The Importance of toys at lesson time

For a girl with no kids I have quite a few bath toys! It is important to have your child feel at ease in the early years of swimming.
Rubber duckies, boats, animals, etc can help them see something that is familiar to them while in a new environment. Here is what I keep in my collection:

• Rubber duckies
• Farm animals
• Rings (mostly for older kids to get but the babies and toddlers really like to hold them)
• Submarines and boats
• Ball Pitt Balls

I bought my toys at Walmart, Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us, and the Dollar Tree.

Fish and Fins Staff reporting for duty!

These little guys I got at Walmart. They are great for the babies under a year to keep their attention and to keep crying at a minimum. 

I got these farm animals at Buy Buy Baby. My "friends" are great at showing ages 3 and under how to blow bubbles. We all blow bubbles together and when they see Piggy blowing bubbles they want to blow bubbles too :)

You do not have to buy as many toys as I have to get your child interested in the pool. Bath toys from home are a great tool because they are already familiar with them. Even holding onto them while they are in the lesson helps ease their minds as they transition into future Olympic swimmers :)

Happy Toy Hunting!!!

Katelyn Green, CTRS
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Water Safety Instructor

https://www.facebook.com/fishandfinsswimming

The Importance of the Back Float

Do you and your swimmer know the benefits of a back float? 

It can provide you with a good amount of time to REST when needed. Sometimes your swimmer will swim so much and not realize how tired he or she is getting. Getting into a back float can provide them with a good amount of time to rest, catch their breath, call out for help, or just catch some rays in the pool. See the photo below for proper back floating. Practice practice practice!

Here is a great photo of how to practice your back float with your swimmer!

Key things to remember when practicing:
1. Airplane arms
2. BIG Santa Claus tummy 
3. Legs together like a toy soldier
4 Head back to look at the clouds. (Make sure they really have their head back in the water. Their spine should be straight not curved at all at the neck) 

Thanks to my wonderful model, Devin!  Devin has been one of my swimmers since she was one and a half. She is now 4 years old.

Some tips while holding your child to make them comfortable:

• Use your shoulder as a "pillow". Have them rest their head while you hold their back close to their bottom. 
• For babies they make a V shape with their body because feel so uncomfortable but make sure you hold them tight and soon they will get the hang of it.
• Sometimes singing to your toddler while they practice the back float helps them feel comfortable. While they lay on your shoulder something soothing like their favorite song can do wonders to help calm them.
• Be patient with them. Floating is such an important skill to learn. The more you practice and remind them how important it is they will soon be floating on their own. 

GOOD LUCK!

May the float be with you :)

Katelyn Green, CTRS

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Water Safety Instructor

https://www.facebook.com/fishandfinsswimming