Well, once again, we're trying swimming lessons, but after last year's disaster of doing the Water Babies class for the second time, where Anna refused to do anything but play on the stairs for the entire 40 minute class, we decided that perhaps a slightly different approach was in order. Maybe a little more one-on-one attention from someone other than Mom or Dad might be more successful. So we find ourselves at the local YMCA having semi-private lessons once a week with our best swimming buddy Jill. (Classes aren't offered for kids under 3.)
The girls seemed to take to their very young teacher right away. For Anna, I'm sure that this can be attributed, at least in part, to the fact that their home base for the class is her favorite pool location, the stairs.
Practicing the three essential swimming moves: kicking, moving her arms, and blowing bubbles. We have learned that it appears to be pretty much impossible for a 2-year-old to do three things at once. When one starts, the other two pretty much cease altogether.
All is well unless the face (the eyes in particular) gets wet. Both Anna and Jill make it known to their teacher during each class that they do NOT want to go under water. (This happened during the very first class and was apparently traumatic for both of them.)
Practicing floating on their backs.
Anna was a champ at this during our first swim class when she was about 9 months old, but it's all gone downhill. Her little stiff body just won't relax!
Learning how to "dive."
Arms up!
On your starting blocks!
Practicing arm strokes.
Waiting patiently for her turn. (Okay, in reality, she's procrastinating. Whenever the teacher asks who wants to go first practicing a certain skill, Anna always points at Jill!)
Trying to escape from the pool. Getting full participation each lesson has required several bribes. There's usually ice cream involved.
Each class ends with a safety lesson: 1. Always swim with a grown-up. 2. Don't run on the pool deck. 3. If you fall in the pool, yell, "Help!"
I'm not sure we're going to be any closer to actually swimming by the end of our six lessons, but at least we're having fun. Right?
Well they are super cute in their swimsuits if nothing else!!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for ice cream bribes, where in the world would we be without them! Our swim lessons start in May, should be interesting as there was LOTS of crying involved last year, but also lots of progress, so we'll see. Great that Anna & Jill can learn to swim together...fun memories to have when they are older!
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