Toddler swim lessons inSilver Spring

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

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Sunsational Swim instructors

Toddler swim lessons in Silver Spring, DC

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 Silver Spring.

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What are survival float lessons?

Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring 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

Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring 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!

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Toddler lessons

The more lessons you buy, the more you save!

1 Student

30 - 45 Minute private Lessons

18 lessons

$

70

/ 30 minutes

-13%
$

98

/ HOUR

-11%

BEST VALUE

12 lessons

$

75

/ 30 minutes

-6%
$

104

/ HOUR

-5%

MOST POPULAR

6 lessons

$

80

/ 30 minutes

$

110

/ 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 Kyla P. profile Card Image

Kyla P.

Washington, District of Columbia 20012

Certification N/A

Hello! My name is Kyla Phillips. I am a rising junior at the University of Michigan. I was a competitive swimmer for 9 years until I graduated from high school. I currently teach at a swim school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, during the school year. I have taught kids to swim since February 2021, and I enjoy it a lot. Water safety is so important, so Im excited to pass on those skills.

Instructor Branden P. profile Card Image

Branden P.

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Sunsational Certified Since 2021

Hi! My name is Branden Phillips. I've been teaching swim lessons for several years while pursuing a dual degree in Chemistry & Economics at Howard University. I also volunteer as an EMT, as I'm pursuing a career in medicine. I've been lifeguarding and teaching students to swim for over 6 years now, and couldn't ask for a better summer job. As a former competitive swimmer and water polo player, I now teach swim lessons to children of all ages and skill levels. Looking forward to working with 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 Daniel K. profile Card Image

Daniel K.

Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815

Certification N/A

Hi, my name is Danny, and I have been a swim instructor and lifeguard since March 2020. I am a rising junior in college studying Finance. I really enjoy being in the pool and have worked with a variety of age groups from 3 to 14 years old. I also have experience working with children with disabilities. Ive always enjoyed swimming and am excited to help teach kids to swim.

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 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 Isabella P. profile Card Image

Isabella P.

Washington, District of Columbia 20015

Certification N/A

Hi! My name is Isabella. I am very passionate about swimming as I have been swimming for swim teams since May 2005. I am very familiar with all the strokes and can teach all. I am also a big advocate of water safety as I was a lifeguard and EMT for three years. I have much experience with all ages, especially children. I currently volunteer with children with disabilities, coaching them through physical exercise. I am patient and encourage each swimmer through their journey!

Instructor Christina P. profile Card Image

Christina P.

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hi, my name is Christina and I've been teaching swim lessons for 7 years with ages 1 to 70. I've also worked with children for 12 of years as a babysitter, swim instructor, camp counselor, and more. I have worked with many types of children, including those with disabilities. I went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and earned a Bachelor's degree Psychology in 2015. I love teaching swimming because I understand the importance of water safety and want to make swimming fun for all ages!

Instructor Marissa D. profile Card Image

Marissa D.

Washington, District of Columbia 20010

Sunsational Certified Since 2023

Hey everyone, my name is Marissa. I graduated from Howard University with a degree in political science and mathematics in 2022. I've been teaching swim lesson for 7 years. I have experience instructing all ages. In addition to parent-child courses and group lessons, I offer private lessons for students who prefer more one-on-one time. What I love most about my job is meeting new people and watching students make incredible progress in their swimming journey.

Instructor Ileana R. profile Card Image

Ileana R.

Washington, DC 20001

Sunsational Certified Since 2019

Hello, my name is Ileana. a rising senior at American University. I have taught swim lessons and employed as a lifeguard for more than 6 years. I've worked with kids ages 2 to 10 years old, teaching basic water skills to professional strokes and even helping fearful beginners! It is always fulfilling seeing my students' progression in the water as they learn to love the pool as much as I do.

Instructor MALIKA S. profile Card Image

MALIKA S.

Washington, DC 20001

Sunsational Certified Since 2023

Hi! I have 7 years of experience lifeguarding, coaching, and teaching swim lessons. I have worked with infants, children, and adult clients alike, from fearful beginners to those looking to refine their technique and students with special needs. I swam competitively in high school, but my passion is synchronized swimming; I competed for 10 years, including at Ohio State University. I love the water and teaching others its flow. I'm looking forward to swimming with you!

Instructor Miles H. profile Card Image

Miles H.

Bethesda, Maryland 20815

Certification N/A

Hi there! Im Miles, and Im thrilled to be your swim coach! Ive spent the last 16 years in the water. Right now, Im a college swimmer at Carnegie Mellon University, and in my most recent season, I competed in the 1650-yard freestyle finals at the NCAA Championships. I have been coaching since March 2018, doing everything from helping brand-new swimmers find their confidence to guiding experienced swimmers in their technique. Ive taught individual lessons to all ages and skill levels, and in the past, I coached a 150-member swim team. What I love about coaching is seeing my swimmers improve. Im here to cheer them on, challenge them, and make sure they have a great time getting better!

