By SwimEasy
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle
When you think of swimming lessons, you likely picture splashing water, goggles, and the echo of a pool hall. You probably don’t picture your living room rug or a family trip to the leisure centre on a Sunday afternoon.
At SwimEasy, we believe that learning to swim is about more than just the structured time spent in lessons. It is a discipline of the mind and body. While our instructors provide the expert guidance and the “spark,” the true “fire” of mastery is often kindled outside of class.
We call it Swimming Homework. It might sound counterintuitive and perhaps a little serious, but the philosophy behind it is the key to unlocking faster progress and cementing vital skills.
The Myth of the “Once-a-Week” Miracle
There is a philosophical concept known as the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve. It suggests that humans forget approximately 50% of new information within an hour of learning it, and up to 70% within 24 hours, unless they review or practice it.
If a child attends a 30-minute swimming lesson once a week and doesn’t think about swimming for the other 10,030 minutes of the week, they spend the first 10 minutes of their next lesson simply remembering what they did last time.
Homework bridges the gap. It keeps the neural pathways open. Whether practicing on dry land or playing in a pool, the child fights the forgetting curve. This means when they return to their SwimEasy instructor, they aren’t remembering; they are ready to advance.
Part 1: Dry Land “Homework” (Cementing the Mechanics)
You don’t always need water to practice technique. Removing the element of water can sometimes make it easier to focus on the pure mechanics of a movement without the distraction of staying afloat.
- The Mirror Technique (Visualisation): Have your child stand in front of a mirror to practice arm positions. Ancient Stoics and modern athletes alike use visualization to shape reality. Seeing their reflection helps correct asymmetry they might not feel in the water.
- Bed-Time Leg Kicks: Lying on the edge of the bed allows for perfect practice of a straight-leg flutter kick. This builds specific muscle memory for a “long leg” kick rather than a “bicycle kick.”
Part 2: The Playground of the Pool (Learning Through Teaching)
While dry-land drills are excellent for mechanics, nothing beats the feel of the water. However, we don’t suggest you try to replicate a strict lesson during a family swim. Instead, we encourage Play with Purpose.
The Roman philosopher Seneca famously said, “While we teach, we learn.”
This is one of the most effective ways to cement a skill: Ask your child to teach YOU.
Next time you are at the pool for a fun swim, flip the script. Tell your child that they are the expert for the next ten minutes. Ask them:
- “Can you show me how to do that ‘Streamline’ rocket shape you learned at SwimEasy?”
- “I bet I can’t kick as fast as you. Can you teach me how to make the water boil with my feet?”
- “What is the secret to blowing bubbles without getting water up your nose?”
By explaining the technique to you, they are forced to process the information deeply in their own brains. They transition from passive learners to active masters of the skill. Plus, it builds immense confidence to be the one “in charge” of Mum or Dad!
The Compound Effect of Consistency
Author Darren Hardy wrote about the Compound Effect—the idea that small, smart choices + consistency + time = radical difference.
A SwimEasy lesson provides the high-quality instruction. A fun family swim or 5 minutes of dry-land practice provides the “consistency.” Over a term, this leads to a “radical difference” in ability compared to peers who only swim during lesson time.
A Partnership for Success
At SwimEasy, we view swimming not just as a sport, but as a life skill that builds confidence, resilience, and discipline. By bringing a small amount of “homework”; whether on the rug or at the local pool, into your routine, you are teaching your child a valuable lesson: Mastery is built in the quiet moments of practice and the joy of play.
Ready to start your journey? Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your technique, our expert teachers are here to guide you. Contact SwimEasy today to book your lesson, and let’s turn practice into perfection.
“SwimEasy provides expert swimming lessons across Scotland, with multiple pools located in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Falkirk.”