Swimming Lessons

Aiden had his second session of swimming lessons this week. Aiden loves swimming, but really doesn't like getting his face wet. More, he DOESN'T like putting his face underwater! Josh and I thought that a couple sessions of swimming lessons without either of us in the water with him would really help him out. Boy, did it pay off! He still will not voluntarily put his face in the water or go under water on his own, but he doesn't freak out when his face gets wet, and if he is jumping in he is okay if he goes under a little. In general, he is more comfortable in the water. Mr. Ballard, Aiden's instructor, is a retired teacher and also a swim coach. Aiden got along with Mr. Ballard really well and absolutely LOVED him. Mr. Ballard had the kids back floating and jumping in with noodles, kickboards, and even on their own. They would kick on their own across the pool with the noodles or kickboards. They would go underwater to grab diving sticks and rings (Aiden would pick up the sticks or rings with his hands without going under since the water wasn't that deep, or he would "be a monkey" as Mr. Ballard says and pick them up with his toes)! Aiden had a great time and is hopefully on his way to becoming a little swimmer!

Waiting for lessons to begin!

Doing the back float. Mr. Ballard would just hold onto the back of Aiden's head and Aiden did the rest!

Ready to jump in with the kickboard.

Kicking across the pool with the kickboard.

On your mark, get set, JUMP!

JUMP!

Now here is a really good jump, and all by himself too! Mr. Ballard isn't close at all!

Kick, kick, kick to the other side.

Mr. Ballard usually stayed pretty close to Aiden as he kicked across the pool, but Aiden usually did all the work on his own. Mr. Ballard was just there for Aiden's comfort.

Jumping to Mr. Ballard. He would then hold onto Mr. Ballard's shoulders and kick across.

Another jump.

I think this is one of Aiden's favorite parts. At the end of swimming lessons, they take a little "nap" on their noodles as they back float all by themselves!

Aiden is relaxing on his noodle at naptime!