feel responsible for our collective success. Empowering others through shared decision-making leads to a more dynamic and motivated team!

5. Have a vision

Having a clear vision aligns and motivates everyone towards a common goal. During our kickoff meetings, I share our vision and goals for the year. This not only helps me stay focused but also inspires the team to work towards something meaningful. For our students, sharing a vision of their potential and celebrating their progress towards achieving it can be incredibly motivating. A well-communicated vision provides direction and purpose, guiding daily actions and long-term strategies. It also inspires during tough times. It reminds everyone of the big picture and the impact of their efforts. By aligning goals with an overarching vision, we create a cohesive and motivated team working towards a shared goal.

6. Cultivate your culture

Creating the right culture is key to maintaining motivation and continuous learning. At In The Deep, we celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, to reinforce positive behaviour. Feedback is constructive. It is given to help the person grow. It is always framed in the context of their progress and potential. Celebrations boost morale and acknowledge hard work, fostering a positive and encouraging environment. Meanwhile, helpful feedback is constructive. It is delivered thoughtfully. It helps people see where to improve and develop their skills. This balanced approach ensures that everyone feels appreciated for their efforts. It also guides them towards continuous growth.

7. Make it fun!

Mary Poppins was right, fun is a powerful motivator! We add a big sense of play into everything we do, to make hard work enjoyable and complex learning easier. Our team will go to great lengths in keeping the atmosphere full of fun so we all stay engaged and motivated. Fun activities, like dress-ups and dad-jokes, break the monotony of routine. They add energy to learning, making it engaging and memorable. For my team, fun challenges and team-building activities help to create a positive culture. For children, fun lessons create a love for learning and make the development of new skills a more joyful experience.

Integrating fun into hard work not only enhances motivation but also strengthens the bonds within the team and with our students.

8. It’s not about you!

One of the hardest lessons I've learned is not to take things personally. When kids aren’t listening or a staff member makes a mistake, it’s not a reflection of me. It’s about finding new ways to communicate and connect to empower others. This shift helps me stay calm. It lets me focus on finding a cure, not on getting frustrated. When we remove our ego from the equation, we create an environment where feedback is seen as constructive rather than critical. Mutual respect and understanding, allow space for more effective communication and problem-solving. Recognising that challenges are part of the process helps keep a productive learning atmosphere. We strive to help everyone feel seen and understood.

9. Stay calm and carry on

Unexpected situations are a given, whether it’s a child struggling with a new skill or a sudden drop in enrolments. Staying calm and composed in these moments sets the tone for how others respond. Modelling a sense of calm amongst the chaos, I believe empowers others to handle challenges with more confidence. I've come to discover that calmness in the face of adversity also builds trust, as others see you as a reliable and steady leader. It encourages proactive, not reactive problem-solving. Issues are addressed methodically and effectively. This helps with immediate challenges. It also builds resilience in others. It readies them to handle future uncertainties, whether in the pool or out!

10. We all see, hear, and feel things differently

Understanding that everyone has a unique perspective and learning style is crucial to empower others. I try to connect with each person at their level. I ask questions to understand their needs and tailor my approach accordingly. Practising empathy and flexibility creates a deeper connection. It also leads to more effective teaching and leadership. Recognising and respecting our unique differences creates an inclusive environment. In it, everyone feels seen and valued. This is so important to our swim school. It boosts engagement and learning. People feel their needs and views are heard and addressed. We embrace diversity in communication and teaching styles. This creates a richer learning experience that helps everyone!

Wondering how you can begin to empower others in your sphere?

One piece of advice I'd give to anyone looking to become a more empowering leader is to genuinely understand and care for the people you're leading. Take the time to listen to their concerns, understand their strengths, and help them see their potential when they're in the weeds. To me, empowerment is about making an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. This allows them to reach their full potential. I hope these lessons along my journey to being a leader, can help you build a strong foundation for empowering others in any setting! Interested in learning more about how we create an empowering learning environment for kids in their swim lessons? Click here.

Sea you in the water,
x Sasha

The post Empowering Others: Ten Lessons appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

So how can we all help kids overcome their fear of the water?

Progressions in swimming lessons.

In lessons, the simple answer is progressions; it's all about building confidence, one achievable step at a time. If a child is terrified of putting their face in the water, we start slow. Rushing through steps doesn’t work either; we've seen this enough to know that it can slow progress by doing too much, too quickly. Slow it down.

Pressure and expectations are not helpful.

Parents, please take note — putting pressure on your child can hinder their progress.

This is a journey, not a race!

It's stressful to the teacher, who then pushes the child further than they're ready for, and the child in turn feels that pressure, creating unnecessary stress. The less pressure, the faster the results.

Let them play.

Encouraging play is a vital aspect of our approach at In The Deep. Children thrive when they're given the freedom to play in the water without the constant pressure to achieve specific milestones. The beauty of kids lies in their natural inclination to play – even during those brief two-minute waits for their turn in a lesson, they're on the step, joyfully practicing what they've learned! It's an innate quality that we cherish.

Play holds significant importance because it allows kids to engage with the water on their terms and at their own pace. We all appreciate the value of practicing without someone scrutinising our every move, don't we? We believe that learning is enhanced when children are granted the space to explore their developing skills independently.

So, at your local pool, observe and engage with your child in a relaxed manner – without any undue pressure. Watch as they utilise the skills and tools acquired in lessons, instinctively exploring and enjoying the water on their own. This playtime not only reinforces their learning but also contributes to a positive and joyful association with the water.

Release the tension.

When our muscles are tense, we tend to sink in the water. Not a great strategy for swimming!

Sometimes, kids overcoming their fear in the water isn’t just about anxiety; it could stem from a past traumatic experience. We take it slow and use methods like gentle exercises such as our side sweeps, combined with pleasant conversation to distract and ease their minds. One of our go-to's is 'what did you have for breakfast?!' We're getting them used to the feel of the water while they're thinking about their delicious morning meal!

Talking it out can help kids overcome their fears of the water.

