Toddler swim lessons inHighland

Looking for the best private toddler swimming lessons near me? It’s always a Sunsational time to learn to swim in Highland! Our private swim lessons ensure rapid progress in essential water safety skills.

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Sunsational Swim instructors

Toddler swim lessons in Highland, MD

Safe, fun, and taught at home!

With our Learn-to-Swim Guarantee, if your toddler can’t demonstrate the “Sunsational Swim Sequence” by the twelfth lesson, we’ll give you up to four additional classes for free!

Baby enjoying a swim lesson

Sunsational Swim School brings essential swim skills to your home pool or local community pool, helping everyone enjoy the water more safely across the Highland.

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What are survival float lessons?

Highland parents often ask if we teach survival float, self-rescue techniques or Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) lessons. We share the same fundamental goal as ISR - ensuring water safety - but our teaching methods differ. ISR often uses a method called “forced back floating”, where toddlers are repeatedly submerged to trigger a floating reflex. While learning to float is valuable, this method can cause negative associations with water.

At Sunsational Swim School, we focus on teaching both floating and essential swimming strokes. This ensures toddlers can stay afloat as well as move to safety confidently.

Our experienced instructors in Highland use gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement, which helps toddlers develop water skills in a fun, nurturing environment. We’re committed to building a foundation of water confidence.

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Why are swimming lessons so important for toddlers?

Drowning is the #1 leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. among children under 5, and in most cases, it happens in just minutes – even when a caregiver is nearby. In fact:

Why Swim lessons important image
Drowningis the 1# leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. among children under 5 years old
9 out of 10drowning deaths occur while an adult is present
75%of children who drown were out of sight for five minutes or less

Swimming lessons can save lives. Give your toddler the gift of swimming which lasts a lifetime!

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Levels we teach on our Swim Lesson Programs

Tadpole Skills

Cue words to learn to hold breath underwater

Assisted back float

Assisted front float/submersion

Developing underwater comfort & water acclimation

Assisted Kicking

Introduction of Water Safety Skills (based on age)

Blowing bubbles

Assisted "monkey crawl" along pool wall

Starfish Skills

Unassisted backfloat

Underwater swim (person to person & to wall)

"Monkey Crawl" holding the side of the pool wall

Reach for the side of the pool after submersion

Assisted roll to back float

Assisted climb out of pool

Goldfish Skills

Unassisted kicking underwater

Underwater turn to grab wall (near edge)

Roll to back float (less assistance)

Unassisted 15+ second back float

Assisted fall into water and roll to back float

Unassisted climb out of pool

Jellyfish Skills

Unassisted roll to back float

Drop in from pool edge, turn around and kick back to wall

Unassisted 30+ second back float

Unassisted roll to back float after fall in water

Seahorse Skills

Tread water

Assisted back float

Assisted front float/submersion

Developing underwater comfort & water acclimation

Assisted Kicking

Introduction of Water Safety Skills (based on age)

Blowing bubbles

Assisted "monkey crawl" along pool wall

Dolphin Skills

Breaststroke

Jump into pool tread water 10s return to side

Forward somersault

Skull head first 5m

Backstroke

Dolphin kick

Seal Skills

Technique refinement for all strokes

Tread water 30+ seconds

Retrieve underwater objects in deep water

Flip turns

Head first surface dive in deep water

Butterfly

Members Of

Member of National Drowning Prevention AllianceMember of United States Swim School AssociationMembers of Female FoundersMember Stop Drowning Now

Benefits of kids swimming lessons

A 2009 study found that children who take kids swimming lessons have a significantly lower risk of accidental drowning. Learning to swim is essential for your kid’s safety and confidence in the water.

Kids swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning

Benefit Illustration

Unlike many sports, swimming is something kids can start at any age, and continue throughout their lives. Swim classes introduce young swimmers to a skill that is best developed early.

Swimming is a lifelong activity

Obesity is a rising problem in America, and swimming lessons for children might just be the answer. Swimming is a great full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health and builds muscle strength.

Swimming builds strength and endurance

Swimming isn’t just about safety, it’s about enjoying the time in the water with confidence. Kids swimming lessons teach children lifesaving skills while also helping kids learn to enjoy swimming for the rest of their lives.

Important skill for fun and safety

This might surprise parents, but studies have shown children who undertake swim lessons at an early age develop stronger cognitive and motor skills, which can help them succeed in school. This means they might do better!

