Do you want your child to not only feel safe in the water, but also thrive as a confident swimmer?
Swimming isn’t something kids master in a single lesson—it’s a journey. At Chicago Blue Dolphins, we guide that journey step by step, giving your child the skills, confidence, and love of swimming that will last a lifetime.
Our program is built around three clear stages of learning to swim: Learn-to-Swim, Endurance Building, and Stroke Mastery. Each stage is designed to match the goals most parents have for their kids, whether that’s safety, stamina, or swim team readiness.
Learn to be comfortable and safe
Stage 1: Learn-to-Swim — Building Safety and Comfort
The first step is helping kids feel safe, relaxed, and in control in the water. Many beginners come in a little unsure, but with the right guidance, they quickly discover that the water will support them.
In this stage, kids learn how to:
- Float on their front and back with confidence
- Control their breathing with “bubbling” and rolling for air
- Glide and kick independently
- Swim simple strokes on the front and back
- Handle themselves in shallow and deep water with basic safety skills
Parent Goal: “I want my child to feel comfortable and safe in the water.”
At Chicago Blue Dolphins, we keep classes small and fun, using games and kid-friendly drills like Hot Dog! and Superman Arms to make sure kids are not just learning—they’re enjoying every step.
Be strong and confident in pools and open water
Stage 2: Endurance Building — Swimming Farther, Stronger, Longer
Once kids feel safe in the water, the next step is to help them swim with strength and stamina. In this phase, swimmers develop the ability to swim 50 yards of freestyle and backstroke with rhythm and efficiency—the benchmark for passing most camp or school swim tests.
They also start to explore more advanced skills:
- Longer treading and survival floats (up to one minute)
- Open turns and simple dives
- The foundation of breaststroke and butterfly
Parent Goal: “I want my child to swim longer distances and handle deep water confidently.”
By the end of this stage, your child won’t just “know how to swim”—they’ll be able to swim safely, strongly, and without stopping.
Learn all four strokes to prep for swim team
Stage 3: Stroke Mastery — Ready for Swim Team
For kids who have caught the swimming bug, the final stage is about mastery and performance. This phase teaches all four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) with strong technique, so children can enjoy the sport recreationally or prepare for competitive swimming.
In this stage, swimmers learn to:
- Swim longer distances in all four strokes
- Perform racing starts and flip turns
- Practice group swim etiquette—like circle swimming and using the pace clock
- Balance fun, speed, and endurance in a team-like setting
Parent Goal: “My child loves the water and wants to take swimming to the next level.”
We combine our high-tech Swim Studio (with underwater video feedback) and full-size pool practice to make sure kids refine their strokes before adding speed and distance. The result: confident swimmers who are fully prepared for the demands of a swim team.
Why Our 3-Stage Roadmap Works
Swimming success comes from progression, not pressure. By breaking learning into stages, we make sure kids master one set of skills before moving to the next. Parents see measurable progress every few months, while kids stay motivated and proud of their accomplishments.
Unlike one-size-fits-all swim programs, our roadmap ensures that no skill gaps are left behind—just steady growth in confidence, ability, and love for the water.
Ready to Start Your Child’s Swim Journey?
No matter where your child begins—whether it’s floating for the first time, swimming a lap without stopping, or refining strokes for competition—we’ll guide them every step of the way.
Give your child the gift of safety, confidence, and lifelong swimming skills.