Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Swimmin' Wessons

I love 2 year old lisps. It's an ongoing lingo between me and my husband as well as me and my mom. Talking in Braden-isms has become part of our everyday talk! So he did 2 weeks straight of swimmin' wessons swimming lessons. Anyone who thinks it's a waste of time to have your little ones in swimming lessons...is just pessimistic. I've had Braden in lessons since he was 4 months old and this was his 4th set. After about half of the lessons it used to get old...walking around the pool in a circle with your baby singing songs. BUT, Braden has always loved the water, he's never cried or fussed, and he's learning tons of valuable lessons, not just about swimming!
Top pictures from April 2012 "Duck" lessons, bottom picture August 2012 "Sea Turtle" lessons.

This set of lessons was 4 days in a row, 1/2 lesson in the morning, we got August long weekend off, then it was 4 days in a row the next week. I loved taking him every day (with Jay's help when I had to work) and Braden looked so forward to it every morning. It was nice to get in a consistent schedule with him. He remembered his teachers name and just a few days in, I didn't even have to tell him what to do, he listened to his teacher and did what he said...most of the time! He is just 2 1/2 after all!

So why put your toddlers in lessons?
  • learning structure and expectations of being in a class setting
  • learning listening skills
  • learning to follow instructions
  • learning rules of safety (no running in the pool)
  • learning how to wear a life jacket (which isn't new to him) and that they can float in them
  • being comfortable getting their face wet, blowing bubbles, and submersion under water
  • interaction with other kids their age
  • learning the basics of how to swim
His next set of lessons, which we'll probably put him in in the new year, he has the option of non-parented classes in the shallow kid's pool. I'll have to see the closer he approaches the age of 3 if he'll be ready for non-parented classes. The parents can sit right at the side of the pool to supervise and watch, but I'm not quite sure Braden will be mature enough to actually stay in one place and do what he's told! I guess only time will tell, he's certainly not there yet, he ran away (in the kid's pool) from me twice during these swimming lessons!

Have you put your kid(s) in swimming lessons? How did they/you like it?
Sarah

13 comments:

  1. Sophia LOVES swimming lessons and just being in the water. I wanted her to like the water because of the cabin and I didn't want her scared to go in, so I lucked out that she loves it. The next lessons in Beaumont are already un supervised so I think I will wait until she is 2 1/2 before registering her.......I don't think she is quite ready to go in wiout one of us.

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    1. Yes I think it's so important...we'll be at the lake every summer too so I'm glad they both love it! Braden's definitely not ready now at 2.5, but Sophia might you never know!

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  2. Swimming lessons are so good for all the above reasons and for just overall safety! I fell into my Aunt's frozen pool in my snowsuit when I was 5. Couldn't swim a lick! If it wasn't for the fact that someone was working in the backyard and happened to notice me going through the ice.... the ending might have been very different. Plus I swim like a stone, and when you're older.... it's such a great form of exercise if you know how to do it!

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    1. Yes Jay really liked the safety aspect just in case one of us wouldn't be in arms reach say in the shallow lake and he goes under he'll know a bit of what to do (which did happen August long weekend)...we were right there but he did awesome standing up on his own. I had no idea that happened to you! Good thing that you were saved! It's wonderful exercise.

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  3. I agree with you, swimming lessons are so important - and fun, too! :) Great post!

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    1. I looooooved swimming lessons as a kid, I'll always have my kids in swimming!

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  4. Totally agree! Evie is starting them this Fall them taking a refresher in the Spring!

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    1. Isn't it so exciting to see them growing into these real, little people?!

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  5. Totally agree with you. Swimming is so important. We started when Hayley was 6 months and Zane is starting soon too. H is full on swimming and I am so proud of her. I was very adamant she take swim for all our safety, whether she liked it or not. I am glad I stuck to my guns because I feel so much safer with her around a pool now.

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  6. We haven't done swimming lessons yet but plan to very soon. I practice putting her under water some, kicking, paddling ect. She really needs the structured class! You have confirmed my thoughts!

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  7. We did lessons for the first time, this summer, right after my son turned 3. They were private lessons and I actually didn't stay to watch. He did better for his teacher when I wasn't around. Weird, but I guess some kids are just like that. When we would swim together outside of his lessons, he was always practicing things he learned from his teacher. It was WELL worth the money!

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  8. We did swim lessons with both boys when they were much younger and loved it. It was a great family activity. I hope to get both of them back in the pool for lessons starting this fall. I also need to take some lessons. I was deathly afraid of the water as a kid and never really learned how to swim well. Now I feel as a mom I need to learn. Swimming was forced down my throat in a not so friendly way during elementary school as we had a pool and it was part of PE class. Taking lessons for myself is one of my goals for this year and as the year is running out I better get on it.

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  9. I know tons of people who put there kids in swim lessons, I think it's a great idea. We didn't personally because my husband use to be a swim instructor so he says he's teaching her everything she needs to know-lol. We have had her in other class type settings like Gymboree and music so far she does pretty well with following instructions.

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