Kids who swim do better in school

Benefit Illustration

Swimming isn’t just a fun activity and an important life skill, it’s also a fantastic form of exercise. Non-weight bearing and able to work out every single muscle group, starting swim lessons will keep them fit until they’ve grown!

A fun way to stay active and healthy

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

We're so confident in the quality of our swim instructors that we stand behind them with our Sunsational Instructor Guarantee!

If your first lesson is anything less than sunsational, just let us know and we can either refund your unused lesson time or re-start your lesson package with a more suitable Instructor, your choice!

Private swim lessons vs. Group swim lessons

Learn about why parents choose Sunsational for their Private Swimming Lessons

Private Swim Lessons

vs

Group Swim Lessons


Quick Results with 30+ minutes of individualised instruction

vs

Slow Progress with limited 1-on-1 attention

Flexible scheduling, book multiple kids back-to-back

vs

Flexible scheduling, may vary for each child

Save time lessons at your home or community pool

vs

Time-Consuming - travel required to and from lessons

Faster Progression saves money in the long run

vs

More Sessions Needed Needed to see real progress

Why choose Sunsational Swim School for your toddler’s swim lessons?

Water safety starts early

We prioritize safety in every lesson. Our toddler swim programs teach essential water safety skills, ensuring your child learns to swim in a fun yet secure environment.

A fun and progressive learning approach

At Sunsational Swim School our lessons follow a progressive method that makes learning fun; not stressful or fear-inducing. With private lessons our instructors go at your child's pace, progressing them only when they're ready.

Learn to swim guaranteed

We're so confident in our methods that we offer a Learn to Swim Guarantee in all of our private toddler swim classes. If your child can't swim back to the pool wall after 12 lessons, you'll get up to four more lessons for free.

Swim lessons that fit around your schedule

Highland parents are busy, and often struggle to fit their toddler's swim lessons into their schedule. That's why our instructors come to you, holding lessons at a time, and pool, that's convenient for you.

Expert instructors you can trust

Our Highland swim instructors are highly experienced and have a minimum of two years teaching, CPR and First Aid Certified, and many are also Red Cross lifeguard or Water Safety Instructor certified.

Lessons are fun and age-appropriate

We make learning to swim fun and engaging with games, activities and age-appropriate techniques. Young children also earn Sunsational skill charts and certificates to celebrate their progress!

instructor image

Toddler lessons

The more lessons you buy, the more you save!

1 Student

30 - 45 Minute private Lessons

18 lessons

$

77

/ 30 minutes

-14%
$

106

/ HOUR

-15%

BEST VALUE

12 lessons

$

82

/ 30 minutes

-9%
$

112

/ HOUR

-10%

MOST POPULAR

6 lessons

$

90

/ 30 minutes

$

125

/ HOUR

*60+ minute lessons can be divided into back-to-back lessons for multiple children

Search Nearby Instructors

*If you'd like to work with a specific instructor, we'll do our best match you with your request. However, instructor availability is not guaranteed. If the instructor is unavailable, we'll pair you with a swim instructor who's equally qualified!

Instructor Sophia C. profile Card Image

Sophia C.

Laurel, Maryland 20723

Certification N/A

Hello! My name is Sophia Cramer, and I am excited to be your swim instructor! I began swimming on my local summer swim team when I was 5 years old and began swimming year-round soon after. I swam competitively for a total of 12 years and have remained a member of the swimming community through lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons. I have experience teaching students aged one and above. In my opinion, a perfect lesson pushes and empowers kids to face their fears and improve their swimming skills while incorporating fun, personalized games!

Instructor Joi H. profile Card Image

Joi H.

Columbia, MD 21044

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hello! My name is Joi. I have been teaching swim lessons for over 8 years now and lifeguarding for 12 years. I am a current student in a doctoral program to become a psychologist, a mom of two boys and I specialize in children with special needs. I am able to teach all ages and levels and I look forward to working with you. See you soon!

Instructor Flavio R. profile Card Image

Flavio R.

Burtonsville, MD 20866

Sunsational Certified Since 2019

Hi my name is Flavio, and I've been teaching swim lessons now for 4 years! I teach young toddlers all the way to adults. I'm a certified American Red Cross lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED. And a water safety instructor. Swimming is a skill that everybody has the privilege to learn. I'm also a competitive swimmer for the past 7 years. I love to teach new individuals how to swim and see them progress! I go to Howard Community College! I'm getting my degree in Business Administration.