Talking it out is powerful. Understanding a child’s fears and reassuring them can make a huge difference. It could be as simple as discussing a bad dream they've had about sharks and then playfully checking underwater and confirming there are none. Fun for us, and reassuring for them!

Whatever you do, don't give up on them.

No matter what, perseverance is key when it comes to helping children overcome their fear of the water. We understand it can be a gradual process, and sometimes it takes longer than expected. In such instances, we tap into our most innovative methods and collaborate as a team to assist a child in breaking through their mental barriers – locating their magic switch!

One memorable case involved a student who was deeply afraid of back-floating for an extended period. At In The Deep, giving up is not in our vocabulary. Following various trials and tribulations, we devised a special half-hour back-float workshop with the entire team. Through a combination of fun, gentle challenges, and our persuasive skills, the child not only overcame the fear but ended up loving back-floats by the session's end. This success story highlights the importance of persistence and creative problem-solving in swimming lessons.

Credit is also due to the parents who stood by their child throughout this journey. It serves as a valuable lesson for all of us — sometimes finding the right method requires dedication and a bit of trial and error.

We often give up too easily, but overcoming challenges is a life lesson we must honour. It reinforces the notion that having a support system and rallying behind each other is crucial in helping children to overcome their fear.

Find a balance between feeling safe, yet challenged to learn.

We want kids to feel safe while being nudged out of their comfort zones to grow. Developing our program's progressions so that we meet kids exactly where they're at, without taking them too far, giving them the space and time to get it right is how we strike a balance. It's part of our secret sauce that gradually pushes them forward without causing harm.

A reward fuels motivation.

Kids want our ribbons. They're cute, but it's the meaning behind them that they want the most. They represent the perseverance they've gone through to achieve one, and love the praise and celebration they receive. Using ribbons as a ‘carrot’ during lessons gives kids a healthy dose of motivation to conquer their fears.

Fun: essential.

In the realm of water, which can be perceived as dangerous for many children, our approach is transformative. We recognise that, in various cultures and societies, water serves essential roles — be it a source of income or the means to collect drinking water for survival. In Australia we’re incredibly lucky – we celebrate water as a playground, a source of absolute joy and connection.

Guiding a child to overcome their fear of water into a joyful relationship is a truly beautiful endeavour. Seeing kids flourish in the water opens their lives up to a realm of freedom, self-discovery, creativity, and joy.

From a timid start, barely putting their face in the water, to confidently performing summersaults and handstands with ease; it instills in us more than just a feeling of safety; in invites us to recognise the importance of having fun in our lives.

We're deeply passionate at In The Deep about redefining the narrative around water, making it a place of wonder rather than fear. Imagine a world where every child had the opportunity to overcome their fears of the water! Oh, the places we could go...

Don't delay – start your child's journey with us today!

Sea you in the water,
x Sasha

The post From fearful to bright-eyed: How to help kids overcome their fears of the water. appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

Nurturing confidence in young swimmers with progressions.

Our approach at In The Deep acknowledges that swimming can be overwhelming for young learners. By breaking it down into manageable steps — progressions — we ensure that children feel excited about their achievements along the way rather than overwhelmed and stressed by the process.

Why is this approach so vital? Firstly, it's all about building confidence. Confidence is key to developing a graceful, relaxed swimmer. Each small victory in a progression reinforces a child's belief in their abilities.

Our progressions extend benefits to both teachers and students. Teachers gain a deeper understanding of each skill, allowing them to offer precise guidance. Children, on the other hand, get to master each element before moving on. This not only prevents future challenges but also paves the way for long-term success in the pool.

Ultimately, swimming isn't just about getting somewhere in water; it's about nurturing a sense of achievement and self-assurance in our young swimmers. By slowing our swim lessons down and embracing progressions, we lay the foundation for a lifelong love of swimming and the skills to stay safe in the water.

Repetition leads to mastery.

Repetition becomes their ally in this slowed-down process, allowing their young minds to grow familiar with each stroke and technique.

When they encounter the same movements and exercises week after week, it's not about monotony; it's about mastery.

The consistency in our approach brings comfort and confidence, erasing the anxiety of uncertainty that often accompanies change in a challenging environment. Children begin to anticipate what's coming next in their lessons, which in turn fosters a sense of ownership over their progress.

It's a journey where each lesson builds upon the last, laying a solid foundation for future skills. After twenty years of lessons, we've observed that the magic of progress often happens, not on the first try, but on the third or fourth try. The more repetition, the more room there is in the lesson for success. In a world where we're constantly in a rush, we feel kids swim lessons are an opportunity to remind us of the beauty in slowing down, allowing children to flourish at their own pace.

Ensuring consistency for effective learning.

At the heart of our kids swim lessons is a simple yet powerful principle: consistency. It's all about using the same instructions and words, week after week. Our uniformed language has an exponential impact on children's learning. By avoiding confusion and ensuring familiarity, young swimmers progress rapidly.

Consistency extends to the structure of our lessons as well. We eliminate idle time during classes, making the most of every minute in the pool. Our streamlining speeds up the learning process.

Consistency within our team is equally vital. If on occasion kids have a different teacher for their lesson, using the same progressions, words and instructions down to the tiniest detail ensures that they stay on track. Deviating from this approach can cause confusion in the learning journey, so to maintain this consistency we’re emphatic about this with our team.

We provide structured lesson plans with designated progressions, instructions and keywords. We also emphasise training with new teachers, holding them accountable for following and staying true to our methods.

The power of focusing on one thing at a time.

Focusing on one thing at a time is crucial in kids swim lessons. It’s a concept deeply rooted in how our brains process information. Research indicates that the human brain excels when presented with three to four pieces of information but often becomes overwhelmed and less effective when bombarded with more than five. This insight on cognitive load holds significant implications for educators, especially when guiding children through as complex a skill as learning to swim.

Consider the example of teaching freestyle swimming. This stroke involves a multitude of moving parts, from strokes and kicking to breathing, body rotation, propulsion and coordination. However, the key to effective instruction lies in breaking down the complex skill into manageable, sequential progressions.

