Swimming (ie. Water Comfort) and Parental Lessons

I signed up Asher and I for swim lessons because I though it would be a fun activity for us to enjoy with a bit more structure. We enjoyed the lessons about 50% of the time as I have much to learn about class preparation and age appropriateness. Here's a run down of some things I learned:

1) Asher likes to watch people before he jumps into an activity, he did best when we would arrive half an hour early so he could play on the bleachers and see people in the water

2) When Asher was in the in-between one and two naps stage still, Monday's were hard because he would want to take that second nap (Church was throwing him off) which was right before swim class. I think I should have waited until he was just a few months older

3) It's not necessary for my child to learn how to hold his breath when he's only 16 months old. I put him completely under the water once as the instructor said to and afterwards thought, "This will make him more scared of the water than it will help and this little guy is my most precious possession". He can independently learn to hold his breath when he's 3 or 5 or 13, I'm not ready.

4) In general I thought a class at 16 months was a bit too much structure. Now that he is almost 18 months I think he would have liked it more. Sometimes it is still so crazy to me that 2 or 3 months can make such a big difference.

The last day was actually our best day since something seemed to "click" in Asher's brain and he did not fuss, was able to do what was expected and just really seemed to enjoy himself.

Practicing Leg Kicks

Belly Float/ Water Swallowing