http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/MsCalvillo1/28927 Living in a place that has really warm summers I thought it was very important to make sure that my 2 year old son, James, knew how to swim.&nbsp; I do know that 2 years old is really young so I wasn't expecting him to be ready to compete in the Summer Olympics this year but I did want him to get somewhat comfortable in water.&nbsp; I got him registered in a program that would teach him some survival techniques in case he fell into water.&nbsp; He would work 1-on1 with the instructor for 10 minutes each day, 5 days a week.&nbsp; I had never heard of this approach before so I wanted to give it a try.&nbsp; On the first day of lessons I got him all packed and ready and we made our way over to the private home that the lessons were being held at.&nbsp; I knew my son would be reluctant to go to this stranger, especially because she was in the water.&nbsp; He cried (as he did for that entire first week) but was holding his breath under water and floating on his back by the second day.&nbsp; We were so proud of him.&nbsp; We cheered like all the other parents did while their kids were in the water.&nbsp; That was our job.&nbsp; He is now in his 4th week of lessons (his last week).&nbsp; He has learned the technique that was taught to him.&nbsp; He swims under water, turns over on his back to breath and float, then turns over again to swim until he gets to the edge/stairs/etc.&nbsp; Every time we witness him doing this we get goosebumps, it is so amazing.&nbsp; We couldn't be more proud of our lil' boy.&nbsp; We know now that this&nbsp;was money well spent.&nbsp; The ability for a young child to be able to swim is priceless.&nbsp; I encourage all parents of young children to get their kids in the water.&nbsp; Get them comfortable around it.&nbsp; It could save their lives someday. Living in a place that has really warm summers I thought it was very important to make sure that my 2 year old son, James, knew how to swim.&nbsp; I do know that 2 years old is really young so I wasn't expecting him to be ready to compete in the Summer Olympics this year but I did want him to get somewhat comfortable in water.&nbsp; I got him registered in a program that would teach him some survival techniques in case he fell into water.&nbsp; He would work 1-on1 with the instructor for 10 minutes each day, 5 days a week.&nbsp; I had never heard of this approach before so I wanted to give it a try.&nbsp; On the first day of lessons I got him all packed and ready and we made our way over to the private home that the lessons were being held at.&nbsp; I knew my son would be reluctant to go to this stranger, especially because she was in the water.&nbsp; He cried (as he did for that entire first week) but was holding his breath under water and floating on his back by the second day.&nbsp; We were so proud of him.&nbsp; We cheered like all the other parents did while their kids were in the water.&nbsp; That was our job.&nbsp; He is now in his 4th week of lessons (his last week).&nbsp; He has learned the technique that was taught to him.&nbsp; He swims under water, turns over on his back to breath and float, then turns over again to swim until he gets to the edge/stairs/etc.&nbsp; Every time we witness him doing this we get goosebumps, it is so amazing.&nbsp; We couldn't be more proud of our lil' boy.&nbsp; We know now that this&nbsp;was money well spent.&nbsp; The ability for a young child to be able to swim is priceless.&nbsp; I encourage all parents of young children to get their kids in the water.&nbsp; Get them comfortable around it.&nbsp; It could save their lives someday. en-us <p>You must be talking about ISR! Congrats :)</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/MsCalvillo1/28927/#c_262224 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/MsCalvillo1/28927/#c_262224 <p>You must be talking about ISR! Congrats :)</p> <p>Yes, we've had our kiddo in swim lessons since she was 1.&nbsp; She holds her breath so well, and she knows how to get to the side of a pool - priceless.&nbsp; However, that does&nbsp; not mean I ever let her go in the water unsupervised.&nbsp; In fact, she still must have an adult in the water with her (she's 3 now).</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/MsCalvillo1/28927/#c_262268 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/MsCalvillo1/28927/#c_262268 <p>Yes, we've had our kiddo in swim lessons since she was 1.&nbsp; She holds her breath so well, and she knows how to get to the side of a pool - priceless.&nbsp; However, that does&nbsp; not mean I ever let her go in the water unsupervised.&nbsp; In fact, she still must have an adult in the water with her (she's 3 now).</p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS">I feel it's&nbsp;SOO important to teach each and every child how to swim...the younger the better!&nbsp; That's so amazing to see your kids learn to swim and get out of the pool SAFELY and without freaking out!!&nbsp; Good for&nbsp;you!!&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS">Both of my boys began lessons at about 1 year.&nbsp; We moved into our house with a pool last year, and I&nbsp;insisted on having a 5 foot&nbsp;locked fence AND have the child proof net also installed before we could move in.&nbsp; The fence is not enough in my opinion!&nbsp; This year, our youngest is finally comfortable jumping in and swimming to the side (he turned 4 in&nbsp;April).&nbsp; Our 6 year old swims well and will jump in&nbsp;the deep end and swim to&nbsp;the shallow end, dive for&nbsp;rings, etc.&nbsp; He's a natural &quot;fish&quot; like&nbsp;I was.&nbsp;&nbsp;The rule in our house is....no one is in the pool area alone - ever!&nbsp; The gate is locked when we leave the area, and only mom or dad have access to the pool key.&nbsp; Even though we&nbsp;have relaxed a little around the pool - I still make sure it is locked up and the net is on at the end of the swim season...we have relented and left it off during the heat&nbsp;of&nbsp;summer.&nbsp; Unless, we are leaving town&nbsp;or having guests that can't swim.&nbsp; Even as teens and adults, you still need to stress you don't swim alone - accidents happen at any age.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/MsCalvillo1/28927/#c_262401 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/MsCalvillo1/28927/#c_262401 <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS">I feel it's&nbsp;SOO important to teach each and every child how to swim...the younger the better!&nbsp; That's so amazing to see your kids learn to swim and get out of the pool SAFELY and without freaking out!!&nbsp; Good for&nbsp;you!!&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS">Both of my boys began lessons at about 1 year.&nbsp; We moved into our house with a pool last year, and I&nbsp;insisted on having a 5 foot&nbsp;locked fence AND have the child proof net also installed before we could move in.&nbsp; The fence is not enough in my opinion!&nbsp; This year, our youngest is finally comfortable jumping in and swimming to the side (he turned 4 in&nbsp;April).&nbsp; Our 6 year old swims well and will jump in&nbsp;the deep end and swim to&nbsp;the shallow end, dive for&nbsp;rings, etc.&nbsp; He's a natural &quot;fish&quot; like&nbsp;I was.&nbsp;&nbsp;The rule in our house is....no one is in the pool area alone - ever!&nbsp; The gate is locked when we leave the area, and only mom or dad have access to the pool key.&nbsp; Even though we&nbsp;have relaxed a little around the pool - I still make sure it is locked up and the net is on at the end of the swim season...we have relented and left it off during the heat&nbsp;of&nbsp;summer.&nbsp; Unless, we are leaving town&nbsp;or having guests that can't swim.&nbsp; Even as teens and adults, you still need to stress you don't swim alone - accidents happen at any age.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</p>