Imagine starting with the foundational element of proper breathing. In the early stages of kids swim lessons, it's paramount that young learners become comfortable with holding their breath underwater and exhaling in a controlled manner. By focusing solely and simply on this aspect, children are not overwhelmed with a barrage of instructions. It's a step-by-step approach that allows them to internalise and master one skill confidently before moving on to the next.

This method isn't limited to swimming; it's a universal approach applicable to various skills and disciplines. Whether it's learning a musical instrument, riding a bike, or mastering reading, the principle of focusing on one thing at a time remains steadfast!

Effective communication on a child's level.

Effective communication with children is the cornerstone of an empowering learning environment. It's not just about what we say but also how we say it that makes all the difference in ensuring that kids not only hear, but truly understand and engage with the learning process. Simplicity and clarity in our instructions are key.

Imagine teaching a child a complex concept like swimming, all at once using intricate, convoluted language — it's like speaking a foreign language to them. The result? Misunderstanding, fear, frustration, and a lack of engagement. Instead, our aim should be to break down ideas into the most simple way that meets the child with where they're at.

So how do we do that? The art of communicating on a child’s level involves fun, creativity and the use of visual aids. Young children, in particular, learn by observing and imitating. They’re like sponges, absorbing information from their surroundings.

Demonstrations can be super effective. Ask a child to take a big breath after you've done so in a comically animated way, and you've not only communicated effectively but also connected with them on their level!

Making learning fun is a powerful approach, especially with younger children. Even a simple reward system, like offering a high five for completing a task, can transform a seemingly mundane activity into an exciting challenge they'll happily take on.

We like to remind our teachers that they should understand that improving their own communication skills is often the solution when children struggle to grasp a concept. It's not about blaming the child but adapting our approach to meet their unique needs and developmental stage. Effective communication is not just a skill; it's the foundation upon which meaningful learning experiences are built.

Small class sizes are our extra secret sauce.

In the world of kids swim lessons, class size matters — a lot. At In The Deep we believe having just two children in a learn to swim class is the sweet spot for fostering effective learning. It ensures that each child receives the attention and practice time they need to excel in the water.

With small class sizes, both children are fully engaged, allowing for ample practice in our thirty minute lesson, more personalised support and enough time to rest in between taking their turn. It also accommodates kids with different skill levels and personalities. In contrast, classes with 3 or more kids often result in less practice time, attention as well as safety concerns, ultimately hindering progress. While larger classes may be a necessity in some regions due to resource constraints, the benefits of two kids per class are clear in our experience.

Dive into confidence: Our structured approach to kids' swim lessons in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.

Our structured, thorough approach to kids swim lessons is about embracing repetition, maintaining consistency, focusing on one thing at a time, and communicating effectively. Benefiting from small class sizes ensures individualised support, maximised practice time, lots of fun and courage-building along the way.

Are you ready to empower your child through our learn to swim program here in Sydney? Join us today and we'll reveal the wonders of being in the water, gently guiding your child to become a relaxed, stress-free swimmer!

Sea you in the water,
x Sasha

The post How we create an empowering learning environment for our kids swim lessons. appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

At In The Deep though, HOW we learn to swim is as important as learning in the first place.

It's not about staying on top of the water, rushing to the nearest wall or person to catch our breath and avoid sinking. It's also not about focusing solely on the safety and strokes aspect that reinforces the – outdated idea – that freestyle = swimming. Dog paddling and adding overarms, like so many outdated learn to swim programs, for us that's a big no!

Here in Sydney, a city surrounded by and obsessed with water, we exist to help kids form a far deeper connection to the water. One of joy, creativity, discovery and ease that can be found – beneath the surface.

It's creating a positive relationship with swimming by slowing down a complex skill that can be overwhelming to kids. This opens us up to a meaningful relationship with the water.

What do we mean by a deeper connection?

It means more than being comfortable on top of the water's surface. It's about being relaxed in the water, free from anxiety. It's knowing how to float whenever you want or need to. A deeper connection is moving with the water so that it's not a fight. It's not for the sake of competition or winning races, but can you swim for 25 metres with grace and ease?

We all know that swimming is important to learn. But there's another dimension of being in the water we believe today's kids could especially benefit from.

1. It leads to the experience of discovery.

The vestibular system is essentially, who we are in the space around us. It’s how we interact with everything and everyone in our environment. Going under the water gives us another dimension of who we are.

As we're growing, we can better understand our body by being in the water – how our arms and legs, our head moves about. When we learn to swim, the unique sensory experience water offers, allows kids to explore this in a way land cannot replicate.

And we think it goes deeper.

We’re all so unique. The water is the perfect playground to move around in such a free way. Being under the surface, we're hidden from the world. It becomes a safe space to explore and be silly, without fear of judgement. Kids can be themselves in the water. We love that water can gift this to all kids, no matter their skills and abilities. Water is the great equaliser. It’s a really special place!

2. It encourages creativity.

The water can be an incredibly creative environment. It taps into the innate creativity of kids, offering them a space where they can let their imaginations run wild. In the water, there's no instruments, tech or toys required! It's them, their bodies, and the water. Encouraging play in our program, we love what swimming coach Laurie Lawrence says about this – "the water is the toy".

3. There's a pure sense of joy under there.

When we're suspended in the water, we feel a sense of freedom that soothes and brings a smile. The water becomes a nurturing embrace, supporting us as we play, float, chat, swim. We're certain we've not seen a single child learn how to do a duck dive into the pool without a huge grin on their face.

4. Learning to swim is learning wonder.

We’ve got to learn to respect and move with the water. When we’re taught this we're instinctually able to experience that beautiful sense of wonder in the water. From wild to calm, deep blue, grey days to calmer, sparkling sapphire days. If you understand the water, you’re more likely able to surrender to it and let your mind wander. Cue the wonder!

