Swimming Lessons

Alisa went to her first swimming lesson today at the YMCA! Craig and I both went with her because it is a parent & baby class. It is mostly about just getting Alisa used to being in the water (since she's so young). Alisa has been in a pool only twice before, but it helped because she didn't cling to either of us like she clung to me the 1st time she was in a big pool.

The lesson began with us sitting on the ledge with our legs dangling over, which put Alisa in about an inch of water. Then we held Alisa in the water and later passed her back and forth to get her used to the sensation of moving through the water. The class sang a few songs with motions ("If You're Happy and You Know It" and "The Wheels on the Bus", which Alisa knows from music class and library story time) and played a game adapted for the water ("Red Light, Green Light", where you kick faster for green, slower for yellow and stop kicking for red). The older kids responded better to the songs and games, but Alisa did enjoy the songs and watching everyone. She also kicked her legs here and there and tried to blow bubbles in the water. We were so glad she didn't cry and was pretty comfortable in the water.


After the lesson was over we stayed in the pool for half an hour (until the next lesson began and we had to get out). The water was nice (heated, so it wasn't too cold) and since we don't have a membership to the YMCA we wanted to maximize our time there under the swim lesson fee.