Parent and tot swimming lessons
Benefits of parent and tot lessons
- Parents and guardians learn how to keep their child safe in aquatic settings.
- Children develop water-positive attitudes and become comfortable in water environments.
- Reduce fear of water.
- Increase motor skills.
- Heart and lung development.
- Gain some independence with parental supervision.
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2024 spring & summer registration dates
Registration for spring & summer swimming lessons, lifesaving and first-aid certification courses is open.
We are adding more swimming lesson times and dates at Southland Leisure Centre, Village Leisure Centre and Glenmore Aquatic Centre.
- Today - Schedules can be previewed online
- June 6 - Registration begins
Upcoming facility closures
Programs, classes and swimming lessons will not be offered at the following facilities while they undergo repairs:
- Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre: closed this spring and summer.
- Canyon Meadows Aquatic & Fitness Centre: closed this summer.
- Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre: closed this summer.
Types of parent and tot lessons
You can register online, in person at our Recreation facilities, or by calling 403-268-3800 (option 1).
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An opportunity for parents and children to enjoy in-water interaction in a fun and social setting, focusing on the importance of play and developing water positive attitudes
Age: 6 - 24 months + Adult
Prerequisite: None
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Parents help toddlers learn basic water safety, including assisted entries and exits. Children learn how to get their face wet, blow bubbles, float and kick.
Ages: 6 months - 3 years + Adult
Prerequisite: None
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Under the watchful eye of a parent and instructor, your child explores safely getting in and out of the water, as well as going under and floating.
Age: 12 months - 3 years
Prerequisite: Swim for Life® - Parent & Tot 1
About our swim instructors
Our instructors have Bronze Cross or higher certification. They are qualified to teach and evaluate Swim for Life® programs, Canadian Swim Patrol, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross.
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What are lessons like?
Parents and tots can expect to play in the water and learn to enter and exit safely. Play is important for developing postive views of aquatic settings.
Parent & Tot lessons have up to 10 swimmers per class. Our swimming lessons typically contain five to eight classes, depending on scheduling. The length of each class varies depending on scheduling requirements and the typical age of the swimmers participating in each lesson level.
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Come prepared
All participants must wear swim wear and bring a towel. Swim goggles are optional.
All children 35 months and under must wear plastic pants over their swim diapers. If you don’t have plastic pants, they can be purchased at the pool.
All other required equipment and lifejackets are provided. Lifeguard on duty on pool deck.
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More swimming lessons
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Preschoolers learn to enter and exit shallow water safely and gain comfort with floats and back glides while wearing lifejackets.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
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Swim programs designed to challenge endurance and help develop swimming strokes and skills for those that can already swim independently.
Ages: 6 - 17 years
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Swim programs for beginners who want to gain confidence in the water or improve their technique and endurance while learning to swim.
Ages: 13 + years
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A customized, one-on-one swim program designed to focus on specific goals and for individuals who require additional support.
Ages: 3+ years.
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Become a lifeguard or swim instructor by taking Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Lifesaving/Swim for Life® Instructor and Standard First Aid courses.
Ages: 8+ years