Parent and Child Aquatics
For ages 6 months through 3 years old
People are naturally attracted to water and babies and toddlers are no exception so it is important for families to learn to be safe in, on and around the water early. In the Parent and Child class, parents will work with their little fishies to gain comfort in the water. Parents will specifically learn safety skills and improve their own awareness of how to keep their family safe around water. The little swimmers will work on exploring the aquatic environment and building comfort in the water.
There is NO possible way to drownproof an infant, a toddler, a young child, an older child or even an adult. This class will only teach comfort and safety in the water, but cannot teach these young children to actually swim. There are two levels of Parent and Child lessons but we will teach the class together in order to have enough participants. As the little fishies progress, we will add the additional skills of the second level to the class.
The participation of a parent or an adult that the little swimmer trusts is required for this class. This adult should be very comfortable in waist to chest deep water, but does not have to be able to swim. These lessons are 30 minutes in length, and are offered in the evenings when parents are available to come to class. Everyone needs to wear a swim suit, and babies need to wear a swim diaper under their swim suit. (Regular diapers will burst in the swimming pool so it is important to wear the proper type in the pool.)
Parent and Child course objectives include:
· Learning to expect adult supervision when near water and ask for permission before entering the water
· Learning how to enter and exit the water in a safe manner
· Feeling comfortable in the water
· Explore submerging to the mouth, nose and eyes completely
· Explore buoyancy on the front and back positions
· Change body positions in the water with support
· Perform combined stroke on front and back with assistance
· Glide on the front and back with assistance
· Learn basic water safety rules and how to avoid water safety hazards around the home
· Learn about the importance of wearing a life jacket and experience wearing one
· Learn how to stay safe in, on and around the water, including knowing how to stay safe in the sun and how to avoid recreational water illnesses
· Learn how to call for help and the importance of knowing first aid and CPR
· Learn how to avoid overexposure to direct sunlight
Prerequisites for Parent and Child Aquatics:
· Be at least 6 months old
· Have a trusted adult in the water with each child
