This story has resonated with me for some time now.
This summer I set a goal for myself and Marcus. I wanted the little guy to have some pool safety skills in his tiny little pocket, you know, just in case he unexpectedly fell off a dock, or into a pool.
We have been working pretty hard all summer at getting Marcus as "water safe" as possible. He's taken swim lessons (you can read about our trial and error with that process HERE), and I've worked with him almost every day it's been possible to get in the pool.
As a swim instructor I knew this would be a process that could take some time. Swimming and water safety isn't something that is learned over night. It takes repetition and daily practice and patience.
However, I have to say, in the last week Marcus has been really connecting the dots in the pool. Things are starting to "click" for him.
Last week this was how Marcus got to the side of the pool if he fell - or in his case, jumped - into the water.
Then, yesterday, THIS happened.
I'd also be lying if I told you I thought Marcus was totally "water safe." He's not. We have a long way to go. But, it is so much more reassuring to know that the little man can get himself to the side of the pool if he accidentally fell in.
What steps have you taken to get your child(ren) as "water safe" as possible this summer? It's not too late to enroll in summer swim lessons, and it's never too early to start your kiddos!
He is too cute! Awesome little swimmer. I agree to start them early so they don't fear it later on.
ReplyDeleteI have had our son in swim classes the past 3 winters (starting when he was 9 months old) and he refuses to go under water.
ReplyDeleteWhile they do have classes for 6 months-4year olds they don't do actual lessons until they are 4 around here.
I love when these videos pop up on Instagram! I am always so impressed with his skill and your teaching! Come teach Myles!
ReplyDeleteaww that is awesome!
ReplyDeleteHoly moly! That's amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had fish for boys. I see kids younger than Aiden in swim club here and am jealous. I wish Aiden would just get it so I could feel comfortable with him going to the pool with a friend's family. And Bren, well, he's doing a little better than Aiden as this age but still, not going to the pool w/ a friend's parent yet. WTG, Marcus!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI had every intention of enrolling Hannah this summer, and then I forgot. (I feel like a bad mom.) They had a class that started this week, but it was terrible timing since we are moving and we only have one car. I am hoping there will be lessons in the Fall since it is still warm here.
He's obviously SUPER advanced for his age and totally going to be the next Michael Phelps! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so, so great! You should be bursting with pride here, very impressive.
ReplyDeleteWe start swim classes Monday, I am kind of excited and really nervous to!
Tis is great! my son is three and has no water safety abilities…we aren't near water often but still it worries me. One of the issues I have had is finding some sort of floatation device that helps. The ones I have used are less than helpful. Do you have any suggestions for those? Go ahead- be proud that is truly awesome!!!!
ReplyDeletehe's just so awesome! we did swim lessons in CO just for fun really I never thought about them as water safety. Next summer we will always be around water so I think about it a lot. I think once we are in our house we will do swim lessons again to hear up for next summer but that doesn't travh safety just skills. lots to think about. I don't want her to always just wear a life jacket bc that's a crutch but I do want her to be able to play in the water without holding mommys hand. balancing act right?
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe enrolled Mason in swim lessons this summer and I'm so happy we did. He is no where near water safe yet, but he and my husband have a blast in the pool every week. Mason HATES being on his back but through consistency every week, he is slowly getting better. It's all about repetition!