We help create a sense of this in those early levels of our program. When we’re teaching kids how to float, and we first let go, they naturally assume they’ll sink. In that very first moment of when they realise they’re not sinking, but being held by the water – when we see their faces, that’s actual wonder.

"WHAT I’m FLOATING! The water actually holds me!"

They’re amazed.

There’s so many lessons in life in that moment right there, isn’t there? Are they learning to let go? Building resilience? Learning to self-trust?

This is the wonder of creating a deeper connection with the water, when the how we learn to swim, is as important as why we learn in the first place.

Why should you go with a learn to swim program that supports this holistic approach?

It's simple. Swimming is not just a skill; it's an opportunity to connect kids to a space where, over a lifetime they’ll feel safe, supported, grounded.

They'll have a tool that generously refills their cup with joy. The water will be a respite from the digital world that dominates their daily lives.

Swimming offers movement, fun, creativity, expression, and wonder. We think these qualities are increasingly vital in a world yearning for balance and connection.

Sea you in the water!
x Sasha

The post 4 reasons why HOW you learn to swim is as important as why you learn in the first place. appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

The most obvious reason for swimming lessons: the physical benefits.

Swimming is a low-impact exercise that's gentle on the body. Providing a full-body work-out, it can improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle tone and strength, and enhance flexibility and mobility.

Having your child touch, kick, move their arms, splash and glide through water activates sensory systems that don't easily get activated on land, helping kids to boost their brain development, their body awareness, balance, co-ordination, and attention.

And if that's not enough, swimming can help your brain grow, by creating a tactile environment that facilitates communication, feedback and modulation from one side of the brain to the other.

Swimming lessons can help alleviate asthma.

Swimming is also a great form of exercise for children with asthma as it's a low-impact activity that doesn't put a lot of strain on the lungs. The humid environment in the pool is thought to also help to reduce symptoms, as it keeps the airways moist and relaxed. Additionally, swimming can improve lung capacity and fitness, which can ultimately reduce the severity of asthma.

Chlorinated pools can be problematic though – some studies suggest a link between asthma symptoms and the by-products of chlorine pools. We've made the switch from a chlorinated pool at In The Deep to an AOP water purification system, which combines the power of UV and ozone to create the ultimate soft, clean, hygienic and odour free water. Our pool now uses the same technology as bottled water, removing all toxic chlorine by-products from the environment. We can breathe easier knowing that kids aren't being exposed to harmful chemicals.

The benefits to our mind, feelings and relationships – with ourselves and others.

Swimming lessons can have a positive impact on a child's mental health. Have you ever noticed how calm you feel in and around water? When you've learnt to relax in the water, swimming becomes rhythmic and soothing. Activating the part of our body's nervous system called the parasympathetic state, known as rest and digest, it tells your body it's safe to relax, promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being. The more our bodies are in this state, the more it can help to reduce the physical and emotional symptoms of stress and anxiety.

This explains our collective love for beachside holidays!

Swimming lessons can help kids learn mindfulness.

Mindfulness is almost like an extra skill we unknowingly develop while learning to become aware of and control the timing of our breathing. In swimming, we need to focus on breath control and maintaining a steady rhythm to swim efficiently. As we follow the black line, we're present and paying attention to how our strokes feel, the rhythm of our kicking and breathing. This helps kids develop awareness, and a greater sense of calm and focus.

Swimming lessons can help children develop positive relationships and social skills, too.

Lessons provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere that encourages kids to interact with each other. They learn how to work as a team, take turns, and share in their experience. Water provides a unique environment for children to feel free to express themselves. Being in and around water can bring a feeling of joy and fun that's hard to replicate in other settings. Read more about why we place so much emphasis on fun in our lessons; a core value we take oh-so-seriously!

Swimming requires discipline, perseverance, and commitment.

Children learn to set goals, work hard, and strive to achieve them. These skills can translate into other areas of a child's life, such as academics, sports, and personal relationships.

Swimming lessons can also help to build independence, confidence, and self-esteem in children.

When we celebrate the achievements along the way in our swimming journey, we're also boosting a child's self-esteem and confidence, helping them find their independence and setting their future selves up for greater success. They learn to trust themselves and their abilities.

Swimming provides kids with a unique opportunity to develop physical, psychological, emotional, and behavioural skills and attributes that can benefit them for a lifetime, far beyond water safety and survival skills. So, what are you waiting for? Make a splash, sea you in the water?

x Sasha

The post Making a Splash: The Surprising Ways Swimming Lessons Benefit Kids Beyond the Pool appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

The ideal of a strong swimmer is inherently ingrained in our collective conscious, isn't it? It's this ideal that can rob our kids of a positive relationship with swimming though. And when Sydney's beautiful Eastern Suburbs are your backyard, who doesn't want to be able to pass down their love of water to their kids?! It's a rite of passage!

If you want your child to feel comfortable in the water though, we need to begin by slowing everything down.

Before we swim comfortably in the water, we must float!

Our philosophy here at In The Deep is to slow kids down. By doing this, they get to experience the wonder of this new world, and find themselves at ease when they're learning to swim. Before we add movement, we want to ensure the foundations are in place. We want kids to feel safe, and to physically understand and feel their buoyancy. It's the difference between a child gliding gracefully through the water, and fighting it the whole way to the wall.

Learning to float is the key ingredient to a child learning how to feel comfortable in the water. Skip this step at your own peril. They'll miss out on learning to simply relax in the water, to be free to play and explore without having to swim strokes or find the nearest wall or adult. This is the stage where kids can discover that the water can be their happy place, their new best friend. To rush into strokes is a missed opportunity. It takes away their ability to simply be still in the water, without the need to go anywhere.

Floating completely alters the relationship a child has to the water; one where they're able to feel comfortable. If a child doesn't know how to float, they'll instinctively panic and fight the water. They'll sink.

We place a lot of emphasis on floating to help a child become more comfortable in the water. In our learn to swim program, we teach a back float with a glide early on, so we move a child through the water at the same time. A lot of programs will teach a kind of starfish move where you're required to remain still. Floating on your back when you don't trust the water, is a vulnerable position to be in. So by adding movement, they're feeling something; it feels more supportive. When you're first starting out, this makes a huge difference. Being able to feel where you are in the water helps kids learn to trust it's supportiveness much earlier.
 

