Levels Descriptions
Parent & Me Classes
Parent and Me Swim Levels
In the Superstar Method, our Parent and Me swim lessons are designed to provide a structured and supportive environment where young swimmers can develop essential water skills while building confidence and a love for the water. The Mini Stars program is divided into three distinct levels, each tailored to the developmental needs of children within specific age ranges. These levels ensure that both the swimmers and their parents are engaged in activities that are age-appropriate and beneficial for the child’s growth in the water.
Mini Stars 1:
2 months- 10 months
Mini Stars 2:
11 months- 21 months
Mini Stars 3:
22 months – 36 months
At this stage, toddlers are ready to take on more advanced skills and develop greater independence in the water. Milestones include independent swimming, kicking, floating, safety drills, grabbing, jumping, and reaching. Drills focus on refining skills such as kicking with equipment, independent submersions, and improving balance and coordination. Emphasis is placed on building strength, enhancing listening skills, pool awareness, and practicing the safety pledge. These sessions also foster social and physical development, preparing toddlers to be more confident and independent swimmers. Each lesson offers a FINTASTIC bonding opportunity for parents and their little ones, making the experience both nurturing and enriching.
Advancing tothe Next Level
In the Parent and Me program, swim lessons are based on age group only and not on swim skills. As your child grows and reaches each new age milestone, they will naturally progress to the next Mini Stars group. Here’s how the advancement process works:
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Age-Based Progression: Once a swimmer reaches the appropriate age for the next level, they will move up to that group.
Transition to Star 1 Group Levels: At three years, swimmers will have the opportunity to do a trial for the Star 1 group levels, which are designed for more independent swimming without parental involvement. To be ready for Star 1, swimmers need to stay in the pool area, follow directions, and adhere to safety pool protocols.
It is completely fine if, at three years old, swimmers are still not ready for the transition, or if swimmers older than three years old are placed in the Mini Stars 3 group to get comfortable in the water with one parent inside the water. The focus is always on the child’s readiness and comfort level, ensuring a positive and supportive learning experience at every stage so they will become FINTASTIC swimmers.
Group Classes
Star 1
Star 1 is a beginner level that focuses on building the foundation of swimming. In Star 1, swimmers will concentrate on water acclimation, breath control, safety drills, and independent swimming to the swim coach. Our goal is to build confidence, trust, and essential skills in our swimmers.
Swimmers will work on muscle memory and drill repetition to master the drills. This level is the foundation of swimming and requires time, practice, and consistency to master the drills. Remember, like everything new in life, developing these skills takes patience and consistency.
Skills Worked On
- Pool Safety
- Superstar Safety Pledge
- Active Listening
- Water Introduction Drill with a Cup
- Safety Drill – Assisted Starfish Back Float and Rollover
- Unassisted Breath Control – Bubbles
- Kicking Technique
- Assisted Superstar Blast-Off
- Assisted Superstar Barbell and Noodle Kicking
- Unassisted Superstar Flutter Kick:
- Safety Drill – Crab Walk, Climb Up, Jump, and Turn
Evaluating Progress – Advancing Swimmers to the Next Level: To advance to the next level, swimmers must successfully master both the safety and unassisted drills required for Star 1.
Star 2
At Star Level 2, swimmers continue to refine breath control and safety drills, emphasizing the development of a strong and effective flutter kick. This level focuses on independent swimming and integrates safety sequences like “swim, float, swim.” Additionally, swimmers will maintain a robust kick at the water’s surface and begin introducing jellyfish arm techniques.
This stage focuses on building strength, enhancing coordination, and boosting confidence in the water. Swimmers will actively work on strengthening their kicks and improving their breath control as they advance.
Skills Worked On
- Pool Safety
- Superstar Safety Pledge
- Active Listening
- Water Confidence
- Breath Control – Bubbles
- Kicking Technique
- Assisted Flutter Kick with Equipment
- Unassisted Superstar Blast-Off
- Unassisted Flutter Kick Superstar Arms
- Safety Drill – Assisted or Unassisted Starfish Back Float (10 sec) and Roll Over to a Starfish Front Float
- Assisted Back Kicking
- Safety Drill – Assisted Kick, Float, Kick
- Safety Drill – Jellyfish Arms with Flutter Kick
Evaluating Progress – Advancing Swimmers to the Next Level: To advance to the next level, swimmers must successfully master both the safety and unassisted drills required for Star 2.
