Swimming Lessons!!! Puddle Jumpers I

We've been wanting to get Megan into an activity so we decided to start with swimming lessons first.  We're not sure if we want to do dance, gymnastics, karate or something completely different but she for sure will need to learn how to swim.  I was thrilled to find a Sunday evening class which works perfectly with our summer schedule since we are always so busy on weeknights - another thing to consider when thinking about other activities as well.

Megan's first swimming lesson was on Father's Day and she is in the Puddle Jumpers 1 class which is for 3-4 year olds.  We've had three lessons so far and the pictures below are from the first two.  Megan is having a blast and loves every minute of being in the water.  Her instructor, Lanie, is wonderful with the kids, is very patient and well respected.  It's a hard age to teach but the kids are having fun.  There are four kids in Megan's class so the perfect class size for that age group.

Each week Lanie starts out with getting the kids wet little by little with the watering can.  Megan has had plenty of exposure to the pool but you have to start out with the basics.  She waters their legs, elbows, and heads.  Then the kids have to get themselves wet by putting their mouth, ears, nose, and forehead in the water.  Lanie even has them blowing bubbles and Megan's been enjoying practicing that in the bathtub too!

Once in the water Lanie alternates activities with the kids individually.  Activities include trying to float and kicking on their back and front with instructor support.  Eventually, I think the kids will just have support of the floating devices.  They are learning some crawl arm motions and also the Tickle-T-Touch routine.  I also have to add that Megan is a powerful kicker - just have to get her to keep her legs straight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And each week at the end of class Lanie throws toys into the shallow end of the pool for the kids to practice retrieving them.  Of course they love it and it gives them a chance to move around in the water by themselves and build confidence.  

The only problem we have is trying to get Megan to leave peacefully.  Funny, but she actually wants to play in the pool after swim lessons before going home!  She also really wants to jump into the big pool and must think that she's an expert swimmer already.  Lessons learned are to make sure we go p**p before class.  The water is just too relaxing and we need to spend our time in the water instead of in the bathroom!

Overall Megan loves her class and we are glad she's able to go!