Maya, my 7-year-old, just started swimming lessons last weekend. Her first session went even better than I expected. The progress she made in that short 45-minute class was impressive! She went from holding her nose at the beginning of the lesson, to blowing bubbles for a while, and then keeping her head under water for 10-15 seconds (without pinching her nose!) only a half hour later! I was amazed by what I saw. I think it’s all about timing it right and making sure you put your kids in the right level, which the swimming instructor can help you with, of course.
According to the Red Cross, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for kids between the ages of 1 and 14 years old. Children 1 to 4 most often drown in home swimming pools.
This is why – regardless of whether your kids are taking formal swimming lessons or not – it’s SO important to cultivate their swimming skills from an early age. SwimWays makes this as easy as 1, 2, 3! with their Swim Steps program.
SwimWays’ Swim Steps
- Swim Step 1 is an introduction to water, focusing on the importance of keeping kids comfortable and happy so that they learn to love the water!
- Swim Step 2 is all about exploration and developing confidence. Lots of paddling and splashing, and just general silliness.
- Swim Step 3 is when you want your kids to feel empowered but still give them a little support.
SwimWays creates products that go along with each step. Products that kids really want to use and that make learning to swim fun! Maya, for instance, is really loving the Sea Squirts Swim Assist right now. The super comfy vest includes something called Bouyancy Technology, which helps kids achieve the right swimming positioning. The flexible fin is fun and comfortable, since it folds back when kids are sitting. Available in Orca, Blue Dolphin, Pink Dolphin, or Clown Fish designs, this product is geared towards kids 2-9 years old and retails for $22.95. Maya calls herself the “Pink Shark” LOL!
National Learn to Swim Day
National Learn to Swim Day – May 19 – was created by SwimWays as an effort to raise awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim and provide parents with the necessary resources to teach their kids this important skill. Go celebrate this day by signing your kids up for swimming lessons, visiting your local YMCA, or go swimming in your backyard pool, if you have one! For more information and great resources on swimming, please visit www.TeachMeToSwim.com.
As for us, we’ll be going to the pool on Saturday to practice what Maya learned last Sunday, before her next lesson. Unfortunately Maura wasn’t able to get off the waiting list. I highly recommend paying attention to registration dates… I learned my lesson. Swimming classes are in high demand!
I love the little shark fin on that! My boys just learned how to swim last year. One of them actually took swim lessons that were donated to his elementary school’s whole 3rd grade. They took all the 3rd graders once a week for 6 weeks and that made all the difference in the world for him!
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