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EasySwim is a household name in the Netherlands. For years, it's been the go-to name in innovative swim lesson methods. And with good reason: thousands of children have learned to swim safely, happily, and effectively with EasySwim. But did you know that Senor Swim and EasySwim work closely together?And that, as a parent, you benefit greatly from this partnership?

Why This Partnership is So Strong

Senor Swim was born from the same vision as EasySwim: teaching children to swim through play, with a focus on safety and fun. While EasySwim provides the methodology and swim schools, Senor Swim ensures that parents and children can also get started at home, on holiday, or at the local pool. With buoyancy suits, swim tools, and educational materials that align 100% with the EasySwim method.

Senor Swim = the Squla of Swimming Lessons

Just as Squla makes learning fun for schoolchildren, Senor Swim makes water confidence fun, safe, and effective for young swimmers. Our mission: to help every child feel confident and comfortable in the water – curious, happy, and full of trust.

• 🎓 Learning through play

• ✅ Fully aligned with the recognized EasySwim method

• 🌊 For use at home and as a supplement to swim lessons

The Power of the Buoyancy Suit

At Senor Swim, you’ll find the official EasySwim buoyancy suits (the FUN and PRO lines). These are the same suits used in EasySwim swim schools. The difference? At Senor Swim, you can order them directly for home use – including tips, exercises, and inspiration to get started right away.

Who is Senor Swim For?

• Parents with young children (from 3 years old)

• Families who want to practice swimming while on vacation

• Parents who want to prepare their child for swim lessons in a fun way

Together We Build a New Generation of Water-Confident Kids

Whether you're starting with water confidence or just beginning swim lessons: Senor Swim is your partner in the water. Thanks to our collaboration with EasySwim, you can be sure you're using a proven method – safe, playful, and effective.

Want to know more about EasySwim? Visit the official website: www.easyswim.com

Many parents wonder: Does my child need to be able to swim before starting swim lessons? The answer is no — but good preparation makes all the difference. Water familiarization is the first and most essential step in helping every child become a confident swimmer.

In this blog, you'll learn:

• what water familiarization really means,

• why it’s so important before swim lessons,

• and how to get started at home through play.

What Does Water Familiarization Mean?

Water familiarization is the process of helping young children feel safe and comfortable in the water — in a playful and relaxed way. It’s not about technique yet, but about confidence and comfort:

• Getting used to splashes on the face

• Opening eyes underwater

• Climbing in and out of the pool independently

• Floating and moving in the water without fear

Children who are familiar with water feel more at ease in a swimming environment — a crucial foundation for successful swim lessons.

Why Is Water Familiarization So Important?

A child who doesn’t feel comfortable in the water is often nervous or tense. This can slow down learning and lead to negative experiences. When you start with water familiarization before formal lessons:

• your child can focus on learning technique instead of managing fear

• your child feels stronger and more independent in the water

• the transition to actual swim lessons becomes smoother and more enjoyable

Swim instructors immediately recognize children who are water-confident: they’re relaxed, listen better, and progress more quickly.

How to Start Water Familiarization at Home

Even without a pool, there’s a lot you can do at home to help your child get comfortable in water:

• Bath time = play time – Let your child splash, blow bubbles, and look for toys under water.

• Practice with the shower – Let water run over their head and teach them to rinse their own face.

• Look under water together – Use swim goggles and make it a game.

• On holiday? Take a buoyancy suit! – Perfect for safe, free movement in the water.

At Senor Swim, we offer official EasySwim buoyancy suits designed exactly for these playful learning moments — whether at home, on vacation, or in the toddler pool.

Summary: Start Early, Build Confidence

Water familiarization isn’t a luxury — it’s the best investment in a safe and positive swim journey. You don’t have to be a swim coach to help your child: patience, play and a little courage are all it takes.

Want to Learn More?

EasySwim Method

Pediatric Physiotherapy – Development and Water

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As a parent, you naturally want your child to learn to swim safely. But how do you know when it's the right time to start swim lessons? Not every child is ready at the same age — it depends on their development, confidence, and previous water experiences.

In this blog, we’ll provide clear signs, practical tips, and advice on how to best prepare your child for a successful start.

What is a good age to start?

In the Netherlands, most children start swimming lessons between ages 4 and 6. But age is just one factor. Some children are confident in water by age three, while others need more time — sometimes until age seven.

It's better to look at development than age alone.

Signs your child is ready for swim lessons

• Your child is likely ready for swimming lessons if they:

• Are comfortable in water: not afraid of splashes or getting wet

• Can listen and follow instructions

• Show some independence in group situations

• Have basic motor skills to follow simple movements

• Are motivated (“I want to learn to swim!”)

Still unsure? Ask your child how they feel about swimming. Children who are curious and associate water with fun are usually more relaxed during their first lessons.

How can you prepare your child?

You don't have to wait for the first swimming lesson to get started. In fact, a bit of preparation can speed up the learning process.

Here’s how you can help:

• Play in the bath or under the shower: practice getting their face wet

• Swim together during holidays or at the local pool

• Use a buoyancy suit to support movement and floatation

• Talk about swim lessons and how fun it will be (“You get to splash and play!”)

