Find the right swim stage for you!
All age groups are taught the same skills but divided according to their developmental milestones. Answer a few simple questions on our Lesson Selector to find the swim stage most appropriate for you!
Swim lessons at the Y focus on learning vital water safety skills and stroke development through a progressive swim lesson curriculum. Swimmers develop self-esteem while creating positive experiences that last a lifetime.
Preschool Swim Lessons
This progressive program teaches kids ages 3 to 5 water adjustment, basic swimming competency, and benchmark skills. Preschool students can progress through four stages of classes.
Browse Preschool Lesson Options Below
- Age: 3-5 years
- Class length: 30 minutes
- Qualification: None needed. This class is for kids who aren’t yet comfortable going under water voluntarily.
- Skills Practiced:
○ Bob to submerge in water
○ Front and back glide to the wall for 5 feet with no help
○ Front and back float for 10 seconds with help
○ Roll from back to front and front to back with help
○ Jump, push, turn, grab with help
○ Swim, float, swim 10 feet with help
○ Exit the water
Preschoolers develop comfort with underwater exploration and are introduced to basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.
- Age: 3-5 years
- Class length: 30 minutes
- Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 1 skills.
- Skills Practiced:
○ Submerge to look at an object on the bottom of the pool
○ Front and back glide to the wall for 5 feet
○ Front and back float for 10 seconds
○ Roll from back to front and front to back
○ Jump, push, turn, grab
○ Swim, float, swim 5 yards
○ Tread water near the wall for 10 seconds
○ Exit the water
Preschoolers focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water, while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into water.
- Age: 3-5 years
- Class length: 30 minutes
- Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 2 skills.
- Skills Practiced:
○ Retrieve an object in chest-deep water
○ Swim on front and back for 10 yards
○ Roll from back to front and front to back
○ Jump, push, turn, grab 10 yards
○ Swim, float, swim 15 yards
○ Tread water for 30 seconds
○ Exit the water
Preschoolers learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages. The class also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm/leg action.
- Age: 3-5 years
- Class length: 40 minutes
- Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 3 skills.
- Skills Practiced:
○ Swim the front crawl with rotary breathing for 15 yards
○ Breaststroke kick for 15 yards
○ Butterfly kick for 15 yards
○ Elementary backstroke for 15 yards
○ Dive from a sitting position
○ Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for one minute
○ Swim any combination of strokes for 25 yards
Having mastered the fundamentals, preschoolers learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique.
Private & Semi Private Swim Lessons
Our private swim lessons have been modified with your safety and personal goals in mind! Private lessons are currently offered at select Gateway Region YMCA locations.