Swimming for tots should begin as soon as possible, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org), but just because kids know how to swim doesn’t mean they can be unattended in the water.
That same message has been taught for years in Infant Swim Resource (ISR) classes — programs designed to teach children as young as 6 months old life-saving skills in the water through daily one-on-one sessions lasting only 10 minutes with a Certified ISR Instructor. ISR classes see to it that children learn to hold their breath underwater, roll onto their back, float unassisted, and rest and breathe until help arrives. Older children are taught a swim-float-swim technique as they make their way to the edge of a pool. Children first learn to perform these tasks while in swim diapers or swim trunks, then they learn the same skills while fully clothed, so they learn what it feels like should they accidentally tumble into a pool. Find local instructors at infantswim.com.
Many area pools offer parent/child swim lessons that encourage babies and toddlers to become comfortable in the water, teaching them basic skills like floating, and preparing them for formal swim lessons.
Mommy & Me Swim Classes at area facilities!
Cincinnati Recreation Commission Aquatics Division
• Dunham Otto Armleder Pool, 4356 Dunham Lane, 513-251-0150
• Mt. Washington Pool, 1715 Beacon St., 513-232-5621
• Mt. Adams Pool, 966 Mt. Adams Circle, 513-421-5073
cincinnati-oh.gov/crc/pages/-4993-/
Parent/Child Aquatics are designed for ages 6 months – 3 years and aim to build swimming readiness while children and parents enjoy the water together.
Cincinnati Sports Club
5535 Murray Ave. • 513-527-4000 • cincinnatisportsclub.com
Parent/Child swim clinics are held on Saturdays at 11 a.m. for ages 6 – 36 months for members. The class teaches parents how to teach their children to swim, how to be comfortable in the water, and to prepare children for Level 1 swim lessons.
Kids First Sports Center
7900 E. Kemper Road • 513-489-7575 • kidsfirstsports.com
Offering a “Just You and Me Kid” series of classes broken into three age groupings (3 – 12 months, 13 – 24 months and 25 – 36 months). Focus is on water comfort, and preparing children for independent swimming.
Mayerson JCC (photo)
8485 Ridge Road • 513-761-7500 • jointhej.org
AquaBabies/AquaTots is for ages 6 months – 3 years and a parent. The goal of the course is to help infants and toddlers become comfortable in the water and learn basic swimming skills.
Mercy Health HealthPlex
• Anderson, 7495 State Road, 513-624-1871
• Fairfield, 3050 Mack Road, 513-682-1212
• Western Hills, 3131 Queen City Ave., 513-389-5600
mercyhealthplex.com
Offers infant/child and parent swim lessons for ages 6 months to 4 years. Parents learn to teach their child to swim. Classes include the basics of water comfort, water submersion and safety in the warm water pool. Classes progress to teach beginner swimming skills and prepare children for group swim lessons. Each HealthPlex offers different length programs at different rates.
UC Rec Center
2820 Bearcat Way • 513-556-0604
uc.edu/reccenter/programs/aquatics/youthlessons.html
This class for parents and ages 6 – 36 months teaches little ones to become comfortable in and around the water (infants must be able to sit up on their own before taking this class, and swim diapers are required) and helps parents learn to supervise water activities safely.
YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
Multiple locations • myy.org
Parent/child classes are taught as water adjustment classes for ages 6 – 36 months. Parents learn to be safe with their child in the water, but also learn to help children gain basic water skills.