Swim Extravaganza

While regular school is out of session, our daycare center takes a break from some of their pre-K academics. The kids do lots of arts and crafts, cooking projects, and play in the water. Kids under three get sprinkler time a few days a week, and Elizabeth gets to swim every day, since the center has a pool on site. Their school also teaches swim lessons, and we figured it would be a good idea for the girls to hone their water skills. Elizabeth was getting pretty comfortable in the water last summer, and could hold her breath while gliding underwater a few feet, so we were hoping that she would actually start swimming on her own after a round of lessons.

She did great! Not quite swimming on her own by the end of class, but way more comfortable in the water. Jumping in, floating, and she could jump in and swim as far as one breath would take her. If she wasn't at the side or couldn't touch the bottom after one breath then she panicked, but most of the kids in her class were in the same boat. Remarkably, she is now swimming on her own! I took the kids to the pool the last two weekends and on Saturday it just clicked for her. She can now swim back and forth across a pool without any assistance. She loves telling me how she doesn't need a floaty anymore.

Ava on the other hand thinks she can swim by herself but she can't. "Mama, I can swim all by myself." She keeps taking off her floaties and jumping into the pool. No fear. She can just barely kick herself to the surface. I have to admire her persistence and effort. Swim lessons were great for her. She will now jump in the pool unassisted, let me help her float on her back, and swim short distances under water. Once she can figure out how to use her arms and legs together, I think she will have it.