Instructor Emmanuela K. profile Card Image

Emmanuela K.

Burtonsville, Maryland 20866

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

Hi! Im a lifelong swimmer and water lover ready to teach you how to swim. I have experience as a coach of a high school swimming team, lifeguarding local pools, and working with children and seniors. Im patient, caring, and driven to teach you how to swim in a way that makes you comfortable in any water and confident in your abilities.

Instructor Nicole L. profile Card Image

Nicole L.

Olney, MD 20832

Sunsational Certified Since 2021

Hi, my name is Nicole Leung and I've been teaching private swim lessons for over 5 years. I have taught lessons to students at nearly every age: from 1 year old to 60 years young! I've also worked with children for 9 years as a volunteer swim coach, junior coach, assistant coach, and babysitter. I also have 9 years of competitive swimming, 8 years of lifeguarding and 5 years of pool operating experience under my belt.

Instructor Ledia E. profile Card Image

Ledia E.

Laurel, Maryland 20707

Sunsational Certified Since 2023

My name is Ledia and I have been teaching swim lessons for a few years with ages 2 to 50+. I have also worked with children for more than 15 years as a Sunday school teacher, tutor, babysitter, and mentor. I went to college in Massachusetts, and earned a degree in economics. I speak Spanish and Amharic and work full-time in finance. Swimming builds self-confidence and is a great form of exercise. I have experience working with children with special needs, and I work best with beginner swimmers!

Instructor Shelby J. profile Card Image

Shelby J.

Savage, MD 20763

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hello, I'm Shelby and I have been teaching swim lessons for about a year and swam competitively for 10 years. I've worked with infants, toddlers, and school age children and have experience teaching children with special needs including autism, down syndrome, and adhd. I love teaching because of how rewarding it is. My favorite experiences with teaching are helping a child face their fears, realize their capabilities, and to see the smile on their face when they have had a great lesson!

Instructor Hoang-Van C. profile Card Image

Hoang-Van C.

Silver Spring, Maryland 20904

Certification N/A

Hi, my name is Van. I am 19 years old, and I have been conducting swim lessons since December 2019! I have been swimming competitively since I was 6! I love working with kids, and teaching them how to swim is a passion of mine.

Instructor Elijah F. profile Card Image

Elijah F.

Silver Spring, Maryland 20906

Certification N/A

Hi, my name is Elijah Faunteroy (Eli for short). I have over 10 years of coaching experience since January 2015, working with all ages! I am comfortable with all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, but all I ask is that we make this time fun and safe! I look forward to swimming with you!

Instructor Melanie W. profile Card Image

Melanie W.

Columbia, MD 20145

Sunsational Certified Since 2025

Hi my name is Melanie and I've been teaching swim lessons for seven years with infants as young as 6 months all the way up to adults! I have also worked with children through swim coaching and babysitting. I went to the University of Delaware and have a degree in health sciences. I am currently pursuing my Masters in occupational therapy at Thomas Jefferson University. I love teaching swimming because I love seeing progress whether it be being comfortable in the water or learning a new stroke!

Instructor Lisa M. profile Card Image

Lisa M.

Silver Spring, MA 20902

Sunsational Certified Since 2018

I have had water in my life since I was 3 years old. Swim team, lifeguard jobs during school and college. I maintained my competitive edge as a "Master Swimmer" during my career. I had 3 sons who learned to swim as they learned to walk. I was a summer camp director which included a swim instruction component. I trained lifeguards in instructional swim techniques. I have been teaching YMCA group swim classes for children and adults, starting with infants at 5 months old.

Instructor Melanie M. profile Card Image

Melanie M.

Elkridge, MD 21075

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hi, my name is Melanie and I've been teaching swim lessons for 2 years coaching young children, teens, and adults. I've worked with a variety of students some of which who had never been in water before and students with special needs. I love teaching swim lessons because I used to swim competitively and want to share my skillset so students can feel comfortable in the water.

Instructor Skylar J. profile Card Image

Skylar J.

Silver Spring, MD 20902

Sunsational Certified Since 2018

Hi, I'm Skylar. I have 8 years of experience teaching swimming lessons and have a total of 10+ years of experience working with children in other capacities such as figure skating, after school, educational outreach, nannying, and more. Most of my experience has been with children 10 months-13 years, and I also have exp outside that age range as well. I love teaching swimming lessons because I enjoy sharing my passion for the water and I love helping people to improve their skills and knowledge.

