One of the secrets behind the Swim Fins Program, designed by our owner, is that our coaches are taught how to recognize the different learning styles of each student and how to adapt their swimming program to fit the learning style that works best for their students. By adjusting the method of teaching to each student’s needs, their chances of improving and retaining what they learn increase by leaps and bounds.
At Swim Fins, we categorize swimmers into 3 main learning styles - visual, auditory and kinesthetic. While each person inevitably uses a combination of all three in different situations, in our experience, most children learning how to swim tend to favor one of the three learning styles over the others.
Visual Learners
You know you have a visual learner when they seem to pick up new material after watching someone demonstrate what they need to do. Visual learners tend to have very good observational skills and tend to think in terms of images.
Here are some ways our coaches can identify visual learners:
They tend to not want to go first.
They want to see a demonstration before they try the new skill for themselves.
They remember what they read instead of what they hear.
They learn well by looking at visual aids (such as illustrations, pictures, videos, notes, or charts).
They appear to not understand verbal instructions as well as visual instructions.
They do better with visual cues and reminders instead of verbal cues and reminders.
Auditory Learners
Auditory learners learn best by engaging their sense of hearing. Explaining concepts clearly to them is the best way to get them to understand and remember what they’re being taught. Auditory learners tend to have good listening skills and learn best by listening and verbally engaging with their peers and instructors.
Here are some ways our coaches can identify auditory learners:
They tend to talk to themselves while learning something new.
They tend to ask a lot of questions.
They enjoy having discussions.
They may have trouble with written instructions.
They may be talkative with peers and instructors.
They often repeat back new instructions.
Kinesthetic learners
Kinesthetic learners “learn by doing”. They are able to understand and remember new material by trying the activity or skill themselves instead of listening or watching it be done. Kinesthetic learners tend to develop good muscle memory. Kinesthetic learners tend to appear like they aren’t paying attention to verbal or visual instructions and seem antsy to try the new skill themselves before you’re even done explaining how to do it! The saying “practice makes perfect” really applies best to this kind of learner.
Here are some ways our coaches can identify kinesthetic learners:
They might “talk with their hands” a lot.
They appear to not be paying attention to demonstrations or verbal instructions.
They may be constantly fidgeting or have trouble staying still.
They like to touch things to learn about them.
They may like to take apart toys to understand them.
At Swim Fins, we’ve learned that there is no one size fits all approach to teaching children how to swim. Everyone has their own way of learning and understanding HOW your child learns best is half of the journey to setting your child up for success in their swim lessons.
For more information on our programs, how to register, and much more, head over to our website! We currently have lessons year round at our pools in Richmond, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. Come swim with Swim Fins: https://www.swimfins.ca/register