TIP #1

Try encouraging your child to hold their breath, look at the floor face down in the water and gently, slowly let them go. Counting is a clear aim for them to feel safe in. Count to five to start with, and then progress to ten! Always have your arms available to grab onto. This can be a big confidence builder.

Consistency and repetition create the space for trust.

Learning to swim can cause anxiety. Especially when kids don't know what to expect. It could be the experience of having a different teacher, or they get held differently. Or instructions aren't described with consistency. To reduce anxiety, we need to eliminate as much change as possible. What do we do to relieve these unknowns? We have a lesson plan. Our teachers are trained to teach the same thing. They use the same key words for every activity, they hold the child the same way. There's so much consistency and repetition built in to our program. And it shows: kids start to feel more comfortable because they know what to expect and they practice. Our approach helps them to build trust with the water and their abilities.
 

TIP #2

Keep things simple and repeat small steps a lot of times. Slow them down. Repeat things over and over until they’re comfortable and become familiar. Try doing something you know they’re comfortable with, and after a few turns, encourage them to take another step, eg. float longer, on their own, swim longer, further.

Mary Poppins was right. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!

One of the best ways we can help children feel more at ease is to meet them on their level. In our classes we use creative language and imagery that ignites their imaginations. We know that kids can easily tense up in a pool environment. It's a large body of water and there's generally a lot going on in and out of the pool. The more fun, humorous and playful we are, the more likely we'll see tension dissolve. Getting them out of their head and into their body, frees them up to learn and relax!
 

TIP #3

When you notice your child is holding tension in the water, try getting them to imagine they're a jellyfish. Do it along with them to shake off those nerves and release the tension. This is a great opportunity to encourage fun and practice getting your child to feel comfortable in the water.

 
Are they still yet to place their head under the water? Read this article for extra tips.
 

For your child to feel comfortable in the water, your style of guidance matters too.

Teachers that know how to build courage in kids are also vital. In our interviewing process, we look for compassionate people. It's a fine line we tread. We want teachers who are empathetic to a child's fears, but will also — lovingly, kindly — push them outside their comfort zone. If we didn't, we'd be holding back their progress because of our own fear. Swimming is a complex skill that does takes courage along the way. By being both kind and firm, we end up empowering kids to become more comfortable in the water. The courage they discover within themselves, by doing things they're afraid to do is a beautiful magic that unfolds over time.
 

TIP #4

A little bit of love, swims a long way. Try to challenge your child to step outside of their comfort zone, whilst being supportive and assuring them that you've got their back. Be a master of persuasion and celebrate every small win! Don’t give up when kids say no, they really just need to know they’ll be ok and that you’ll be there to help them.

Go slow to go further!

We put so much pressure on ourselves and everyone around us, which ends up starving us of the beauty in the journey. Learning to become comfortable in the water is a worthwhile pursuit for a lifetime of joy, by and in the water.

What's the best thing we can do to help a child feel comfortable in the water?

Slow the process down, have them learn to enjoy the feel of the water. It helps them build trust before they start to swim and do strokes. Take this approach and you'll most likely help them fall in love with one of the most precious gifts we have as humans – the water is all we need! The second-best thing? Start as soon as possible to secure a big win for your kids!

Sea you in the water! Sasha x

The post Want your child to feel comfortable in water? Here’s how. appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

In last month’s article I explored how teaching kids to swim holds a lot of key lessons in leading my team. Here, I share another five lessons on leadership I've learnt in my two decades of teaching kids to swim.

6. Fun is the best motivator

This one is obvious; we all need to have fun! And kids especially so. Would you rather...

A; show up to a class where the teacher says, "ok kids, we're doing our freestyle arms under the board, and away you go". ?

B; A teacher guides you into a fun, imaginary place? Your arms become aeroplanes, hands the tail, we have to check that the passengers (your fingers) have their seatbelts on by shaking our hand, and then we land our plane. Sometimes if we're lucky, we're flying to Fiji! ?? The kids think we're completely silly, but they always have a smile on their face and they always swim better.

When faced with a challenge kids can talk themselves into giving up, feeling bored by the monotony of the black line, finding the teacher frustrating because it’s too hard. From going under the water for the first time, to swimming your first 25 metres of butterfly, we need a little story to get us through.

And the same goes for adults. I want my team to feel a sense of joy when they walk in the door, too. I admire Virgin CEO, Richard Branson's love for fun that makes his brand so approachable. I'm sure there's a place for corporate settings, but I don't think people thrive in that kind of environment. We're discovering that more and more.

If leaders are taking us on a journey to somewhere, it's more likely to be successful, if we place trust in our team and have a little – or a lot – of fun along the way!

7. Give space

When we're learning something new, we all need and appreciate space. Recently, I was doing some backing vocals for a local band. When I suddenly missed a note, the lead singer would turn around straight away and give me a dirty look. I thought, wow! Give me a chance to work it out!

We all need a safe space to work things out for ourselves. Failing leads to learning. I think it's very easy to forget to have patience with ourselves, and each other. Our culture still rewards productivity and the appearance of perfectionism. We need to give kids a chance to have a go, and do something poorly. Sometimes we need to let go and let them have a flop. In leadership, we need to not be afraid of the mistakes, too. If it means someone can learn from the experience, in their own time, they become stronger.

8. Control the chaos

I've learnt so much from Laurie Lawrence. He's had a big impact on many swim teachers in Australia, including myself. I've much respect for the way he's always in control of his classes. He has mastered a fine balance between authority and fun. Kids respond to his authority via the expectations he sets, yet they have fun, and love him at the same time.

When I see a new teacher with no control over their kids behaviour in the water, you know it's not a fun environment to be in. It's chaotic, disruptive, there's more tears and anxiety. Learning leadership skills can help you to be more firm with boundaries, showing you care, just as much as emphasising fun. I'm always aiming to find that balance in leadership with my team too.

