To expect my dd's swimming teacher to listen to my views??

[Squiffie]

DD started swimming lessons last week. I had concerns about her wearing armbands/rings as she's 2 and quite tiny even the 'flat' rings take up half her arm and don't really stay on! The teacher was fab - she said as I was in the water with her there was no need for bands and offers use of a noodle/woggle which dd loved!

Anyway this week we had an arrogant male teacher (who apparently is her actual teacher) who I insisted she wear the armbands or else I could find her another lesson to attend! I tried to explain that the previous week she had not had them and he refused to budge on the matter (dh was in the water so gave in) and basically said it was his way or not at all! He said he needed to wear the armbands because he had more control that way, although not entirely sure what he meant by that :/

Am I being unreasonable to expect my dd (and every child in the class - 6 of them) to be treated as individuals according to their needs rather than what the swimming teacher needs?

[DamnBamboo]

If you want that, then you need to pay for private lessons I'm afraid.
The reality of it is, if anything happens under his care he is responsible and so it's not unreasonable of him to ask for this really.

[fluffypillow]

I can't see how he can be held responsible if it's a session where a parent is in the water with them. Surely he can advise, but not insist?

I think he sounds like a control freak.

YANBU

[edam]

I'm afraid there are six children in the class so no, your dd doesn't get individual treatment. The teacher can't cater for every parent's request x 6. You can try to explain to the teacher why you think the armbands are a bad idea for your child, but that's it, really.

[edam]

and if you don't like the teacher, find another class.

[SamSmalaidh]

What on earth is the point of a swimming lesson for a 2 year old?

[MMMarmite]

I don't know the precise set up of the class (how many adults per kid? did they all have parents in the water?), but ultimately I think it's his decision. He is responsible for the safety of the 6 kids, and has to use his own training and judgement rather than whatever the parent thinks. Just because the first instructor felt comfortable waiving the usual rules, doesn't mean they all have to.

But if the rules don't work for your daughter, you would not be unreasonable to leave and go elsewhere.

[DamnBamboo]

Of course he can insist. He is the instructor, has presumably instructed many children (unless he's new) and probably has a good idea as to what should be done.

If you don't like him, then move.

[MMMarmite]

"he had more control that way, although not entirely sure what he meant by that :/" You make it sound like he's just doing it because he's putting his desire for control first. But remember, control is vital in a potentially dangerous situation, so his being in control is ultimately for the safety of everyone.

[CSIJanner]

My 4 year old and 11month old both swim without armbands or woggles (the baby has me as the arm bands/back float whilst being taught but she can swim underwater and up, holding onto the side). If you're in the pool with your LO and feel comfortable, then you shouldn't need more than a woggle in the pool for a swimming lesson. Both of mine started swimming lessons before they were 5months old and by 2, my eldest was swimming, sometimes with or without woggle on their own. I suggest you change the teacher or move to a shared private lesson (2 child = half the price) to avoid this. I understand why the teacher said this - whilst he's off teaching other children. On deeper water, it means your childis afloat but I'm with you - I don't understand why he's insisting on this if you're in the pool with your child.

[Sugarice]

Yes you are being unreasonable, he's the teacher.

Find someone who you like.

[Squiffie]

All kids in the pool have a parent with them. I wish it was as easy as just finding another lesson but they are few and far between most with waiting lists of 18 months plus. He doesn't 'teach' anything, he doesn't even lead - no games, no songs, nothing! I want to keep her there as it gives a pathway to the main lessons when she's a little older. My 4 year old ds attends his lesson straight after and loves it! His teacher is completely different - the kids have swim aids in line with what they are comfortable with (armbands, woggle, nothing) and there are no adults in the water! I'm not asking for her to be completely without floats just to be allowed an alternative.

Those people who think 'his class, his rules' how would you feel if this was applied in the same way in schools? Teachers are required by law to differentiate their lessons in order to meet the needs of each child in their class. One size does not fit all especially where the size if bloody armbands is concerned

[Casserole]

His lesson, he gets to run it how he likes.
If you don't like it, you switch.
Simples.

[Casserole]

ps if swimming lessons for a 2 year old create these problems, good luck with school

[yellowsubmarine53]

Yes, teachers in schools are required to differentiate their lessons but some basic safety rules apply to everyone.

OP hasn't said anything about the actual teaching, so we have no information that he wasn't differentiating according to swimming ability.

[Casserole]

School teachers are required to differentiate in order to meet the needs of the child, not to facilitate the personal preferences of their parents.

[complexnumber]

"Those people who think 'his class, his rules' how would you feel if this was applied in the same way in schools? Teachers are required by law to differentiate their lessons in order to meet the needs of each child in their class"

But teachers are not required to teach according to how a parent sees fit.

[MerylStrop]

It really doesn't matter. Were I you I would just take her swimming myself and just have her name on the list for the swimming lessons at a more appropriate age.

It is in No Way Possible comparable to school, where there is a whole lot more adherence to rules for common good than differentiation according to preferences.

[DearPrudence]

I don't see the point of swimming lessons for a 2 year old either. Just take her swimming a lot.

Group lessons didn't suit my DS (when he was 5), so I switched him to private lessons.

[Squiffie]

I don't see how you can be any more 'safe' than having your mum or dad with you. He wasn't differentiating in any way - neither on swimming ability nor preference. I was asking to take her needs into consideration considering she couldn't move her arms with the armbands on.

[SilasGreenback]

I would move her because all the teachers my dc had thought arm bands were a bad idea as they stopped them being able to actually move their arms and swim.

Lessons at that age with a parent per child used to use a woggle/float/nothing depending on what they were learning and how happy the child was - some would hold onto a float and kick, some still needed their parents to hold them.

[Squiffie]

See this is what I experienced with ds but we've moved house since then!

[Floggingmolly]

No games, no songs, nothing!
You do have huge expectations of a swimming class, tbh. Maybe stick with playgroups till she's a bit older?

[HollaAtMeBaby]

What is a woggle?

I can't decide whether you're BU, can see both sides... why don't you just teach your DD to swim in the baby pool while your DS is having his lesson? I can't imagine what a 2yo will actually learn in a lesson. I have taught children to swim, there's no amazing secret to it. I'm sure she could still join the 4yo swimming classes when she's old enough, it's not like going into the final year of a physics degree course...

[MerylStrop]

Look, clearly this just isn't the class for you.

Find another.

Easy peasy.