Every year it seems I get the same question from parents regarding the cost of ISR lessons versus traditional lessons. The best explanation I can give was written by fellow Michigan ISR Master Instructor Michael Petrella 4 years ago, he writes:

"​I did the math on traditional swim lessons vs. ISR lessons. The rate I received from the local YMCA was $80 for a four-day session, 45 minutes per day. The Instructor to student ratio for the little ones, 3-year-old with little to no skills, is 4 students to 1 Instructor. (This is being generous. The ratio is more likely 6 to 1.) That works out to $80 for 45 minutes per student. I charge $75 a week and you get 50 minutes of one-on-one, specialized instruction from an aquatics behavioral specialist that has his own children and understands them, not a 19-year-old college swimmer home on summer break. I’m talking about an ISR Instructor schooled in behavior psychology and the aspects of sensorimotor learning, and shaping behavior, physiological conditions as they relate to the water, emotional learning, who has spent over 80 hours studying video and analyzing the effects of positive reinforcement and how it is applied at the precise moment in time to be effective. Oh, I almost forgot, with ISR you do have to pay a $105.00 application fee so our DOCTORS & NURSES on staff can ensure your child will receive a safe lesson. Yes, we have real-life doctors and nurses that review registrations. Here is the most important thing to consider. At the end of what would be 6 sessions (6 weeks), your child will have REAL skills to swim and more importantly rollback to float to save their life in an emergency situation. I’m talking fully clothed with jeans and a sweatshirt and shoes and a diaper on. Did I mention that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under 4? The sooner the safer! Don’t even get me started on the dangers of ‘Pop Tot’ & ‘Mommy & Me’ classes that teach babies that water is fun without teaching them what to do if they go and get into all that fun!"

If cost is not the issue then think about the quality of instruction you are receiving.  My question when you shopped for a car seat, did you buy the cheapest one or did you look at the ratings and get the best car seat with the best safety record?

Is your child an ISR of Lake Lanier Swimmer? If you answered yes, I have great news!  ISR of Lake Lanier now offers Beginner Stroke Swim Lessons to children ages 3+!  Stroke lessons build upon your child's already existing self-rescue swim skills. Students 4 and up will work on the Front Crawl (freestyle), Rhythmic Breathing (breathing on one side), and the Backstroke!

Your child can learn more coordinated swim skills including:

• Specific stroke instruction
• Putting face in water
• Alternating arms
• Stronger kicks
• Diving for toys

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For additional information on my stroke lessons, please click here: Stroke Lessons

​Registration for Stroke Lessons, Dates and Times coming later this month!

​Although 10 minutes may seem like a very short lesson, remember that each lesson is private and your child is getting the undivided attention of their instructor. Each lesson, though short, is very intense. Most group lesson are only 30-45 minutes in length with as many as 6 children in each class. This equals only about 5-7 minutes of actual instruction time for each child. Before deciding that your child can't possibly learn in such a short lesson, come and observe one or more ISR of Lake Lanier lessons.

ISR has implemented the 10 minute maximum lesson length to ensure the safety of the student. Vasoconstriction checks and the condition of the abdomen dictate the end of the lesson not the clock (parents always notice that Ms. Robin NEVER wears a watch).

• The 10 minute maximum lesson aids in the prevention of hyponatremia when establishing breath control.
• Allows the Instructor to end the lesson on a better approximation of the target behavior, keeping our student successful within this time frame and getting them out on a positive note rather than due to muscular fatigue.
• Allows the Instructor to end the lesson before physical fatigue sets in. Once physical fatigue sets in posture and coordinated movements begin to deteriorate rapidly and therefore less than optimum performance gets reinforced.
• Studies show that children learn faster and retain skills best when taught in short increments frequently. Hence, the 5 days in a row, 10 minute lessons.

Copyright © 2016 ISR of Lake Lanier, LLC

ISR Difference:  Your child will be working hard during lessons and they will be tired afterward. Since many young children do not engage in many activities for longer than ten minutes, ISR of Lake Lanier takes advantage of the prime learning span without exceeding it. Miss Robin keeps her lessons within the 10 minutes to avoid muscle exhaustion.  

Although 10 minutes may seem like a very short lesson, remember that each lesson is private and your child is getting the undivided attention of the instructor.  This lesson though short is very intense.  Most group lesson are only 30-45 minutes in length with as many as 6 children in each class.  This equals only about 5-7 minutes of actual instruction time for each child.  Before deciding that your child can't possibly learn in such a short lesson, come and observe one or more ISR of Lake Lanier lessons. 

ISR has implemented the 10 minute maximum lesson length to ensure the safety of the student. Vasoconstriction checks and the condition of the abdomen dictate the end of the lesson not the clock (parents always notice that Ms. Robin NEVER wears a watch).   

• The 10 minute maximum lesson aids in the prevention of hyponatremia when establishing breath control.

• Allows the Instructor to end the lesson on a better approximation of the target behavior, keeping our student successful within this time frame and getting them out on a positive note rather than due to muscular fatigue.

• Allows the Instructor to end the lesson before physical fatigue sets in. Once physical fatigue sets in posture and coordinated movements begin to deteriorate rapidly and therefore less than optimum performance gets reinforced.

• Studies show that children learn faster and retain skills best when taught in short increments frequently. Hence, the 5 days in a row, 10 minute lessons.

Copyright © 2016 ISR of Lake Lanier, LLC

ISR uses both verbal and non-verbal cues to teach children as young as 6 months, so if your child can crawl, walk and run, they are ready for ISR swim lessons! ​Even though your child might not communicate verbally yet, he or she can learn to ISR Self-Rescue™. Remember, your child may not talk, but he or she has learned motor skills such as to roll, crawl, walk and run. These are the only skills needed to find themselves in water danger.  

Unlike other swimming lessons, your child's ISR of Lake Lanier's Self-Rescue™ lessons:

• Are customized and taught one-on-one by a certified ISR instructor
• Last for no more than 10 minutes, Monday through Friday, for approximately 4 to 6 weeks
• Emphasize health, ongoing program evaluations and parent education
• Provide your child with the competence and confidence to safely enjoy the water
• Extensive parent education on safety in and around the water

Copyright © 2014 ISR of Lake Lanier, LLC