9. Take responsibility

This one is quite the bug-bear for me. When kids aren't getting what you're teaching them, it's not their fault. It's yours! ? It's on us to communicate better. You need to meet them in their world and make it easier to understand. It's *always* the teachers fault.

Kids learn at different speeds and levels, but they should always learn something successfully. They should all be able to do basic things. When they're struggling to get it, I always look to the way the teacher is communicating.

The same can be said for leadership. If I'm not seeing the results I want, it's on me to find a way to communicate my needs in a way that is understandable.

10. Show you care

When I'm in the water teaching kids I make it a point to call kids by their name, praise them for something they did individually, point out something they can work on, tailor a story to their preference for Superman over Finding Nemo. By the end of the lesson, I want them to feel seen, understood and empowered. They know I care.

I've seen when teachers don't do this, and I wonder, do kids become better when we don't do these things? Do they feel invisible or like they don't matter? That's when I think back to my favourite teachers growing up. They were the ones who took a special interest in me, encouraged me, gave me feedback, made me feel seen. I want kids to have that same experience in their swimming lessons. With learning leadership skills I now know I need my team to feel that too – we all thrive when people care about us and want to see us improve.

What can building leadership skills propel you towards?

When I examine the idea of a being a leader, I ask myself, what am I leading people towards? I think about how swimming can make an impact on the life of a child.

It may not be glamorous, nor even valued by society, but it lights me up to think I help empower kids to overcome their fears, when they're often vulnerable, voiceless, powerless in the world they're growing up in.

I'm not a mum, I don't have kids, but I so value what children bring to the world. In a way, not having the opportunity to have children of my own and being the director of a place of learning, has led me to value what they bring to the world, even more so. We need their curiosity, keen sense of play, sensitivity, determination and big hearts. And it takes a community to raise them. There's a lot of things calling for our attention in the world, whether it be environmental, health, social or other issues. What good practice it is for kids to tap into their inner strength that learning to swim can be a conduit for.

It's easy for my team and I to get stuck in the day-to-day. Ultimately though, if we can help make a positive impact to a child's resiliency and capacity for joy and imagination, I feel like I'm leading with purpose, far beyond the life-saving skills of teaching kids to swim. Learning leadership skills can take you further, together.

Leading people to something that's bigger than any of us, to changing the world — even in some small and positive way – that's everything right there, isn't it?

Sea you in the water!
x Sasha

The post Five MORE lessons about leadership I’ve learnt from teaching kids to swim. appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

Communication and confidence are skills that kids push you to develop because they’re a tough audience – they’re hard to win over, and will be distracted. You’re compelled to engage with them on their level and help them overcome their fears. If you can master a classroom in the water, those well-honed (and increasingly rare) soft skills will help you land your dream–gig! Although you may fall in love with the water, and want to stay, #lovemyjob!

Teaching kids has in turn, transformed my career into leading a team of incredible teachers. I'm constantly wondering how I can do better as a leader. I want to make people feel supported, and ensure they're capturing the vision I have for our community. Much like teaching the small to swim, good leadership comes down to communication, having confidence in your vision and giving people the time to learn and build their skills. Here I share some lessons on leadership I've learnt from two decades of teaching kids to swim…

1. Have the humility to keep learning.

Leadership begins with us leading ourselves. If you can carry yourself through life with curiosity, humility and grace and approach your work with a beginners mindset, and you're always in that space of learning and absorbing, you have the foundations of being a good leader. What does a leader do, but take you on a journey. I'm always looking for that quality in potential teachers; trusting of the way we approach the swimming journey and the humility and capacity to keep learning.

I like to think of both leadership and swimming being similar to the complexities of jazz – there's a lot of knowledge and technique to be mastered, but once you have those in your pocket, that's when the magic of creativity and freedom happens.

2. Don't give up.

I'm met with resistance when we reassess a progression in the program and decide to make a change. It's generally because the kids aren't given enough space to learn something new. I see some teachers after two sessions wanting to revert their lesson plan. But, when the resistance arises, it's my natural instinct to refuse to give up. Maybe it's a Gen X trait, like no, I'm gonna prove you wrong?! But it's also about keeping the faith and seeing a vision through. After three to four sessions, all of a sudden we hit a breakthrough with kids we're teaching the change to. It reminds me to never give up on your people. I would encourage you to persevere, because you'll get the gold if you do.

I've seen kids who are the worst kickers in the world. Their legs are like little washing machines, whirling around all crazy. And then two years later, after employing our technique "tickle toes" they're absolutely beautiful at kicking. Kids need time to grasp what they're learning and little steps of repetition.

A little love swims a long way. And isn't that true of all of us, no matter where we are in our journey?

I've also had shy, introverted team members who blossom into their roles and become successful team leaders. Empowering others can lead them to where they never thought they could go, and how beautiful is that! Just keep swimming!

3. Set your standards high.

I've found that if I focus on the strongest swimmer in my class, the weaker swimmers will step up. I'm not sure if there's something to that – perhaps it's inherently human nature. We want to be the best we can, and we do this by witnessing what's possible.

Weaker students can see what it looks like to do something well. They'll set about meeting the standard, even if it takes them a little longer. It's the same in leadership.

4. One thing at a time.

Much like the progressions we teach in our lessons, my leadership approach to onboarding new teachers is to bit by bit, guide them into their role. We want kids to become independent in swimming a whole lap of the pool. Eventually they'll be able to do this autonomously without instructions. But we don't want to overwhelm them by trying to teach them the complexities of kicking, buoyancy, breathing, movement all at once. This is bound to make kids feel disempowered.

Our program is structured around doing these things step by step which leads to far more relaxed and graceful swimmers. One thing at a time empowers teachers to get great results, using great tools and knowledge we lead them to. Teaching our teachers this way means they become better leaders for the kids they teach, too.

5. Reward what you want, ignore what you don't.

One of the toughest parts of being a teacher is behaviour management. In a perfect world, every child will listen and do exactly what they're asked to do. This is one of those leadership skills we learn and develop because disruptive behaviour can derail a class. Being a successful leader means creating a calm and in control environment.

The majority of behaviour issues we see in our lessons stem from young kids who're wanting your attention. In my lessons I've found it best not to give it to them. If however, they do something incredible in the lesson, I'll go over the top in celebrating what they did. I'll shower them in attention, signalling that good behaviour goes a long way. And kids light up.

In the past I've become frustrated with team members, and have tended to focus on all the little things they're doing wrong. But now – and it's always something I need to be aware of – I try to remind myself that when I focus on what the kids do well, they do more of that. The same approach works successfully leading my teachers.

Make sure when a team member does something really great, to reward them with encouragement, high fives and gratitude. Getting frustrated just drags everyone down. It's a lesson in empathy and patience. You can get the best from people if you set boundaries and celebrate the actions you want and let go of those you don't.

Being a leader has stretched me beyond anything I could imagine.

What has helped me to become effective is the valuable insights and soft-skills I've learnt from teaching kids to swim. It’s an incredibly rewarding role, empowering a child to overcome their fears, so they can find joy and ease in the water. If you’re looking for work that will all but guarantee self-growth, head to our careers page and consider applying.

Stay tuna-ed for next month's follow up, where I share even more leadership lessons from the pool!

Sea you in the water!
x Sasha

The post Five lessons about leadership I’ve learnt from teaching kids to swim. appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

How we teach kids to overcome the fear of going under the water.

Swimming without going under the water is a big mistake. Until you fully immerse yourself in water, there's a barrier holding you back from experiencing it's wonders.

We see this with kids who've yet to put their face under the water. Kids know it's supposed to be fun, but there's also apprehension and fear. It's evident even if they've been relying on floatation devices to keep them propped above it. This isn't swimming. Until you go under the water, you're missing out on the joy of being free. Of learning to trust it, keeping a barrier between you and the water in place.

That obstacle is clear in adults that swim while keeping their head always above the surface. Not having had the opportunity to learn how to embrace the water, they've developed a fearful, nervous relationship to it.

It's most likely at a young age when we experience something with the water that reinforces that fear. It may be an anxious parent, experiencing a new environment, a lack of access, or an accidental inhaling of water at home, in the pool or at the beach. Most kids relate putting their head under the water with a scary or uncomfortable memory.

Yet, going under the water changes everything.

This wasn't always our thinking at In The Deep. Over the span of twenty years, we've realised if you don't focus on kids going under the water, both time and money is wasted.

Early on, like most of the swimming industry, our focus was all about propulsion. We were teaching dog paddle, a style where you had to get yourself to a wall or teacher quick! It became about the strength of your propulsion that got you there.

But kids lack the proprioception skills to be able to feel where they're positioned in the water. Some don't have the physical strength to keep their head above the surface.

Dog paddle teaches kids to not relax. It teaches them to frantically move towards something in the water they can hold on to. This isn't safe, nor is it relaxing.

We embraced a new method of teaching inspired by the US-based, Hubbard Family Swim School. They showed us kids could experience learning to swim and learn to find ease in the water whilst doing so.

Rather than focus on propulsion, children learn to relax with their face in the water. Once we're over the biggest obstacle, we teach them to roll over and float. We've seen so many children blossom when we teach with this philosophy in mind. It's beautiful to see kids at ease in the water without any fear.

The beginnings of this beautiful relationship with the water comes with facing one of the biggest obstacles in learning to swim, going under the water!

Because kids can be a little scared and distrusting, we're careful to ensure they don't have another bad experience inhaling water.

One thing we discourage is "blowing bubbles". As soon as you're exhaling your air, the natural reaction is to inhale.

We begin with what we call Pufferfish Face. We take a big breath and puff our cheeks up. That teaches kids to hold their breath. They don't end up inhaling, because they're busy holding their breath.

Depending on their stage of confidence we do this out of the water, and use a cup to pour water gently over their face. We then move to putting their mouths in the water. They still feel safe because their eyes aren't also submerged. This we call being a hippo. We try to make it fun, pretending we're little hippos or crocodiles. Kids respond well in a play-based learning environment.

We then use our verbal cue, "1, 2, 3, under!" to go fully under, eyes and ears submerged. Putting your face in the water, we've now graduated to being a fish!

It's inevitable we're met with resistance along the way.

We try to gently guide them to explore beneath the surface. Going under the water is the biggest obstacle kids need to overcome. For this reason we take it slowly depending on where their confidence is at.

It also takes commitment and reinforcement. They'll resist, sure. However much they push back, we find we're most successful if we don't give them an opportunity to bail out. If you're there supporting them, championing them through the process, the result is an empowered child who has overcome their fear. How incredible is that?!

You can help this along at home, too.

If you're working with a swim school, you'll want to check with them to see what their verbal trigger is for going under the water. Or you can use ours if you're yet to enrol in lessons: "1, 2, 3, under!"

That verbal cue helps prepare them mentally for going under the water. We suggest getting in the shower and trying Pufferfish Face and using the cue to duck under the shower. You could do it in a bath with a cup too.

Whatever you do, do it in incremental steps and make it fun! Turn it into a game. Do it three times, and get a big high five, or read them their favourite story!

If your child is frightened, teaching them to relax and be calm around bathing time is the best thing you can do.

Our method works for most extreme cases, too.

We've had kids who've tried on and off for years. We'll have them going under the water before you know it. By building their confidence and with very clear, slow steps, we encouragingly push them out of their comfort zone. All with a lot of love of course! We want to empower them to overcome their fears.

Once they move beyond this obstacle, they fall in love with it.

It becomes a different world for them.

You know the drill. Once they're under, they never get out. Thank goodness they need to breathe, we'd never see them again! The weightlessness of the water makes swimming so much fun for kids. We like to think it's how adults would experience being in space for the first time. They can do crazy and fun things, all supported by this incredible element!

They can do headstands, they can dive under. They can do 50 summersaults in a row without breaking a sweat! Where else can you just jump into something, knowing you aren't going to hurt yourself (unless of course, it's an intentional belly flop!).

Embracing the water is such a sensory celebration.

The beautiful thing about going under the water and then finding your buoyancy to float, is that you learn to trust it. The water can be a scary place, a place of trauma, until you learn to let go. When you surrender to it, knowing it'll have your back, it becomes the most fun place to be in the world!

Sea you in the water!
x Sasha

The post Going under this thing called water. appeared first on In The Deep | Swim School | Eastern Suburbs | Sydney.

It's no secret that at In The Deep we love to create relaxed little swimmers with graceful stroke and technique. We don't want to just rush them through a program; we want to help them fall in love with the water and the sport of swimming. We want them to feel incredible in the water, no matter their ability. And with the complexity of swimming, this takes time. I'm always finding opportunities to simplify our program so it fits with this ethos, and I realised our fins levels were creating results from an overbearing lesson plan load.

“After a year's worth of expansion, trialling, testing and re-educating teachers, we're ready to reveal our refreshed program!”

We're expanding our Fins levels to create more opportunities for kids to uncover what their special swimming power is, create time to put into practice and explore the techniques they've worked hard to develop, and add in new activities that'll bring more fun-times and good-vibes! It'll relieve our teachers of program overwhelm, too. Win-win!

“Levels Purple and Blue 01 are now Purple, Green and Blue Fins — Stroke Foundations
”

“Levels Blue 02 and Green are now Silver and Gold Wings — Stroke Development”

In a nutshell, we're:

• Adding freestyle overarms into the program earlier
• Adding in a new level to create some space for the kids to swim and explore their techniques
• Creating a more easeful time for kids joining us halfway through their swimming journey
• Adding a new ribbon that recognises the importance of body position in the water
• Starting breaststroke kick a lot earlier for the kids that struggle with this
• Adding a new ribbon for Butterfly kick, because how could there not be?!
• Cutting out some more advanced drills that were leading to too many of these faces: ? ? ? ? ? ?

Introducing overarms sooner, with an In The Deep approach.

We never did overarms with young kids. It's the decoration in swimming – we're more concerned with the foundational skills of getting their body position in the water working first, before introducing overarms. (Read more on why, here). What I do get, though, is kids want to use their arms – to them, it's big-kids swimming. I think sometimes my obsession with body position has taken away that little element of fun that both kids and parents love to see; so we're introducing it into the program a little earlier.

It'll be an isolated activity that they do — with an In The Deep approach, it'll involve a lot of reaching and kicking, it'll take skill and control – there'll be no flapping arms, swinging out of the water! With purpose and challenge, it'll be a wonderful ribbon to achieve.

A ribbon for body position.

This is the whole foundation of swimming and if you bypass this one skill, you'll never find flow and ease in the water. One of our core beliefs deserves a ribbon, no?! I also want the teachers to understand how valuable it is.

A more easy time for kids joining us half-way through their swimming journey.

Because we're now adding freestyle arms earlier to the program, it'll especially help these kids who are in an unfamiliar environment. In the past we were asking kids to go back to focus only on foundational skills, which created frustration and lowered their self-confidence. They've arrived at our school having done laps of haphazard, stressful freestyle with poor technique which can be really heartbreaking; but understandably, they want to do big-kid swimming, so we don't want to dishearten these children.

We're adding in more activities that kids associate with swimming earlier, to help them feel that they're doing great and still achieving, whilst we help them course-correct. We'll have more time in Fins to explore their foundations so that once they're in Wings, they'll be ready to develop their strokes with the grace and ease we're looking for.

It's not going to be as hard – because there was so many drills and it was just go, go, go – now that we're creating more space it's not going to be as difficult for new kids to work things out. They'll have more time for practice, and more recognisable activities will help them feel like they're moving forward and achieving.

Expect more flow, less stagnation.

Kids should be able to flow with more ease through the updated program, getting less stuck in a level. They'll have more time to grasp what they're doing, to explore their abilities better.

With the expansion of the levels, there'll also be more time for fun – we think kids will bring home more beaming faces from their lessons! They'll be receiving more ribbons and that's always fun, right?!

There's also going to more opportunities for kids to find something they're good at in the program. We've really made a conscious choice to help children feel like they're achieving more and that they're good at swimming.

Teachers that are more empowered to do their work, well.

The teachers too will hopefully have a more enjoyable experience teaching; there'll be less frustration in trying to get through a chock-full lesson plan – the previous program had kids getting left too far behind, creating less confident teachers. It was quite a stressful 30 minutes trying to get through everything on the lesson plan, with no room for play. They'll have more freedom to explore activities with the kids that'll help manage their energy, too.

We're simplifying things so that new teachers coming into the school are able to pick up skills of a higher standard, more quickly. I find that the teachers who are highly trained, become better skilled and get better results for their kids do generally stay longer. I'm hoping that by simplifying and reducing the 'rush' in those thirty minutes, we'll see more engaged, positive teachers who better empower our kids to achieve.

Oh and um more fun please!

My intention was to empower my teachers, to empower the kids so that they have more fun. We've gotten really creative to do that and the end result is creating more ease for the whole In The Deep community. I'm sure I'll tweak things again, but I'm realising that things don't have to stay the same forever; that fear of change is not a good enough reason not to change and innovate. To release things and go for it, and assess along the way.

What I really want to see from this change to the program is more fun. When you walk into In The Deep, what makes it special is you see little kids giggling and having fun; I think this will take it to a whole new level!

We're implementing the new program from March 1st.

Your name colour and level may change, but that doesn't mean you need to worry. Kids will be in their rightful class. You don't have to do anything – we'll be reassessing all the kids before the change-over happens and notifying you if there's a change to your child's level. We can't wait to introduce these changes to the kids!

All of the new ribbons and level descriptions will soon be available in-depth on our Parent Portal, Helpscout and website.

Sea you in the water!
x Sasha

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