Sweetum
06-11-2012, 11:32 PM
We (actually me) are having a very frustrating experience with DS' swimming. this was his 6th class today and we've been having some trouble with getting the same instructor every week. In fact this is the 6th instructor! This pool has a spl needs program where they do 1-on-1 sessions for kids with spl needs. I think it's great! But not so much if the instructor changes every week. So, I complained and now we have one instructor assigned to us. Last week was our first session with him and this week he is on vacation! frustrating but I am willing to trudge it out - I have already paid for this month.
Anyways, the issue now is with DS I think - granted he is spl needs, but it is next to impossible for him to pay attention to what the instructor is saying. He just goes off on his own, starts to sink and the instructor gets him. It is cycle and keep going on. The insturctors use floatation devices - donuts, float noodle (they tie it around DS) or the dumbell. DS does not let them put the donut or tie the noodle. He just won't keep his arms over the dumbell. Won't kick when they ask him to, won't get it when they are doing hand over hand. He just goes there, tries to go off on his own, sinks and gets saved. there is no learning happening at any point. It is very frustrating for me to watch and I keep thinking it's a good thing I'm not the instructor having to deal with DS! How is he ever going to get it if he never ever pays attention or is willing to learn? He doesn't get that he is there to learn. am I expecting too much? I know he is capable of learning, but I don't know how to motivate him when I am not the instructor. I am unable to have a few minutes with the instrucotrs to let them know what might work, but then they all have spl needs training! I swim, but I am not a swimming instructor, so I don't wnat to interfere with their teaching. I yelled at DS in the car that he won't go back if he doesn't listen to his teacher, stay with his teacher or allow the teacher to put a float on him. I made him (quite unsuccessfully) repeat all these. I told him that we won't go back if he does not follow these three. We won't be back till next week same time, and I am not sure if I should continue drilling these into him. Are there any other ways? I don't want to give up swimming since it's just about the only activity that he is doing - he won't do any other activity., and now he is not even in school, and we are yet to start his therapy programs. Can I do something at home other than yell and be frustrated???
Also, they do this thing where they get the kid to jump into the water. DS just walks in and think he is doing fine since the instructor always catches him. The instructor repeatedly tells him to jump up high, but he won't do it. We know that he does not jump even without water, so, I need advice to teach him to jump in general. Any ideas? I am thinking I could teach him to jump off a step and ask him to do the same at the pool.
As I am writing this, I am feeling that DS is probably not ready, but again, I don;t want to stop the activity. so, any advice other than stopping would be great :) thank you....
Anyways, the issue now is with DS I think - granted he is spl needs, but it is next to impossible for him to pay attention to what the instructor is saying. He just goes off on his own, starts to sink and the instructor gets him. It is cycle and keep going on. The insturctors use floatation devices - donuts, float noodle (they tie it around DS) or the dumbell. DS does not let them put the donut or tie the noodle. He just won't keep his arms over the dumbell. Won't kick when they ask him to, won't get it when they are doing hand over hand. He just goes there, tries to go off on his own, sinks and gets saved. there is no learning happening at any point. It is very frustrating for me to watch and I keep thinking it's a good thing I'm not the instructor having to deal with DS! How is he ever going to get it if he never ever pays attention or is willing to learn? He doesn't get that he is there to learn. am I expecting too much? I know he is capable of learning, but I don't know how to motivate him when I am not the instructor. I am unable to have a few minutes with the instrucotrs to let them know what might work, but then they all have spl needs training! I swim, but I am not a swimming instructor, so I don't wnat to interfere with their teaching. I yelled at DS in the car that he won't go back if he doesn't listen to his teacher, stay with his teacher or allow the teacher to put a float on him. I made him (quite unsuccessfully) repeat all these. I told him that we won't go back if he does not follow these three. We won't be back till next week same time, and I am not sure if I should continue drilling these into him. Are there any other ways? I don't want to give up swimming since it's just about the only activity that he is doing - he won't do any other activity., and now he is not even in school, and we are yet to start his therapy programs. Can I do something at home other than yell and be frustrated???
Also, they do this thing where they get the kid to jump into the water. DS just walks in and think he is doing fine since the instructor always catches him. The instructor repeatedly tells him to jump up high, but he won't do it. We know that he does not jump even without water, so, I need advice to teach him to jump in general. Any ideas? I am thinking I could teach him to jump off a step and ask him to do the same at the pool.
As I am writing this, I am feeling that DS is probably not ready, but again, I don;t want to stop the activity. so, any advice other than stopping would be great :) thank you....