Communicating Swim Goals with Parents

Introduction

At Penguin Swim School, we believe swimming is more than just a skill—it’s a life-saving ability that builds confidence, discipline, and lifelong enjoyment of the water. For children to succeed, parents and swimming instructors must work together with clear communication.

When parents understand their child’s swimming goals, progress, and challenges, they can provide the right encouragement and support. This partnership between instructor and parent helps create a positive, motivating environment that benefits the child’s learning journey.

In this article, we’ll explore why communicating swim goals with parents is so important, how to do it effectively, and the best strategies to keep everyone engaged and motivated.

Why Communicating Swim Goals Matters

Swimming lessons are not just about jumping into the pool and learning a few strokes. Each child has unique needs, abilities, and goals. Open communication between instructors and parents ensures that:

• Expectations are realistic – Parents understand what progress looks like for their child’s age and ability.

• Children stay motivated – With encouragement at home, children feel supported in their lessons.

• Challenges are addressed early – If a child struggles with a skill, parents can work with instructors to find solutions.

• Progress is celebrated – Small achievements are recognised, boosting the child’s confidence.

Common Swim Goals for Children

Before diving into communication strategies, it’s helpful to understand the types of goals parents and instructors often discuss. These may include:

1. Water Confidence – Helping children feel safe and happy in the water.

2. Basic Water Safety Skills – Floating, safe entry and exit, and learning to hold their breath.

3. Learning to Swim Strokes – Introducing front crawl, breaststroke, and backstroke.

4. Endurance and Technique – Swimming longer distances with proper form.

5. Advanced Skills – Diving, treading water, or preparing for competitive swimming.

Every child progresses differently. Clear communication helps parents understand that swimming is a journey, not a race.

Challenges Parents Often Face

Sometimes, parents may feel frustrated if their child’s progress seems slow. They may compare their child with others in the same class. Common concerns include:

• “Why isn’t my child moving up to the next level yet?”

• “She can swim fine in shallow water, why can’t she do it in deep water?”

• “He’s scared of putting his face in the water—shouldn’t he have overcome that by now?”

These concerns are natural. The role of the instructor is to reassure parents, explain progress in clear terms, and highlight that every child develops at their own pace.

Strategies for Effective Communication with Parents

1. Set Clear Expectations from the Start

At Penguin Swim School, we always explain the structure of our swim programmes at the beginning. By outlining how skills are taught step by step, parents understand that progress is gradual.

2. Provide Regular Feedback

Rather than waiting until the end of a term, share short updates after each lesson or every few weeks. This can include:

• What the child did well.

• What skills they’re working on.

• Tips for practising at home (e.g., blowing bubbles in the bath).

3. Use Simple, Positive Language

Avoid technical jargon. Instead of saying, “She needs to improve her bilateral breathing,” say, “We’re helping her breathe on both sides while swimming front crawl.”

4. Celebrate Small Wins

Parents love hearing about achievements, no matter how small. “Today, he put his whole face in the water without hesitation” may not seem big, but for that child, it’s a huge step.

5. Involve Parents in Goal Setting

Ask parents what they want their child to achieve. Maybe it’s water confidence before a holiday, or stamina for school swimming lessons. Aligning goals helps build trust and keeps parents engaged.

6. Be Honest About Challenges

If a child is struggling with a particular skill, don’t avoid the topic. Explain the challenge, but also share a plan for improvement. This reassures parents that you’re actively supporting their child.

The Role of Progress Reports

Many swim schools, including Penguin Swim School, use progress reports to show parents where their child stands. These can include:

• Skills mastered.

• Skills in progress.

• Areas to focus on next.

Written or digital reports provide a clear record of achievement and make it easier for parents to track improvement over time.

Using Technology to Improve Communication

Modern swim schools often use apps, emails, or online platforms to keep parents updated. Benefits include:

• Instant access to progress updates.

• Notifications about upcoming lessons.

• Videos showing correct technique.

This digital approach makes communication convenient and accessible, especially for busy families.

Encouraging Parents to Support at Home

Parents play a huge role in reinforcing swimming skills. Encourage them to:

• Visit the pool with their child outside lesson time.

• Practise simple skills like floating, kicking, or blowing bubbles.

• Stay positive and patient, avoiding pressure or comparisons.

When parents actively support at home, children progress faster and feel more confident.

Building a Strong Partnership Between Parents and Instructors

The best swimming progress happens when parents and instructors work as a team. At Penguin Swim School, we focus on:

• Respectful, open conversations.

• Listening to parent concerns.

• Providing encouragement and guidance.

• Fostering a positive, supportive environment.

This partnership ensures the child feels supported both in and out of the pool.

Conclusion

Communicating swim goals with parents is about more than giving updates—it’s about building trust, setting realistic expectations, and celebrating every step of progress. At Penguin Swim School, we believe that when parents and instructors work together, children thrive in their swimming journey.

By setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and encouraging home support, we create an environment where every child can succeed. After all, swimming is not just about learning strokes—it’s about building confidence, safety, and a lifelong love of the water