At Senor Swim, we’ve got everything you need to get started at home — from official EasySwim buoyancy suits to helpful tips via our blog.

What if my child isn’t ready yet?

No worries. Every child develops at their own pace. If your child shows resistance or fear, it’s okay to wait a little longer or start with water familiarization. Keeping the experience positive helps build long-term water confidence.

Conclusion

Your child is ready for swimming lessons when they are comfortable in the water, understand basic instructions, are motivated to learn, and show some level of independence. By preparing your child in a playful and gentle way before starting formal lessons, you set them up for a positive and safe swim experience. Learning to swim becomes not just educational, but fun too.

Learn more

Explore our EasySwim buoyancy suits for a strong start

Also read: [What is water familiarization and why is it important?]

Kind en Gezin – tips on learning to swim (NL)

VeiligheidNL – swimming and safety (NL)

When you take a young child into the water, safety comes first. That’s why many parents search online for the “best swimming aid” for their child. But what’s truly safe? And what helps your child most in learning how to swim?

In this blog, we compare the most common swimming aids for toddlers, explain their pros and cons, and recommend which type fits best at each stage of development.

Arm Floaties

Pros:

• Widely available

• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Restricts arm movement

• Can slip off or deflate

• Encourages an unnatural swimming position

Summary: Suitable for short play moments under supervision, but not ideal for learning to swim.

Swim Vests with Back Support / Float Seats

Pros:

• Supports torso and arms

• Comfortable to wear

Cons:

• Limits self-initiated movement

• Child "hangs" in the water without engaging muscles

Summary: Great for recreational splashing, less effective for active swim development.

Buoyancy Swimsuits (e.g. EasySwim)

Pros:

• Promotes a natural horizontal body position

• Full freedom of movement

• Adjustable buoyancy (removable floats)

• Encourages active participation from the child

Cons:

• More expensive than basic floaties

Summary: Best option for children aged 3 and up who want to actively learn to swim. Used in professional programs like EasySwim.

What’s the Safest Option?

The safest swimming aid is the one that best matches your child's developmental stage, motor skills, and learning needs. A buoyancy swimsuit offers the ideal combination of safety and freedom of movement.

Important: No swimming aid replaces the active supervision of an adult.

If you want your child to be not only safe but also truly learn how to swim, a buoyancy swimsuit is the best choice. It encourages movement and builds confidence in the water. Floaties and inflatable toys are fun but offer little support for real swim progress.

The first swimming lesson can be an exciting moment – both for your child and for you as a parent. So how do you make sure that first step goes smoothly? In this blog, we share practical tips to help you prepare your child mentally, physically, and playfully for swim class.

Why Preparation Matters

A well-prepared start helps:

• Reduce your child's stress or fear

• Accelerate progress in the water

• Make lessons more enjoyable

1. Talk About It Early

Explain calmly what swim lessons are like. Use positive language:“You’ll learn to float, splash, look underwater... and maybe even wear goggles!”

Tip: read a book together about learning to swim.

2. Practice Water Familiarization at Home

Water familiarization is the foundation. Let your child:

• Blow bubbles in the bath

• Pour water over their own head

• Retrieve toys underwater (in the bath or kiddie pool)

Goal: build confidence in and with water.

3. Use a Buoyancy Suit

An EasySwim buoyancy suit provides support while allowing full freedom of movement. It's ideal for practicing during holidays, in the pool, or even in a shallow paddling pool.

4. Visit the Pool Together (Before the First Lesson)

Take a pre-visit to the swim school location:

• What does it look like?

• Where do you change clothes?

• Where will you be sitting as a parent?

This way, your child knows what to expect.

5. Make it Fun and Build Confidence

Let your child pick their own towel, flip-flops or swim bag. Involving them in the preparation helps them feel confident and in control. A good preparation is key to a positive first swimming experience. By practicing playfully, communicating openly, and giving your child a sense of autonomy, you create the ideal foundation for both water fun and swim skills.

Online learning is now part of everyday life – and that also applies to swimming! But what exactly is an online swimming method? And why are more and more parents choosing it as a supplement or preparation for swim lessons?

In this blog, we highlight the benefits of the Senor Swim Academy, our very own online swimming method. It helps boost confidence, prepare children, and even improve their progress in the water.

What is an Online Swimming Method?

An online swimming method is a digital learning platform where parents and children can practice water confidence, basic techniques, and swimming skills together. Think of:

• Video exercises for home or holidays

• Games and challenges in the bath or pool

• Tips and explanations about motor skills, safety, and buoyancy

• Educational animations or printable exercises

The Senor Swim Academy was developed to prepare children for swim lessons in a playful way and to strengthen existing lessons – fully aligned with the EasySwim method.

7 Benefits of an Online Swimming Method

1. Prepares for swim lessonsChildren who are already comfortable with water and movements at home feel more confident in their first class.

2. Practice together with your childIt creates parent-child bonding moments. You learn together, at your own pace, without pressure.

