Children's Swim

Fall 2009 Registration
Fall 2009 Class Schedule
Swimming Levels
Parent's Handbook

WELCOME TO THE CHILDREN'S SWIM PROGRAM

The Barnard College Children's Swim Program offers American Red Cross Courses Levels I through V and IPAP (Infant/Preschool Aquatic Program). All classes take place on either Saturday or Sunday. There are no summer classes offered.

Spring 2010 Registration

Current Students (must be enrolled in Fall 2009 session):

• Friday, January 22, 2010, 4:00 - 6:00 PM

New Students:

• Sunday, January 24, 2010, 1:00-3:00 PM
  

Registration takes place in person at the Physical Education Office, Room 206 Barnard Hall (117th & Broadway; 1/9 train to 116th Street).

Payment Information:
Payment is due at the time of registration. The cost per student is $130. (This fee is non-refundable.) Both cash and checks are accepted. Please make checks payable to Barnard College.

Students Enrolled in Fall 2009:
Currently enrolled students do not need a new doctor's note to participate in the Spring 2010 classes; however, any changes in medical information should be noted on the registration form in the space provided.

Students NOT Enrolled in Fall 2009:
Students who are new to the program, or who did not participate in classes this semester must hand in a doctor's note with their registration for Spring 2010 classes. Notes must be received at the time of registration and will not be taken by fax or mail. If you are not sure which class is appropriate for your child, please bring him or her with a swimming suit to registration; we will be happy to test your child for class placement.

You must bring the following items with you to registration:
All new students must submit a current doctor's note from the child's pediatrician stating that your child is in good health to take swimming lessons, non-refundable check for $130.00 (per child) made payable to Barnard College.

All classes take place in the Barnard College Pool. We regret that the pool is not available to students or parents outside of class.

Spring 2010 Class Schedule

Swimming Levels

These descriptions give a brief overview of our skill classes. Children will learn and develop fundamental swimming skills. Our goal is to teach children about safety and swimming. Swimming skills will be reviewed and reinforced through games and fun activities in the water.

Parent and Child Aquatics
The primary goal of this course is water adjustment and exploration. Parents will learn to aid their children in the beginning stage of the swimming progression. Skills include: entering the water, face submerging, supported floats, and bubble blowing. Parents must accompany their child in the water.
Age: 1-3 years
Times: Sat 10:20-10:50 AM & 12:10-12:40 PM
Sun 10:20-10:50 AM & 12:10-12:40 PM
Note: A Parent must accompany the child in the water.

Level I - Water Exploration
Children learn elementary aquatic skills unaided by their parents. Skills include: submerging, supported floating, entering the water, and blowing bubbles.
Age: 4-year minimum
Times: Sat 9:40-10:10 AM 10:20-10:50 AM, 11:40-12:10 PM
Sun 9:00-9:30 AM, 9:40-10:10 AM, 10:20-10:50 AM & 11:00-11:30 AM

Level II - Primary Skills
Children will review their Level I skills and begin to swim more independently. Skills include: unsupported floats, kicking, bob, unassisted turning over from front to back and unsupported combined swimming movements.
Age: Need to complete all skills in level I
Times: Sat 9:40-10:10 AM, 11-11:30 AM & 11:40-12:10 PM
Sun 9:40-10:10 AM, 11-11:30 AM

Level III - Stroke Readiness
Children will learn to coordinate front crawl with an emphasis on rhythmic breathing, back crawl, elementary backstroke, treading water, retrieving objects, and entering deep water.
Age: Complete level II
Times: Sat & Sun 11-11:40AM, 11:40 AM-12:20 PM

Level IV - Stroke Development
Children will be doing the front crawl, the back crawl, and elementary backstrokes for longer distances. Breaststroke and sidestroke will be introduced.
Age: Complete level III and feel comfortable in deep water
Times: Sat 10:10-10:50 AM
Sun 10:10-10:50 AM

Level V - Stroke Refinement
This course builds endurance and introduces lap swimming while refining previous skills. The entire breaststroke and sidestroke is taught. Dolphin kicks, open turns and rescue skills are introduced.
Age: Complete level IV
Times: Sun, 12:10 AM-12:40 PM

Parent's Handbook

CLICK HERE (PDF, 64 KB) to download the Parent's Handbook in printer-friendly PDF format.

Welcome & Introduction

Barnard College is pleased that your family has chosen our aquatic program. Your decision to provide your children with early and frequent aquatic experiences is a gift that will last a lifetime and provide infinite rewards.

The Barnard College Children's Learn to Swim Program follows the American Red Cross Swim Program. We offer Parent and Child Aquatics as wells as Swim Levels I - V.

Our class format permits class sizes of between 4 and 8 students per class, depending on the class level and the number of instructors. We encourage our students to have fun in the water and often play games geared towards learning specific skills, and we emphasize the development of a trusting relationship between parents, students, and instructors.

A swim session lasts for 7 weeks and each class is approximately 30 minutes long. Our instructors are Barnard and Columbia students with American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certifications. At the end of the seven sessions the students will receive a certificate if they have completed all the skills in a level. We use methods that encourage voluntary skills - we will never force a child in any level to perform a skill with which he or she is uncomfortable. Please note that children will progress at varying paces and that not all children in a session will acquire all of the skills. It is common for children to repeat a skill level before mastering the required skills.

We make a concerted effort to group children in classes by both age and skill level within a class level, but due the large number of students and limited class space, this is not always possible. If you are unsure of your child's skill level, please feel free to ask one of our instructors to place him or her during registration.

We anticipate that you will play a vital role in this program. A successful program relies on parents who are dedicated, enthusiastic and conscientious. Your positive attitude will encourage your child to excel!

We're Glad You Asked

What is Parent and Child Aquatics?
The Parent and Child Aquatics Class is a swim program designed specifically for children between the ages of 6 months and five years. Typically, Parent and Child students are between the ages of 1-3 years. (The minimum age requirement for Level I is four years.) IPAP classes require that a parent or trusted adult participate. Please note that the Parent and Child Aquatics class is NOT designed to teach children to swim or survive in water on their own - it will provide a positive aquatic experience which will orient your child to movement in the water.

What equipment do you use in the water?
All Level I classes make use of "bubbles," both for safety and to orient students to independent movement in the water. Otherwise, it depends on the skill being taught and the needs of the children. The most common "tools" include barbells, water toys, diving rings, fins and kick boards.

What should I do if my child does not want to participate or perform a particular skill?
Do not force your child to participate. Allow the instructor or the coordinator to encourage your child during class time. Encourage your child to practice the skill with which they are comfortable and allow him or her to watch class from the pool deck. Young children may be easily overwhelmed by the water, noise and surroundings, but usually become accustomed to the class with encouragement from their instructors.

Please feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. The program coordinators will be happy to assist you.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Be Prompt
• Know the Facility
• Follow Rules & Regulations
• Be Attentive
• Attend Every Class
• Set an Example
• Have Patience
• Give Praise
• HAVE FUN!

BASIC RULES & REGUATIONS:

• No Refunds
• No Make-up Classes
• No Disposable Diapers in the Pool - Use a SWIM DIAPER ONLY
• No parents on Pool Deck - You are welcome to watch from the balcony
• Children Age 6 and Over MUST use same-gender locker rooms
• A Doctor's Note is Required for All Fall Students and for All New Spring Students

Who's Who

Aquatics Director:
Luci Rosalia
Barnard College
Contact at: 212.854.6940