05/12/2026
PSA: This is a hill we don’t need to die on, but feel it a disservice to not answer the common question. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏽♂️
💦No, we don’t use them in our classes. And we don’t use them in our household. Noodles and Kickboards being used as tools to teach and learn as an exception. If in doubt about the difference- just ask! 😊
💦When you ask if it’s ok, we aren’t judging you because your choice is yours. But we do believe as experts it is not helpful for learning how to swim.
Here’s why:
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1. Your child will associate floaties or puddle jumpers as being able to swim on their own. If they are independent thinkers but not participating in swim lessons, your floaties are not fixing a problem… you are creating one.
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2. A false sense of safety. Until your child is independently swimming then you should be active in the water too. Otherwise this may accidentally reinforce they are ok in water without you and that goes against the golden rule of no one swims alone. Accidental drowning is the #1 reason children around the world die each year, only second to gun violence in the U.S.A.
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3. You’re undoing your swim lessons. If you’re investing in skills to be an independent swimmer, then please honor that investment and time. Practice with your child outside of class and make those pool memories last forever together.
