SF_Bear_Paddle_Profile_0222_Profile 2 / 17 / 22 9 : 48 AM Page 1 profile Just Keep Swimming Lessons from Yet , while Bear Paddle absolutely recognizes the EING IN AND AROUND WATER SHOULD BE reassurance that swim lessons give parents , it’s the ONE OF THE MOST NATURAL THINGS TO Bear Paddle children who come first . Keeping them engaged and BHUMANS — after all , we’re surrounded by fluid confident is what makes the difference in their in the womb . The older children get without some Swim School progress , and Bear Paddle’s lessons are fun and exposure to being in water , the more likely they are to build children’s interactive . develop an aversion to it , possibly presenting issues at Stoltman says lessons follow a storyline and bath time or showing discomfort with water getting in water safety monthly themes are incorporated through decor , their ears in a pool , for example . skills in a fun costumes and imagery . Looking out into the pool , The right swim program can reconnect your child with parents will commonly see the swim instructors the natural joy of being in the water . Using evidence - based environment . singing with the children or offering playful , splashy methods , Bear Paddle Swim School , a nationally recognized high - fives . “ The kids love it but even more so , we love leader in swim lessons , puts progress front and center in its by LIZ HUNTER to celebrate with them and build them up . In many program , ensuring students safely achieve key milestones before cases , the swim instructor is the child’s first interac - moving to the next level . tion with an adult outside of their family and it’s fun Director of Swim Operations , Caitlin Stoltman , says consistency is the to watch that relationship happen , ” she says . secret sauce at Bear Paddle , and skills are taught and reinforced weekly . But It’s not only high - fives that keep them going , before beginning , Bear Paddle Coaches ask families to discuss what they hope to accomplish though . Progress Patches are tangible rewards for their through the lessons . hard work . “ Every time they master a skill , they receive “ Some parents come to us to help their child get through bath time , some want them to learn a patch with the name of the skill and a paw print on it , ” how to safely float on their own without a floatation device , ” she says . “ We want a full understanding Stoltman says . “ Kids love getting their patches and of their goals and we will actually set a goal date that aligns with the skills they need to achieve . ” showcasing them on towels or sweatshirts . ” Bear Paddle is so confident in its program that it offers a unique promise : If they are unable As summer approaches , pool parties will to get your child to that goal by the selected date , they will offer up to six months of free lessons inevitably pop up on every family’s calendar , making to get them back on track . “ I don’t know other swim schools that are willing to do the next few months the perfect opportunity to that , ” she says . “ If we even notice a child starting to get off track , we’ll step develop these often life - saving skills . Bear Paddle in to course - correct with some extra lessons or one - on - one time . ” also offers summer clinics with daily , 30 - minute The curriculum builds on itself , says Stoltman . Children are lessons for two - week sessions . Stoltman says clinics placed in age - appropriate groups where they begin with founda - are a great option for children looking to build skills tional elements like blowing bubbles in the water , floating with quickly , and are an added value for existing students support and pulling themselves up on the side of the pool . who want to master skills . Plus , 90 % of kids who When every skill is not only achieved but also mastered , attend a clinic earn a Progress Patch . can children progress to the next stage . “ In a normal month , children have four , “ In the first level , they learn to float with the support 30 - minute lessons , but summer clinics are like of a floatation device and the teacher’s hands . Then accomplishing one month of lessons in one we slowly work on pulling the teacher’s hands week . Parents will definitely see more away , and once we master that , we remove progress from their children , but it’s the floatation . It gradually steps up , ” also a great way to keep them occu - Stoltman says . “ With the little ones , the pied in the summer , ” Stoltman says . focus is teaching them to naturally get Families are invited to visit Bear on their back to float in the water so they Paddle in Marlton or Turnersville know how to catch their breath , and that for a complimentary swim lesson . progresses into flipping from back to Different membership levels are stomach so they can propel them - available , all of which include Family selves to a wall and get out . ” For par - Swim , a free weekly open session for ents looking for more peace of mind around pools , families to swim together for skill these skills alone are invaluable . building or just for fun . ? Bear Paddle provides monthly report cards for each student , which include data gathered by the pool manager who gets into the water Bear Paddle Swim School with each child to review their under - standing of the skills they are working on . 515 Route 73 S . , Unit 170 B , Marlton “ The report card is a collaborative effort ( 856 ) 267 - 3131 between the manager and teacher to show 5901 Route 42 , Unit 3 , Turnersville what the child is doing well or not well , and ( 856 ) 373 - 5697 gives parents feedback on what they can work on , ” says Stoltman . BearPaddle.com SUBURBANFAMILYMAG.COM volume 12 issue 10 SUBURBAN FAMILY 27