Swimming Lessons for Your Toddler in O'Fallon, MO

As I write this article, the temperature has reached 95 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees and my children are enjoying the backyard pool. I can rest easy knowing they are safe and sound and having a good time because they can swim. This is not to say that they are not being supervised. They are ( isn't that what laptops are for?), but because they learned how to swim as toddlers I have confidence in their abilities.

Backyard and neighborhood pools are wonderful for these hot, humid, summer days. So, in order to keep your child safe it is important to give them a head start and provide them with basic swimming lessons when they are old enough to learn.

Beginning at the age of 3, children have the cognitive skills necessary to start formal swim lessons. In the O'Fallon, MO area there are several area programs to choose from. Here are just a few.

The Renaud Spirit Center - Located in O'Fallon, MO at 2650 Tri-Sports Circle, this 66,000 square foot facility has numerous swimming lesson options. They have a Learn-to-Swim program that will move your child up through various levels based upon successful completion of the last level completed. For toddlers 36 months and up they offer a basic beginning class that teaches water safety, kicking, floating, head submersion and jumping feet first into the water. The main requirements for this entry level class is that the child be comfortable in the water and be able to walk at least 5 yards in chest deep water. This program is taught at various days and times throughout the summer and costs $38.00 for O'Fallon residents and $44.00 for non-residents. Each class lasts approximately 35 minutes. You can sign up online at www.renaudspiritcenter.com or call them at (636) 474-2REC (2732).

O'Fallon Family YMCA- The YMCA has been a trusted provider of swim lessons for many, many years. This branch of the YMCA has a huge indoor pool that offers many different types of swim lessons for the whole family. For toddlers they offer the Pike and Eel Programs. Children will first start with the Pike Program which requires that your toddler be able to follow instructions, be able to put their face in the water and swim 5 feet front and back with a belt on. Once children have mastered these skills they can move on the Eel program where they will learn floating and swimming in a horizontal position. Both of these programs are offered in a second summer session beginning in July and each lasts about 40 minutes. The cost for the programs are $45 for members of the YMCA and $90 for non-members. The O'Fallon Family YMCA is located at 3451 Pheasant Meadows Drive in O'Fallon. You can register online at www.ymcastlouis.org or by calling the center directly at (636) 379-0092.

Progress Park-Wentzville - This facility is located just 10 minutes from O'Fallon at 1020 Meyer Rd and offers swimming lessons at their outdoor facility. They have four summer sessions beginning June 1 - August 6. The Sea Turtle class is the most appropriate class for your toddler, ages 3 and up. In this class, they will learn about entering and exiting the pool safely, kicking, floating and overall confidence with being in the water. The classes run about 45 minutes each week and cost $40 for Wentzville residents and $50 for non-residents. This pool is an outside pool, so lessons could be canceled if inclement weather is present. You can sign-up online at www.wentzvillemo.org or call the facility at (636) 639-2192.

Tips for Choosing the Right Lessons: All children develop at different rates. The classes mentioned above are for toddlers that are 3 years old. If you toddler is a little younger or has a fear of the water, it may be more beneficial to participant in a parent-child class. The facility you choose should individually evaluate each child to determine their skill and social level. A child's readiness is always more important than their age.

Keep your little ones safe and give them the knowledge they need when they are swimming in the pool by checking out the lessons in your area. Have a safe, accident-free summer!

www.renaudspiritcenter.com
www.ymcastlouis.org
www.wentzvillemo.org