Many parents reach out to us with the same concern: “My child is afraid of the water. Can swim lessons still work for them?” The answer is yes, and we specialize in helping nervous swimmers feel safe, supported, and successful. At Swim Lessons with Mary, we believe in building water confidence through trust, patience, and one-on-one attention. Here’s how we do it:

Starting with Trust

We never force progress. Instead, we start with small, positive experiences that help each swimmer feel comfortable. Sometimes that means sitting on the pool steps or simply playing with water toys on the edge of the pool. That’s okay! Building trust comes first. Working at your child's pace helps them feel more in control and allows them to build better rapport with their instructor.

Private Lessons Make a Big Difference

Our 30-minute private lessons are completely customized to your child’s pace, skill level, and comfort level. With lessons being just your swimmer and the instructor, we can adapt in the moment, reduce distractions, and focus entirely on what helps them feel calm and confident. Every lesson can look completely different, and that is the beauty of taking 1-1 lessons!

Celebrating Small Wins

We cheer for every milestone, no matter how big or small. Whether your swimmer blows their first bubbles, floats with support, or simply feels brave enough to leave the pool steps, each step forward is a big deal. When swimmers are nervous, it can take a lot of courage to try skills that may appear simple to others. This is why each new accomplishment deserves a big celebration!

Focusing on Progress, Not Pressure

Every child learns differently. That’s why our goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Over time, those small steps build strong swimmers who feel proud, capable, and safe in the water. While we often get asked: "How many lessons will it take for my child to learn to swim?" The answer is not quite so straightforward. Truthfully, everyone learns at a different pace! Factors like the swimmer's age, developmental milestones, fear level, current swim experience, learning style, and more can all play a role in how many lessons it will take for them to learn how to swim and be fully capable of self-rescuing. We always encourage parents to try out an 8-pack of lessons. Sometimes 8 lessons are all a swimmer needs, but by lesson 5 or 6 your instructor will be able to provide feedback letting you know if they recommend your swimmer takes additional lessons to reach important safety goals.

Keeping Parents Involved

After each lesson, your instructor will share how things went and offer tips for reinforcing skills at home. When kids feel supported by their grown-ups, it boosts their confidence in the water too. The bigger of a cheerleader you can be, both on and off the pool deck, the more empowered your child will feel!

Why Fall & Winter Can Be the Perfect Time to Start

Many parents don’t realize that cooler months are a great time to begin swim lessons, especially for nervous swimmers. Pools are often less crowded during fall and winter, creating a quieter, more relaxed environment. Fewer distractions and more availability make it easier for kids to focus, feel calm, and make steady progress. Plus, starting now builds skills and confidence well before summer swim season.

Ready to Help Your Swimmer Build Confidence?

If your child is nervous about swim lessons, we’d love to work with them! With a supportive environment and custom tailored 1-1 teaching, Swim Lessons with Mary helps turn worry into water confidence.