Is your little one gearing up for swim classes? Or maybe it’s been on your mind but you have zero idea of what to expect, which can be scary as a parent. I’m here to break down our time at Safety First PediAquatics in Saint Cloud, Florida and be your resource!
All opinions are of my own, I know swim lessons, especially the swim float swim methods can be jarring for littles AND parents, so I hope these weekly blog posts of what to expect and how Rome’s lessons for going for him, help you feel at ease when signing your kiddo up! Swim lessons are SO important.
This is not our first time at Safety First PediAquatics! Our daughter went through the process when she was three years old, in just four short weeks she had the abilities to help herself in case she found herself in water, and after maintenance classes for her, she was swimming with big arms and like a FISH!
The swim float swim courses are 4-6 weeks depending on your child’s comfort level and experience in the water. There are also maintence, refresher and soon they will be launching ADULT swim classes! Below is a link that will take you straight to the website of Safety First PediAquatic’s enrollment page, but I highly recommend giving them a follow on instagram or facebook, or calling directly as they are running sign up specials, frequently!
https://safetyfirstpediaquatics.com/enroll
The state of Florida just passed a bill that will give $500,000 in funds a year to provide swim vouchers through state funded insurance programs to hand out that will be $200 per child! The approved facilities for this are facilities that are certified through the Florida Department of Health! To see if you qualify, you should contact your insurance provider directly! If you do qualify, you will pay the costs upfront, you’ll then receive an invoice from SafetyFirst PediAquatics or another approved facility, you’ll send that into your insurance and then will receive reimbursement.
Florida is a top state for unintentional drownings, from locals to people visiting, it is inevitable that we will see reports popping up on the news, and each time it’s so heartbreaking. Although we have safety measures in place at our home and around our pool, it’s not enough. It happens so quickly, my husband and I find it so important that our kids have the skills to help themselves in case the worst case scenario were to happen where they find themselves by or in a body of water.
Let’s get into what to expect for your first week of lessons and how Rome’s went!!
When you enroll you will have to do some paperwork, it’s recommended to do it online, but if not they can take payment and your paperwork at the front office! In this room, there is a viewing window and a tv that streams a live feed to the pool. You are able to watch through those, or inside of the pool area. There are also items for purchase, rashguards, goggles, swim diapers and more.
There are also changing tables and dressing rooms next to the pool for your convenience.
If your child is not potty trained they will be required to be in a swim diaper, and swim diaper cover. I have the ones I purchased for Rome linked below. They just snap right over the disposable swim diaper. Make sure to thoroughly read your paperwork and enrollment faq’s because there are certain to do’s and do not’s before swim class such as eating, drinking ect!
https://amzlink.to/az07Qwsy9wIp5
Okay on to the lessons!!! Yay! First of all, the instructors at Safety First are AMAZING. The lead instructor, Mrs. Rebecca Bond Abele, has training certification through the Pedia Swim Academy. Becky has certified her own instructors through the incorporated Safety First Pediaquatics program.
I can’t say enough good things about each instructor. Ms. Trisha has taught our daughter and we are thrilled that she now has our son and even though it’s one on one with her, the other instructors make each kiddo feel at home. You really are signing up your kiddo with the best of the best in Central Florida.
Rome has never (I’m talking since he was a tiny baby) liked getting his head wet, I knew what he was in for, but he of course did not. Knowing that about him, I figured that his first few lessons would be rough on him, as they do put your child underwater starting in their first lesson. BUT they start them off easy, if your child is old enough they’ll walk up the stairs and down into the pool, if not you’ll hand them off on the poolside stool and the instructor will hold them and take them in.
Ms. Trisha started by taking Rome in the middle of the pool, and letting him grab a few toys to keep it fun. They then went over to the side of the pool, she sat him up and explained a little of what was going to happen, I loved how she incorporated Mickey and Donald into this, showing Rome how he will hold his breath, close his mouth and swim in a little circle off the stool and back to. He came home telling us how Donald held his breath to swim lol. They will walk your kiddo through each thing that is going to happen to make them aware of each step and new skill!
They will introduce them to the float position as well in the first lesson. I will say my daughter did not cry at all, she LOVED being there, Rome didn’t enjoy it but spoiler alert, we just ended today’s lesson and there were VERY minimal tears, which is night and day from his first lesson. We are already making progress in not just his skills, but him being comfortable in the water, which is HUGE!
It is all about repetition, you will see a lot of your little one doing the same thing over and over! As I’ve already been through the process it is so cool to see the whole thing start to finish, what they can learn in just four weeks from 10 minutes a day is so cool to watch, but also knowing you’re doing the best thing for them especially going into spring, summer and travel season where so many will be by the water.
We just finished our last day of his first week, and what a difference already!! Monday he cried through almost his whole lesson, and yelling for me, today there was maybe one cry out and the rest he just did what he was being taught without tears! He’s already kicking his little feet, learning to swim and to reach for the nearest step in the pool and learning the float position well. He loves floating and taking turns watching the littles next to him as well.
I’ll be back next week with another weekly update and to share what he’s learned and how it went! Like I said I am a resource for you, so if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me on my socials, if I don’t have the answer I will get one for you through Safety First PediAquatics!
SAFETY FIRST PEDIAQUATICS ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/safetyfirstpediaquatics?igsh=MW5uZXc3NWl5dXRkdg==
SAFETY FIRST PEDIAQUATICS ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/safetyfirstpediaquatics
SAFETY FIRST PEDIAQUATICS ON TIK TOK:
