Which One to Pick; Private Swimming Lessons Vs Group Lessons

The decision of whether to select private (1:1) or small group swimming lessons doesn’t always boil down to the cost implications, there’s more to consider when you are dealing with a child or adult who is really uncomfortable in the water.

Children or Adults Could be Uncomfortable in Water for Different Reasons:

1. Bad past experiences
2. Lack of exposure to water at an early age (0-3 years old)
3. Parents themselves are not at ease with water. There is extensive evidence confirming that parental water/aqua phobia can rub off on children.
4. Seeing someone struggle in the water. Over the years I have taught several children and adults who have had water-phobia. Although some of them never had a bad experience with water themselves, they had seen someone who had. This is especially true of children who have seen one of their parents get into difficulty whilst swimming in a deep part of a pool or sea and had to be rescued.

The benefit of Private Swim Lessons

Children who are timid can obviously benefit greatly from the closer individual teacher attention private lessons can provide, and that teacher can modify the lesson to suit the child and the pace of their learning.

Tailored lessons mean more efficiency and using the lesson time more effectively and they should equal to a better and faster progression. Private lessons are particularly effective at the beginning stages of learning to swim.

But, Private Lessons Are:

1. More Expensive. Private swimming lessons are more costly than group lessons because of the one-to-one ratio.

2. Less Sociable. Children who are sociable and enjoy being around other kids and have more advanced swimming skills sometimes find private lessons less stimulating – my own daughter does group lessons for exactly this reason

3. Lack of social interaction with peers. Doing sports with friends are motivational. So, 1:1 lessons may seem more like work than play for kids. There is no opportunity for children to watch their peers try and master skills, which could benefit some children.

4. Private lessons are more challenging for staying focused and engaged for the entire session.

Advantages of Small Group Lessons:

1. Less expensive than private lessons and they work well when conducted by a good and experienced swimming teacher who has control over the class and gets the best out of their pupils.

2. For confident children, group lessons can be a great source of socialising with their peers and learning through imitation and trying to match their friend’s achivements. Being part of a group is a source of fun and motivation, reduces the risk of boredom and dropping out of swimming.

Limitations of Group Lessons

The biggest frustration I often hear from parents talking about their experience of group lessons is that in a group, kids have less attention and are quite often left waiting by the side of the pool for some time before they are given some guidance and are allowed to actually do any swimming.

A good swim teacher should know how to teach the whole group, if numbers are not too large. That’s why at Blue Wave Swim School we only allow a maximum of 3 children in each group.

Also, in group lessons teachers should not be give each child only a few minutes of private lessons within a group setting. Having said that, in a group, a teacher cannot spend a great deal of time with just one child since that would have an effect on the provision of the lesson for the rest in the group.

Pick the Right Option For You

Small Group lessons are the most cost-efficient way for learning to swim and for many children who take pleasure from having fun in the water with other kids; they are a good choice. The social aspect of group lessons is a great motivator for children.

However, parents should bear in mind that while children normally will advance at an acceptable rate in group lessons with a good teacher, this option is best for parents who are less concerned with fast results and want their children to learn to love the water and interact with their peers.

Private lessons are a great choice for those children or adults who are unsure of water or may have had a traumatic experience with water and need to be introduced to water slowly. Or, for those who’s progression has been stagnated for a while.

Also, young children who are not psychologically ready to follow instructions for 30 minutes from a swim teacher or kids who may become easily distracted by other kids or need specialised direction and discipline would also benefit from private lessons.

Private lessons could also be the best option for those who have a specific goal in mind. Goals like boosting water confidence in time for summer holidays, or improving stroke performance for a swim team, and or preparing for swimming galas.

Enquire about Our Lessons