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Classes for Babies and Preschoolers Baby and Me | Toddler and Me | Pee Wee I | Pee Wee II | Swimming Pee Wee | Competitive Pee Wee Important Information for Classes for Infants and Preschoolers! Purpose of the Baby & Me (6-24 months) & Pee Wee Paddler & Me (2-5 yrs): To promote water safety knowledge and practices Aquatic adjustment and swimming readiness skills Fun and enjoyment in the water Participant socialization. You are encouraged to repeat water skills in the bathtub at home. A key component of the program is the focus on having fun. Your instructor helps the class create an environment that is stimulating, creative, playful and safe. This will be accomplished by the development of a warm and trusting relationship between parents, children and the instructor. For our Learn to Swim classes, use our online selection guidelines to determine the proper class level and current class availability. Make swimming lessons and swimming with the family a positive experience. You as a parent can help prepare your child to learn to swim by: Taking them to the pool often. Playing with them in the water. Reacting favorably if they go under the water accidentally (don’t fuss over him swallowing the water.) Getting them used to water (i.e. putting water on the face). Encouraging them to blow bubbles and hide their face in the bathtub and to lie on their back and let the water touch their ears. We recommend American Red Cross Parent Guide for Infant Pre-school aquatic program manual for parents available at the American Red Cross. This program is not designed to teach children to become proficient swimmers or even to survive in the water on their own. It will however, provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to orient your child to the water and to safely supervise water activities. RULES Babies should wear only tight plastic or rubber pants with snug fitting legs covered by a tight nylon bathing suit, there is also a new “Swim Diaper” that can be worn. NOTE: Diapers will weigh your child down and are not effective at containing waste. The Fairfax County Health Department has also made it a policy that diapers are not to be worn in the pool. For your convenience, changing tables are provided in the locker rooms. Babies should not be changed on the benches. Deposit used diapers in the swing-top waste containers placed in the locker room. Babies should not be taken into the sauna. Instead, you can provide another experience in the water and hold your baby under a warm shower. Never leave your baby unattended. You are responsible for obtaining any information from the brochure, the park or from instructors regarding holidays, vacations, class cancellations or postponements. Please refer to the snow cancellation flyer for information about weather related cancellations. Additionally, for closing and cancellation information in weather emergencies, call 703-324-8661. Skills Taught at Each Level BABY AND ME Skills taught to parents: Holding positions and when to use them Importance of cues and how to use them Rules for helping children learn and practice skills for their age group Demonstrate Rescue breathing Skills taught to to infant: Enter water Blowing bubbles Exploring pool Scooping Front float Back float – adjusting to water and readiness Kicking motion with legs Arm movement in front position Roll over (front to back & back to front) Introduction of wearing life jackets Exit water TODDLER AND ME Skills taught to parents: Holding positions and when to use them Importance of cues and how to use them Rules for helping children learn and practice skills for their age group Life jackets Safety Assists Demonstrate Rescue Breathing Skills taught to child: Enter water Use ladder – Roll from side of pool, seated at side of pool, jump in Blow bubbles Put face in the water Drafting with breathing Front float Kicking motion with legs on front Arm movement on front (circles) Back float Kicking motion with legs on back Arm movement on back (finning) Roll over (front to back & back to front) Kick up Exit water Wearing a life jacket Roll over & jumping in shallow water then swim to wall Participate in group songs and games Pool rules Discuss EMS Equipment to be introduced to Parents and Toddlers: Barbells, Kickboards, Noodles and Floatation Devices. PEE WEE I Skills taught Sitting, rolling over and sliding in* Blowing bubbles* Submerge face and blow bubbles* Front float* Front float with face submerged* Back float with ears in water* Front float with kick* Back float with kick* Stationary arm pull* Back float with finning* Front arm pull and leg kick* Rolling over* Treading water* Life jackets Jumping in and climbing out, use of ladder* Discuss pool rules Discuss personal safety Discuss EMS * Support optional PEE WEE II Skills taught Sitting, rolling over and sliding in Submerge entire face for three seconds Bob, 5 – 10 times Front float with face submerged Back float with ears in water Front float with kick Back float with kick Front alternate arm pull Back alternate arm pull Combined stroke on front, 3 yards Combined stroke on back, 3 yards Rolling over Treading water Life jackets Jumping in and climbing out, use of ladder Discuss pool rules Discuss personal safety Discuss EMS SWIMMING PEE WEE Skills taught Retrieve object from chest-deep water Bob, 15 times Prone glide Supine glide Flutter kick, front Flutter kick, back Arm stroke, front Arm stroke, back Side rotary breathing Combined stroke on front, 6 yards Combined stroke on back, 6 yards Change direction, front Change direction, back Jump into deep water and swim to wall Diving, sitting, kneeling, standing Bob to safety Tread water, 30 seconds Life jackets, HELP, huddle Pool rules COMPETITIVE PEE WEE Skills taught Streamline, front and back Flutter kick, front and back Side balancing with flutter kick Side breathing Dolphin kick Breaststroke kick Front crawl arm pull Back stroke arm pull Breaststroke arm pull Butterfly arm pull Bi-lateral breathing Front crawl, 10 - 15 yards Back crawl, 10 – 15 yards Track start, deck Relay start, deck Back stroke start Finishes, all strokes Entering feet first when not practicing starts Steering up on starts Circle swimming rules