You all may remember when I blogged some months ago about wanting to begin the Mommy and Me swim class at our neighborhood YMCA. Chase was around three months then, which was the minimum age for enrollment, and I was so pleased to have discovered an infant swim class that started so early. I excitedly shared the news with Derek (expecting him to be equally thrilled), and he was… that is, until I told him where the classes were to be held. He very quickly vetoed this plan…
He stated that this particular Y was a "suspect" establishment and he didn't want our baby taking his lessons there (that's the kind version, lol). Apparently, in addition to offering lessons to kids, this Y also houses homeless men – lots of them. Not judging or anything, but….. Moreover, Derek described how local ne'er-do-wells can frequently be seen loitering around the building. I was of course turned-off, but also a little skeptical (since Derek has been known to exaggerate) and needed to see for myself. We visited one day and, sure enough, the area was seedy and the building rather dingy and run down. I didn't even need to go inside. I was frustrated and a little sad that swim classes had to be delayed, but Derek promised to find a more suitable venue for us.
Fast-forward several months ahead… so Derek found a really wonderful swim school near his job in mid-town Manhattan. We called them up to find out more about the program and they were super nice on the phone! What's even better is they are quite affordable. We immediately enrolled Chase in their Swimfants Class (ages 6-15 months), held Saturday mornings at 9:00 am.
Familiarity with the water
Beginning breath control
Begin submersions and back-floating
Beginning basic front crawl stroke
This
class is the introduction to the aquatic environment. Through
exploration and age-appropriate games the child learns about water
pressure and beginning breath control. This fun, structured class
facilitates the learning process through movement, sound, and tactile
stimulation. The student/teacher ratio is 6 to 1.
Well today was our first class! We arrived on time and, per instructions, made sure Chase had on his swim diaper and trunks. The temperature of the pool was 90 degrees, and I was really glad about that. I was definitely a bit nervous, because I wanted very much for Chase to enjoy the experience, but also excited. As he's gotten older he enjoys bath time more and more, but that's in a small space and with both mommy and daddy holding him securely. Chase has a "thing" about boundaries and being able to see/feel them… it's hard to describe, but he likes to feel safe and contained, in a visibly present way.
Anyway, so the class began promptly at 9:00 am (very impressed by that
- no bootleg operations over here!). There were about five other
babies and their parents (one dad, which I thought was cool!)
The other moms/dads were sooo nice and the babies so cute and confident in the water! There was a small range of ages, with Chase right in the middle. The other babies were apparently "veteran" swimmers who had been enrolled in the class last session.
Chase adapted to the pool well! This was his very first time in a pool, and he was a natural – he really seemed to be at one with the water.
Initially our instructor had indicated that she would wait to begin submersion with Chase, but he did so well that she felt comfortable going forward with it. Wow, that is when the fun really began for Chase. Derek got that first underwater submersion recorded, and you can see that, once the initial surprise wears off, he is so tickled with the experience (see video at 2:02 mark). I noticed that before the instructor (and parents) dip the baby under, they say, "1-2-3 Bubbles!" then they blow on their cheek and submerge. Little bit of classical conditioning – love it!!!
Aaaah, the entire experience was great! I'm so glad we're doing this. I think the lessons will help with his coordination and
strength as he learns to walk. And of course, it's never too early for him
to learn swimming/water safety.
I spoke with a few folks
who did similar "Mommy and Me" swimming programs, and each of them
noted that the classes seemed to foster a new found sense of
self-esteem and independence in their little ones. It seems that as a
child’s ability to freely move through the water increases so does
their sense of confidence and well-being.
I loved this class so much and it by far exceeded my expectations. I'm so looking forward to next week! Moms (and dads) if you haven't enrolled in a parent-and-me class with your little one yet…. I highly recommend it!
Whew!!! I can't believe I finally finished this post (I've been working on it, little by little, since noon today). *smile* Be sure to check out my YouTube channel, as I uploaded lots of new videos from today!
And your articles give out the pure soul of yours.It is of help during my boring work.
For get the Superbowl because, in the words of Saint Snooki:
Oh my god, fucking Christmas.
I feel like I need a cigarette now because this meeting of minds, pop culture and entertainment was so exhilarating.
