Toddler swim class

leffe1

I just signed Gracie and I up for this class. Has anyone done this with your child? Just curious. The class is for 15 months to 3 year olds. They teach them drown proof techniques! This should be interesting.

pahokie

I haven't taken any classes with DD, but I used to teach a "water tots" class when I was in high school (in the South Hills, amusingly enough).  It was the first time in the water for most of the kids, so we started with things like blowing bubbles and eventually moved to a basic dog paddle-type stroke.  We used floaties most of the time, but made a point to get them in the pool without any flotataion devices so they would know what it felt like. I wouldn't say all the kids ended up drown proof, but most of them could get a few feet back to the side of the pool.

BrideBuddies

Yeah, don't expect your kid to be "drown-proof!"   It's more about having fun and playing in the water right now.

I took Charlie to a Y class when he was 16 months old.  I kinda wish I'd waited a little longer, since he really didn't get anything out of it.   Just now he will blow bubbles in the tub.  There were older kids in the class (2-3 year olds) who could understand the directions and concepts.   I think he was just too little at that point.

That being said... it was a lot of fun!

gimmietimmies

Is it like the regular lessons with songs and splashing, or the one where they teach the kids to float and flip on to their backs? I've done both. The only one not able to to the rescue technique is S, but I think we have time, lol! My kids love lessons of any kind. The rescue technique seems to be something they get good at between 2-3, but it never hurts to teach them sooner, as long as they are enjoying the water. Even if they do learn the technique, I think of it as back up instead of drown proof. E competes in swimming and I wouldn't let her swim unsupervised.

leffe1

It is the float and flip stuff...If anything it will get her in the water and around other kids! Thanks for the responses!

Pahokie-Did you grow up in Pittsburgh? The class is also in the South Hills!!

daisydana

No experience, just wanted to say good luck and I hope Gracie has fun.

SFAug07

We've been doing weekly swim classes with Sarah since she was 7 months old and she loves them. She asks to go swimming all the time...loves the water, the other children there, the singing and splashing, jumping in from the side. Lately she is following the instructions such as when to kick her feet, reach and pull etc. Have fun!

pahokie

leffe1:

Pahokie-Did you grow up in Pittsburgh? The class is also in the South Hills!!

I did. I went to Peters Township.

stever

Haven't done it but want to.

Peppernut

We haven't, but I am really interested!

Piranha54

I started with DD when she was about 6 months - the Y clases here are a combo of water safety and getting you and them comfortable together in the water.  She loves it!  I stopped when I went back to work in Nov, but we just started up again and she still loves it!  Hope you enjoy - although I too am a bit doubtful about drown proof.  Or maybe jealous

gimmietimmies

It does work to a point, if I can get T to video K next week (on holiday) in my parents pool, I can show you what they're supposed to be able to do at the end of it. Depending on how well they do, it still doesn't give much of a window though until they can actually do backstroke or freestyle, which is totally possible at age 4. L, T and E all compete, the first stroke they mastered was backstroke, which is good from a lifesaving perspective. Face out = breathing! Plus, these kids live for the water, which is why I haven't been around as much. On top of all the other crazy stuff we have going on, these kids live in the pool!