Star 3
At the Star 3 level, swimmers focus on building confidence, strength, and greater independence in the water. This stage emphasizes proper flutter kicking, independent swimming, and mastering safety drills. Swimmers work to improve their Jellyfish Arms, developing foundational arm movements, and coaches begin teaching the basics of freestyle arms.
The goal is to equip swimmers with strong, effective kicking techniques and the essential skills needed to advance in freestyle swimming. Through consistent practice and encouragement, swimmers gain the strength and coordination required to navigate the water independently while laying the groundwork for more advanced swim techniques.
Skills Worked On
- Superstar Safety Pledge
- Kicking Technique
- Kicking with a Kickboard
- Safety Drill – Jellyfish Arms and Unassisted Turn Back to the Wall
- Streamline Kick with a Noodle Foam Block
- Assisted Starting Position on the Wall
- Unassisted Streamline Kick
- Safety Drill – Unassisted Starfish Back Float and Roll Over to a Starfish Front Float
- Safety Drill – Kick, Float, Kick
- Back Kicking
- Safety Drill – Kick, Roll, Kick – Assisted or Unassisted
- Unassisted Freestyle Arms
Evaluating Progress – Advancing Swimmers to the Next Level: To advance to the next level, swimmers must successfully master both the safety and unassisted drills required for Star 3.
Star 4
At the Star 4 level, swimmers focus on laying the foundation for the freestyle stroke. This level breaks down various drills to teach proper side breathing, enhancing coordination, strength, and timing essential for mastering the freestyle stroke.
Additionally, swimmers are introduced to backstroke drills, aiming to swim consistently freestyle for one lap. This stage is critical for building confidence and technique in these strokes, preparing swimmers for more complex swimming challenges ahead.
Skills Worked On
- Flutter Kick with a Kickboard
- Unassisted Streamline Kick
- Safety Drill – Unassisted Kick, Float, Kick, Float
- Sidekick with Rotation
- Streamline Pull to Sidekick
- Single Arm Freestyle
- Unassisted Freestyle Catch-Up Drill
- Unassisted Freestyle Swim
- Introduction to Backstroke Arm Circles
- Unassisted 3-3 Drill
Evaluating Progress – Advancing Swimmers to the Next Level: To advance to the next level, swimmers must successfully master both the safety and unassisted drills required for Star 4.
Star 5
Skills Worked On
- Flutter Kick with a Kickboard
- Unassisted Side Kicking
- Unassisted Single-Arm Freestyle
- 6 Kicks Pull Drill
- Unassisted Freestyle Swim
- Unassisted Backstroke Streamline Flutter Kick
- Unassisted Single-Arm Backstroke
- Backstroke Rotation Drill
- Body Rotation
- Unassisted Full Backstroke Swim
- Unassisted Freestyle and Backstroke Swim
Evaluating Progress – Advancing Swimmers to the Next Level: To advance to the next level, swimmers must successfully master both the safety and unassisted drills required for Star 5.
Star 6
Learn More
- Week 1+2: Breaststroke
- Week 3+4: Butterfly
- Week 5: Coach’s choice
Evaluating Progress – Advancing Swimmers to the Next Level: To advance to the next level, swimmers must successfully master both the breaststroke and butterfly strokes.
Star 7
At the Star 7 level, swimmers who are proficient in all four competitive strokes—butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle—focus on advanced techniques and team preparation. Each week, the curriculum targets different aspects of competitive swimming, including flip turns, IM order, sprints, and complex drills. Additionally, swimmers learn circle swimming, a crucial skill for managing space and pacing in a race environment.
This level is designed to bridge individual skills with team dynamics, preparing swimmers for the collaborative aspects of swim team participation. They will learn to synchronize their efforts with others, understand race strategies, and develop the discipline required for team swimming. Star 7 serves as the final preparatory stage for joining a swim team, emphasizing endurance, technique refinement, and teamwork.
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- Week 1-2: Individual Medley (IM)
- Week 3-4: Freestyle
