If you have been a regular reader you will know I am a massive fan of swimming for kids and will know I class it as a major life skill for everyone.
At the beginning of January Jacob went on his first ever baby swimming lesson with EMSA as part of our Konfidence ambassadorship. Unfortunately however we were unable to carry on with lessons as underwent major abdominal reconstructive surgery that lead to months of being unable to lift Jacob never mind take him swimming.
I am amazingly grateful that Konfidence remained by our sides and have supported us to get to this stage but I am thrilled to say that last week we finally got started on Jacobs full swimming lessons!
We are very lucky to have a wonderful venue and teacher for Jacob and with super small class sizes it’s such a great engaging environment.
This year on holiday Jacob showed his true love of swimming and became an utter water baby. He cries when you take him from the pool and would love to spend the entire day submerged in water of any kind so I knew he would love his swimming lessons just as much.
During his first visit last week we arrived and I sensed his excitement as soon as we took our shoes off.
We headed to the changing rooms and I then knew he was excited to get in there, and the cries of frustration at not being allowed in till Sally our teacher was ready only proved that.
Not happy having to wait to get into the pool!
What I adore about these baby lessons is that there is only ever 3 babies in the pool at any one time and I think it makes for a lovely laid back feel. Jacob’s class mates are another little boy about the same age who I think has been going a little while and a slightly older little girl who’s first time it was in the water.
Initially Jacob was a little clingy but soon warmed up, especially to Sally and he began really settle into it.
The singing and rhymes that are attached to the mini tasks are wonderful and all only last a few minutes each so if the babies are not settled with it they soon move on and there is no forcing them to take part as each baby in the class takes it at their own speed.
Jacob loves being in the water but he is a massive control freak so being on his back in the water in the past has been a no go. During our first lesson Sally explained the importance of babies and children learning to float on their back.
I had never really thought of it before but it makes sense. If you are in trouble in the water, floating on your back frees up your mouth and face and you can shout for help … How did I never know this or even consider this?
Jacob is certainly going to need lots of support on this task as he wasn’t keen. However the water in the face is not an issue as he is more than happy to get water in his face above and below the pool and cried when we moved on to do others tasks!
I honestly can’t wait to see how her progresses over the next few months!
Watch this space!
Disclaimer: This post was written as part of my ambassadorship with Konfidence. All thoughts and opinions were independently formed.
When my youngest son started swimming lessons, he was asked to wear a pair of socks and then try to kick them off