Instructor Gabriel L. profile Card Image

Gabriel L.

Washington, District of Columbia 20015

Certification N/A

Hello! My name is Coach Gabriel, and I have been teaching swimming lessons since February 2021 over several different jobs! Im excited to get a chance to continue to teach personalized swim lessons for your children!

Instructor Dominick S. profile Card Image

Dominick S.

Washington, District of Columbia 20016

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

Id be in the pool all the time if I could and felt that way since I was 5. The love of water turned to speed and afforded the ability to train with olympians and world record holders, earning myself a place alongside those exceptional athletes in the finals of the 2004 Olympic trials. Since then I appreciated the opportunity to develop swim lesson programs for an early childhood center/community center, but I feel a greater sense of accomplishment when I teach, having taught ages 3 to 72 and assistant coached a team of 250+ swimmers in middle and high school. I feel lessons are most effective when we can create a comfortable environment to encourage openness to learning, and use my experience to tailor lessons to each individual.

Instructor Blake B. profile Card Image

Blake B.

District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia 20059

Certification N/A

Hi! My name is Blake Brown, and I am a freshman at Howard University. I began swimming at 3 years old, and I fell in love with the water. When I was 6 years old, I began swimming competitively. I enjoy teaching others how to swim so that they can become as comfortable in the water as I am. I have been a teaching assistant since I was 12 years old and have been teaching my own classes since February 2021. Over the years, I have developed an eye for great technique and having fun classes.

Instructor Maya W. profile Card Image

Maya W.

Chillum, Maryland 20782

Sunsational Certified Since 2025

Hi! My name is Maya Wilson, I have swum competitively for over 10 years. I swam all 4 years at a collegiate level. While at college, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood/ Elementary education. Throughout the past 5 years, I have provided private swim lessons for kids 3-adults. I also coached swim teams in MCSL for 5 years. Swimming has been a lifelong passion of mine. I love teaching and educating individuals who desire to learn how to swim!

Instructor Erin D. profile Card Image

Erin D.

Washington, District of Columbia 20008

Certification N/A

Hi, Im Erin! I have been teaching swim lessons since February 2017 and love helping swimmers of all ages feel safe, confident, and excited in the water. As a former Division I swimmer who started competitive swimming at age 4, I have experience teaching all skill levelswhether its working through a fear of the pool or hoping to improve strokes at an elite level. My goal is to create a positive, encouraging space so you can enjoy swimming while building skills that last a lifetime! :)

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 Kristina J. profile Card Image

Kristina J.

Hyattsville, MD 20781

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hi I'm Kristina Jones. Call me Tina! I've taught & coached swimming for 9 years- children to adults, all levels, including people with a fear of water. I life-guarded 6 yrs on oceans and Great Lakes. Life-long competitive swimmer currently on a masters' team. I teach art ages pre-K to adults. BFA -the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and MPH from GWU. I see swimming as a life skill. 1st to prevent drowning. 2nd as fun life-long exercise . I like to teach swimming because I love to swim!

Instructor Renee G. profile Card Image

Renee G.

Washington, District of Columbia 20009

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

I received my bronze medallion from the Royal life-saving Society, in north London in 1992. I have taught hundreds of people to swim. I have been a passionate swimmer since I was a child, and I have been teaching swimming for 25 years. During this time, I have gained experience in teaching both adults and children of all ages. I have an in-depth knowledge of different swimming techniques and can easily adapt to cater to the needs of each individual student.

Instructor Clark W. profile Card Image

Clark W.

Washington, District of Columbia 20016

Certification N/A

Hi there! My name is Clark, and Ive worked as a swim teacher since March 2016. I love any chance I get to help new students learn how to swim or to become stronger swimmers. Ive worked with students aged 18 months to 18 years old and have taught one-on-one as well as small and large group lessons. Ive had the chance to work with students with a wide range of differing abilities and skill sets, as well as physical or neurological differences, and I always work to tailor lessons so that they can get the best possible swimming experience. Ive worked as a lifeguard, water safety instructor, and swim coach over the past decade, and I have also worked with kids outside of the pool as a math and social studies tutor during high school and college.

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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 Silver Spring, 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 Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring, where many families enjoy indoor pools, community centers or indoor lap swim, rec center lessons, 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 Silver Spring and nearby neighborhoods in Washington, DC Metro. 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 Silver Spring, 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!


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