3. Flexible and usable anywhereIn the bath, garden, pool, or on holiday. No fixed time or location needed.

4. Encourages repetitionChildren learn by repeating. Videos can be watched and practiced as often as needed.

5. Supports children with learning delays or fearsKids who find water scary can first become familiar with it through visual stories.

6. Enhances swim lessonsPracticing online alongside physical lessons leads to faster progress in the pool.

7. Educational and funWith playful videos, rewards, and challenges, it stays engaging for young swimmers.

Conclusion

The Senor Swim Academy is an ideal support for parents who want to prepare their child for swimming lessons or help them learn at home. It’s flexible, fun, educational, and builds confidence and skills in the water.

Many parents think they can delay swimming lessons, but waiting too long actually brings risks. In this blog, we explain why it’s important to start on time and what can happen if you wait too long.

Increased fear of water

The longer you wait, the more likely your child will develop a fear of water. They become less comfortable with splashes and diving, making it harder to enjoy the water.

Group pressure and insecurity

If classmates are already swimming and your child isn’t, it can cause insecurity and social pressure. This can reduce your child’s confidence and make swim lessons less fun.

Fewer opportunities for motor development

Starting early with swimming lessons gives children a unique chance to develop important motor skills. Learning to float, move, and breathe in water gives your child a head start, even outside the pool.

Safety comes first

The sooner your child learns to swim, the safer they are during vacations, family outings, or near water. Swimming isn’t just fun—it’s an essential skill for safety.

Conclusion

Don’t wait too long to start swimming lessons. Starting early means less fear, more confidence, and better water safety. The Senor Swim Academy offers helpful tips and online exercises to support this process at home in a fun and engaging way. That’s how swimming becomes a positive experience for the whole family!

Playing in the water is not just fun – it’s essential for your child’s swimming development. It builds confidence, motor skills, and enjoyment, laying the foundation for safe and independent swimming. In this blog, you’ll discover how play-based learning fosters swimming skills and how the Senor Swim float suit supports these playful water moments.

What you’ll learn in this blog:

• Why playing in the water is so important.

• How play and safety go hand in hand.

• Tips for parents to encourage playful water practice

1. Why is playing in the water so important?

Learning through play stimulates motor development and helps children feel comfortable in the water. According to VeiligheidNL and experts like the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB), moving and experimenting in water is the key to building confidence and skills. Activities like splashing, diving, and floating help children become familiar with water in a natural, safe way.

2. The role of the float suit in playful swimming

A float suit, such as the Senor Swim float suit, provides just enough support to allow children to discover how to float and move on their own. This encourages a natural swimming posture, unlike arm floats, which often limit movement. Children learn at their own pace and can move freely – essential for fun and building self-confidence.

3. Practical tips for parents

• Let your child explore the water at their own pace. Use games like “see who can splash the furthest” or “grab the floating toy.”

• Combine the float suit with short swimming lessons to build familiarity and trust.

• Stay close for safety, but allow your child the freedom to discover and play.

Conclusion

Playing in the water is the foundation for safe and confident swimming. By choosing a tool like the Senor Swim float suit, you give your child the opportunity to learn through play and build lifelong water confidence and enjoyment.

There are many beliefs about learning to swim that don’t always hold true. These myths can make parents feel unsure or prevent them from finding the best approach for their child. In this blog, we’ll explore the most common misconceptions, back them up with insights from swimming experts, and show how Senor Swim offers a proven and modern alternative.

What you’ll learn in this blog:

• The most persistent myths about learning to swim.

• Why traditional methods don’t work for every child.

• How floatation aids and digital swim lessons can actually support progress.

1. Myth: "Floatation aids slow down learning"

Many believe that tools like float suits hinder swimming development. However, research from the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB) shows that the right support can actually speed up the process—especially when children move in a natural horizontal position. A quality float suit, like the one from Senor Swim, encourages that posture and gives kids the confidence and freedom to practice without fear.

2. Myth: "All children learn the same way"

In reality, every child is different. Their pace, confidence, and motor skills vary greatly. Senor Swim’s approach—combining float suits with digital lessons through the Senor Swim Academy—is tailored to each child. With video support and easy-to-follow exercises, children can practice at home or on vacation at their own pace. It’s a personalized path to swimming proficiency.

3. Myth: "ABC diplomas are the only way to swim safely"

While the ABC diploma system is widely accepted in the Netherlands, it’s not necessarily the best or only method for every child. Traditional lessons often focus on fixed techniques and rigid paths. In contrast, Senor Swim Academy emphasizes water confidence, enjoyment, and self-reliance—essential elements of true water safety.

The Power of Senor Swim’s Approach

Senor Swim combines high-quality floatation aids with modern digital swim education. By allowing children to get comfortable with water through guided video lessons and playful practice, learning becomes a flexible and positive experience. Parents appreciate this alternative for its blend of safety, freedom, and fun.

Conclusion

Gone are the days of a one-size-fits-all swim journey. By acknowledging that there are multiple ways to become swim-ready, you give your child a better chance to learn safely, joyfully, and effectively. Don’t let outdated myths guide your decisions—choose what really works.