Instructor Charles R. profile Card Image

Charles R.

Ellicott City, MD 21042

Sunsational Certified Since 2023

Hi, my name is Chuck and I have been teaching swim lessons for the past three years, including ages 2 through adult. I'm experienced with special needs children and students of all ages who fear the water. I was on swim team, worked as a lifeguard, and trained lifeguards. I'm a father of two and recently retired as a Senior Computer Systems Analyst. I love swimming so being a swim instructor is my dream job. I strive to get fast results while focusing on safety first and FUN!

Instructor Lisa M. profile Card Image

Lisa M.

Silver Spring, MA 20902

Sunsational Certified Since 2015

I have had water in my life since I was 3 years old. I have 3 sons who learned to swim as they learned to walk! I also have over 6 years of experience with Special Needs students, including revamping of an "Adaptive Swim Class". I co-authored a prenatal swim class with a Certified Doula that included In-Studio and Aquatics Class exercises, as well as lecture components. I have been teaching YMCA group swim classes for children and adults, starting with infants at 5 months old.

Instructor Andrea A. profile Card Image

Andrea A.

Rockville, MD 20852

Sunsational Certified Since 2018

Hi, my name is Andrea and I've been teaching swim lessons for 4 of years with ages from birth to 13. I've also worked with children for 7 years as teacher and babysitter. I am currently finishing my Masters in Healthcare Administration. During college, I taught swimming lessons and was a lifeguard at Girls Inc. I swam competitively for 7 years and love teaching swimming because I am able to watch the kids grow to be stronger swimmers, enjoy the water and give the peace of mind to parents.

Instructor Rylee F. profile Card Image

Rylee F.

Rockville, Maryland 20852

Sunsational Certified Since 2023

Hi! My name is Rylee. Ive been teaching swim lessons since February 2021 with children ages 6 months to 12 years, and adults. I specialize in Water Safety, but have also coached swim team, technique, and special needs classes. Overall, Ive worked with children since September 2017 through nannying, babysitting, and tutoring. I love teaching swim lessons because I know I can accomplish my goal of giving both you and your child better peace of mind when around a body of water. I can't wait to meet you!

Instructor Zayna C. profile Card Image

Zayna C.

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Certification N/A

Hi, my name is Zayna Clarke. Im 20 years old, and Im going into my junior year of college. I have been swimming all my life, and Im very comfortable in the water. I have been a swim instructor since February 2024, and I love teaching kids. I'm very confident in the water, and no matter what level swimmer you have, I will make sure they are safe and learn to love the water.

Instructor Stephanie T. profile Card Image

Stephanie T.

Catonsville, MD 21228

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hello, Stephanie here! I've been teaching swim lessons for 5 years to students of all ages. I've worked with children in some capacity for the past 13 years and truly enjoy seeing a student develop, learn, and conquer their goals. I am a mental health therapist and do community based counseling at various schools in the area. I love teaching swimming because it's a life skill everyone needs, and the water is such a fun space once you've learned to respect it and yourself.

Instructor Chelsea H. profile Card Image

Chelsea H.

Rockville, Maryland 20852

Certification N/A

Hello, I'm Chelsea, an experienced competitive swimmer and swim instructor for students of all abilities since February 2016. I have a lifelong passion for swimming and believe in sharing the skills required to safely engage with the pool. While many skills are safety-oriented, safety is extremely important and is best taught by making it fun while still taking it seriously. Children learn to safely face the water with courage if the water isn't scary. This is ultimately much safer and inspires a lasting love of swimming. I take a personalized approach to all different learners, varying my personal progression and consistently hitting key swim milestones, which makes me a great teacher for any learner.

Instructor Sharon S. profile Card Image

Sharon S.

Greenbelt, Maryland 20770

Certification N/A

Hi! My name is Sharon, and Im a dedicated swim instructor with over 10 years of experience teaching swimmers of all ages and abilities. My love for the sport led me to represent Ireland at the international level, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Ive been self-employed as a swim teacher since I was a teenager, and over the years, Ive worked with babies, children, teens, adults, and individuals with disabilities. I earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Indianapolis, where I swam competitively while completing my Masters Degree and also represented my university at the NCAA Championships. I truly believe swimming is a life skill for everyone, and I look forward to helping you or your child :)

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Got questions?

