Partnering With Swim Instructors, a Parent Guide to Support Your Child

Swimming lessons work best when parents and instructors feel connected, informed, and on the same team. Many children, especially those with sensory needs, anxiety, motor challenges, or communication differences, depend on adults working together to help them feel safe and confident in the water.

The Partnering With Swim Instructors – Parent Guide is a simple, supportive resource created by paediatric occupational therapists at EquipKids. It helps you share your child’s strengths, needs, and communication style in a clear and constructive way so instructors can tailor their approach and support your child’s success.

This flyer gives you:

• Key information to share with instructors before lessons

• Helpful language for explaining sensory needs, anxieties, or challenges

• Tips for building trust and collaborative communication

• Strategies for supporting your child without overwhelming them

• A positive framework for problem solving together

Use this guide the week before lessons start, at your child’s first class, or any time challenges arise. Clear communication helps everyone feel more prepared and gives your child a better chance to enjoy swimming.

Perfect for:

• Children who need extra support or predictability in new environments

• Parents navigating swim lessons for the first time

• Families of children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing needs

• Swim instructors who want to create more inclusive lessons

This flyer makes collaboration easy, respectful, and centred around your child.