QUARTERLY Newsletter – August
COMPASSION-EMPOWERMENT-FAMILY-EXCELLENCE
424 Vosseller Ave, Bound Brook, NJ 08805 – 732-560-8000
www.swimldsa.com
PROCESS VS. OUTCOME PRAISE
One of the keys to becoming a successful person is to have an
internal fire to achieve one’s aspirations, however we measure
them. Any child will accomplish more when it is THEIR idea rather
than mom’s or dad’s. A major difference in developing
achievement minded kids is recognizing the difference between
praising their efforts versus praising their achievements,
By praising their effort, a parent is reinforcing the child’s process to
be successful rather than praising an outcome that can put pressure
and even guilt upon a child if they aren’t able to duplicate the
same result each time. Learning to swim safely and proficiently is a
wonderful training ground for developing goal minded kids with an
internal fire. They can strive for our tangible goals of ribbons, pins,
and movement to the next group. But more importantly is their own
process of learning how to listen, apply what the coach says and
create an outcome of success that is all their own.
Upcoming Events
(Calendar at LDSA)
August 22
Annual Break For Facility
Maintenance (only ¾ of
August tuition billing)
Staff Training Period
September 6
Classes Resume
September 7
Swim Team Tryouts at BAC
AUGUST 22-SEPTEMBER 5 BREAK
September 6-12
We will be on our annual break for about two weeks at the end of
American Swimming
Coaches Association World
Clinic, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
August, from the 22 to September 5. This will allow us some time to
do facility maintenance and have a staff retreat on teaching. It
also coordinates nicely with many families who are away on
vacation prior to the start of school. Each class day will be offered
Our Calendar Is Generally Up
To Date at Least 6 months in
Advance here:
three classes in the month. August tuition will be prorated with only
¾ billed Your class enrollment continues into September at the
same time unless you request otherwise.
CALENDAR FROM LDSA
Page 1 of 4
LDSA OPENS MONDAY CLASSES IN BOUND BROOK FACILITY
In September, LDSA will begin classes in the Bound Brook Facility. This
will allow us to offer 3-5 classes simultaneously so that students can
progress from one level to the next with greater likelihood of keeping
a similar schedule. It also takes advantage of utilizing our state of the
art facility.
In September we will stop using the Clarion Hotel in Somerset for classes.
SWIMMING AS PIANO CONSISTENT BREEDS MAGIC
This wonderful presentation on what takes place in learning to play piano compares
exactly to the steps that take place in learning to swim safely and proficiently. Click on to
see this GREAT Ted Talk.
HOW TO WATCH THE OLYMPIC SWIMMING ON TV AND THREE QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

Will this be the lowest medal total for the USA since 1988?

Will Katie Ledecky (USA) win four gold medals making her the most
decorated female swimmer since Shane Gould in 1972?

Will Michael Phelps win four or five more gold medals? Can he do it

as a father in his 30s?
How is My Child Doing?
We have an internal tracking system that we update every 4-8 classes looking for skill mastery.
(Unfortunately the IT system we’re using doesn’t provide parents a look at it through the parent
portal. We wish it did!) Each instructor is on alert for when a student approaches achieving their
final few skills before advancing to the next level class. They take pride in seeing students move
forward. When we feel a move is imminent we will let parents know either on the pool deck or
through an email. At that point we can begin looking for a class that will work for your family.
The easiest way for us to respond to ‘hows my child doing?” is asking a supervisor on the pool deck
(not a lifeguard), or email us in the “parent communication” form at www.swimldsa.com.
Page 2 of 4
(Continued, How’s My Child Doing?) We have an internal tracking
system that we update every 4-8 classes looking for skill mastery.
(Unfortunately the IT system we’re using doesn’t provide parents a
look at it through the parent portal. We wish it did!) Each instructor
is on alert for when a student approaches achieving their final few
skills before advancing to the next level class. They take pride in
seeing students move forward. When we feel a move is imminent
we will let parents know either on the pool deck or through an
email. At that point we can begin looking for a class that will work
for your family.
The easiest way for us to respond to ‘hows my child doing?” is
asking a supervisor on the pool deck (not a lifeguard), or email us
in the “parent communication” form at www.swimldsa.com.
SKILL PROGRESSION
The combination of an instructor’s subtle drive, the parent’s
patience and a child’s attention are key elements to learning
Page 3 of 4
swimming skills. Each of our group lesson levels have 10 skills that we want our students to master in
order to progress to the next level of the academy. For most students an average of 3-4 classes to
master a skill is common. But all children learn at the own pace.
We begin with air control, then body balance, and finally propulsion. Just as each skill is a building
block to the next skill, each level in the Little Dolphins Swim Academy is essential to excellence at
the next one.
Just like learning a musical instrument, how skilled a child will become is commitment by the
parent and the child.
Page 4 of 4