I keep trying to subscribe for the feed of this blog, and it won’t let me. Keeps saying there is an Invalid character in the text of this. Can you check and fix it, or sign me up.
I like your new blog header/layout.
How SWEET!! Oh my, this is too cute! I want to do one of these one day for sure!! Love your picture too! You are the cutest mom EVER!!
I am judging the Mommy Moment for Baby Making Machine -
That is really cool! I never thought of putting my daughter in a swim class and yours sounds so fun! He is going to love it as he gets older.
Great post!
Kayce
Thanks for sharing these pictures of your beautiful little boy! I love the video when he’s processing having been under water. Too cute!
I so want to take a swim class, you guys look like you had SO much fun!
My my my…WHAT A LOAD OF FUN!!! You are having so much fun with your son dear!!!! He seem so confident in the water…he sure is enjoying himself. Thank You for sharing!!!
You are giving me ideas girl. Imma gonna go look for swimming classes in Johannesburg.
How much are the classes?
Its also nice seeing fathers in the water. I will convience hubby to try thi…he hates water..hahaa…poor thing!!!
Give Chase a BIG HUG from me!!!!
He is sooooooo clever!!!!!!!!
wow, those were a lot of videos!!! so much fun! i, too, loved his MJ curl dangling in the front of his face, lol.
i’m wondering what a swim class with toddlers would be like, because little kids can be very rambunctuous and wild at garv’s age!!
yeah, a lot of ymca’s provide free housing for homeless folks. now u have me wanting to check into the ymca up the street from us more closely, because that is where we were thinking about putting garv into lessons. the thing is, glendale is a really nice area, and i dont know where they be hiding the homeless residents, because i’ve never seen any, so i’m hoping it wont be seedy like the harlem location.
is derek ever going to be the one to take chase to class in the event it’s a time when u dont want to get into the water?
OMG, this sounds great. I wish I had enrolled Hass earlier. I’m going to get him in one ASAP. And I will be putting Naim in one around Chase’s age.
..just checked out the videos….who knew swim class could be so fun?! lol, singing songs, bouncing back and forth…must be nice, chasey! i love his facial expression in the “this is the way” video – looking all around, eyes full of curiosity, lol
LOL, omg, how cute is this!!! i remember reading the blog about the “shrimp” swim class, but i could never picture it – it’s so nice to see pictures and see the swim class come to life! (and i’m glad derek is from the area and was able to warn you about the “seedy” YMCA joint, smh, lol). anywhoo, chase is looking gorgeous as ever, and i’m loving the elvis presley curl coming down the front of his forehead, lol. you look really pretty as well!! bout to go check out the video now!
Yaki! Okay so Jariana saw the instructor showing you how to keep Chase on his back. She said ooh mommy, I saw that technique before. She showed me this clip on YouTube- baby survival, where the mom pushed the baby into the water, and the baby ended up on her back, just floating. Yeah, I am not sure I could be that bold, but I thought it was interesting and wanted to share with you.
Chase is soooooo cool! The girls and I loved watching the video. I love how Derek said Chase was protesting!!!!! It seems like he adjusted very quickly. When you all were on the pad, and the instructor was looking at and singing to Chase, I was cracking up, because it looks as though Chase was saying hey baby(in Barry White voice) my name is Chase, what cha doing. Is he a lot like his dad, because Derek cracks me up.
First off..I love Chase’s hair! LOL..Secondly..that looked like a TON of fun! It really did! I am so glad Chase and you enjoyed it. LMAO@ the description of the “hood” YMCA. LMAO!
Wonderful! I too enjoyed mommy and me swim classes. I had to go out of town as well, because our Y sounds very similar!!!! Chase will be like a little fish in no time!!!! I have to watch the videos, now!
Sounds like fun!! The mommy and me classes I took were great in that it helped me connect with some really great moms. Eight years later I am still good friends with many of them!
Enjoy
I love the idea of swim classes for the little ones. I went a little extreme and put my son in Infant Swimming Resource which teaches them the swim-float technique. I am about to enroll my daughter in the lessons as I think they are so valuable. I love your site and I will be sure to check back in often.
Awwww, what an adorable little munchkin! I always think swim classes are a great idea for children that age. Thanks so much for coming to visit us!