The Bottom Line
If you are looking for a way to teach your child to swim, the uSwim swim lesson program might be a great option for you. It is worth looking into the on-line swim lesson program (hey, it is free). If you like it and want to use the iPhone app, the initial download and first lesson is free, then there is a charge for future lessons. The uSwim swim lesson program looks like a good way for parents to teach swim lessons to their children.
Pros
- Good swim lesson progression
- Video shows exactly what to do
- Printable swim lesson plans with lists of needed supplies, lesson steps, and teaching hints
Cons
- Not a good fit for all parents - requires parent to be patient and relaxed in the water
- The iPhone App is a pay app after the first lesson in each level
- Suggested to get a waterproof case for your iPhone if you take it to the pool
Description
- On-line or iPhone App swim lessons, helps parents teach their children the basics of swimming and water safety
- Videos show everything needed to do to teach each lesson, printable lesson plans show steps, hints, and needed supplies
- Aimed at parents teaching their children, but the upper levels could be used by an adult to teach themselves in some cases
Guide Review - uSwim On-line Swim Lessons and iPhone App - Review
The uSwim on-line swim lesson program is a free, step by step series of swim lessons that can be used by parents to teach their children the basics of swimming. They also have an iPhone app for swim lessons, porting their on-line program to your iPhone; the iPhone App is a pay-per-lesson model - I don't own any iThings (gasp) that could use the iPhone app, but did look at the free portions of the swim lessons on a friend's iPhone and iPad, and it looked the same as the on-line version. The on-line version is 100% no-charge for all levels and lessons.
There are three levels in the swim lesson program. Each level has a series of swim lessons, each swim lesson building upon the previous one. Each lesson is made up of an introductory video, printable lesson plans, which both include instruction on how to teach the lesson and help you (and older students) visualize what they are trying to accomplish. When a lessons completed there is a certificate that can be printed and awarded to the swimmer.
uSwim Swim Lesson Levels and Skill Sessions
- Level 1 - Babies (4 months - 3 years old)
Conditioning
Front-float
Back-float
Submersions
Turning and Resurfacing
Safety Basics - Level 2 - Safety Fundamentals (over 3 years old)
Breath Control
Streamlined Float
Independent Back Float
Dog Paddling
Back Kicking
Safety Awareness - Level 3 - Stroke Development (over 3 years old)
Streamlined Kick
Beginner Freestyle
Pat the Dog
Freestyle Breathing
Backstroke
Freestyle
I don't own any iThings that could use the iPhone app, but did look at the free portions of the swim lessons on a friend's iPhone and iPad, and it looked the same as the free on-line version.
