More About: Sylvie Dumaine

Beginning in 1998, I performed nightly in Cirque du Soleil's premiere water show for 18 years. I have been a synchronized swimmer since the age of 7, and have competed and coached internationally. I graduated from the University of Montreal with a B.S. in Physical Education for children, where I taught water activities to children with special needs.

I am now the mother of 2 beautiful girls. My love for water has transitioned from the stage to teaching the ISR technique to infants and children.

I have been a Certified ISR Instructor for 11 years, teaching over 800 children. I am excited to expose youngsters to the ISR Self-Rescue technique, and I am committed to ISR's mission of "Not One More Child Drowns."

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FAQs
What is the American Academy of Pediatrics position on swimming lessons for young children?
The AAP encourages parents to consider that starting water-survival skills training at an early age must be individualized, based on the child's frequency of exposure to water, emotional maturity, physical limitations and health concerns related to swimming pools. You can view their policies and suggestions through the AAP website here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at- play/Pages/Swim-Lessons.aspx
What other benefits does the ISR lesson experience provide students?
Every child is unique. However, many parents report that once their young children have mastered learning to swim, the resulting confidence in their abilities engenders a positive self-concept that is often demonstrated in other aspects of their personalities. There are also obvious health and other psychological gains.
If more frequent but shorter lessons are better, then why don’t you teach 7 days/week?
Everyone needs a little break from learning to process the information and in this case to give muscles a chance to recover. In addition, you need to be able to spend time with your family, as does your instructor. Weekends are family time. Periodically, if weather or other issues have cause lessons to be canceled for numerous days, your instructor may choose to offer make-up lessons on a weekend. This is strictly up to the instructor and based on the availability of parents.
How do you teach them to hold their breath?
Breath holding skills are taught beginning with the first lesson. We shape breath control using highly effective positive reinforcement techniques. We continue to reinforce these breath-holding techniques throughout every lesson.

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