We have answers. When should toddlers start swim lessons?

No. Sunsational Swim School’s infant swim lessons are based on a child-centered and caring approach that focuses on building trust and rapport with the instructor and wonderment and respect of the water. When designing your baby’s swim lesson plan, our instructors consider all aspects of the well-being of your baby, including physical and emotional. Your swim instructor will create a safe environment for your baby to learn water-safety skills that include back floating, roll over breathing, “swim-float-swim”, the monkey crawl, and what to do after a fall into the pool. All of these skills are taught in a way that’s both fun and educational, using games, repetition, and even songs, at a pace that’s healthy for your little one.

We make scheduling easy. Morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend lessons are avaialble 6AM-8PM to fit your family’s lifestyle. You choose the days, times and number of lessons per week that works for you. Because all lessons are private, scheduling is completely flexible and can be adjusted for vacations or weather. In Highland, our instructors teach year-round, so you can start lessons whenever you’re ready.

Every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Physical and emotional readiness, motor skills and willingness all play a role in the pace your baby learns. However, the most common and most influential factors in the student’s learning pace we find is repetition and consistency. We recommend our baby students take 3 lessons per week for maximum skill retention and fast progression. Most of our students make significant progress within 12 to 18 lessons in our baby swim classes.

Yes—Sunsational’s instructors in Highland are CPR-certified and are insured under our company liability insurance policy. Every Sunsational certified swim instructor has a minimum prior 2 seasons of teaching experience. Lessons are always one-on-one or small group for close supervision. Our instructors teach toddlers to float, roll to their back, and safely reach the pool edge—what we call the Sunsational Safety Sequence. These skills are proven to reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% for children ages 1 to 4 years old[1] and are included in our Learn to Swim Guarantee for children ages 3 and up!

Your child’s first swim lesson focuses on safety, comfort, and trust. Our instructor will introduce floating, kicking, blowing bubbles, and gentle submersion using songs and games. Our private swim instructors in Highland come to you and lessons are taught in your own pool to create a safe, familiar environment. Teers are not unexpected, but what is even more expected is that your child will become more familiar and more confident in the water!

Every child learns at their own pace, but most toddlers in Highland start floating, kicking, and swimming short distances within a few weeks of consistent lessons. Sunsational’s personalized approach—taught in your own pool—helps toddlers learn faster than in group swim schools. With Sunsational's Learn to Swim Guarantee, toddlers ages 3 and up are guaranteed to learn to swim within 12 lessons, or we’ll provide up to four additional lessons free until they do.

Most parents in Highland start toddler swim lessons between 18 months and 3 years old. At this age, children are curious, active, and ready to begin learning basic swimming and safety skills. Sunsational’s certified instructors in {{metroAarea}} customize lessons to your toddler’s confidence and comfort level. We offer a learn to swim guarantee for toddlers ages 3 and up!

Swim lessons help toddlers build coordination, strength, and confidence—but the biggest benefit is safety. In Highland, where many families enjoy backyard pools, community centers or neighborhood pool time, lap swim, early swim instruction reduces drowning risk by up to 88% for children ages 1-4 years old and teaches respect for the water while keeping learning playful.

Yes! Sunsational offers both private 1-on-1 swim lessons and small sibling or friend groups in Highland and nearby neighborhoods in South Bay. Private lessons let your child learn at their own pace with minimal distractions.

We understand if you're concerned about selecting the right swim instructor for your lessons, because we are too! Our full-time, dedicated matching team carefully reviews your registration and hand selects a swim instructor for your lessons based on your swimmer's age, goals and your schedule. You'll receive a detailed instructor profile with experience, certifications, and reviews. If you'd like to request a specific instructor in Highland, we'll do our best to accommodate. But rest assured that we stand behind each of our swim instructors and selections with our Satisfaction Guarantee.

For baby and some toddler lessons, parent participation is encouraged for building water comfort. For older children (typically ages 2+), parents are not specifically encouraged to be in the water, as our one-on-one private instruction is designed to build independence. However, we always require a responsible adult to be present on the premises for all lessons with minors. If you have specific preferences or concerns, our team is happy to accommodate them in your registration. We tailor each lesson to your comfort and goals.

Our swim instructors travel to your home or community pool. Learn to Swim Guaranteed
with a Sunsational instructor!


Bring the swim school to your pool!ℱ

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