Thursday, March 28, 2013

Roosevelt Island Baby/Toddler Swim Program Starting April 3 At Sportspark - Nearly 2 Years Of Effort Brings Success To RI Parents Network

 Roosevelt Island 2012 Baby Swim Class

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Member and head of the RI Parents Network Eva Bosbach reports on the success of a long time group effort to start a toddler swimming program at Sportspark. According to Dr. Bosbach:
I am very happy to finally report success: We are getting Baby/toddler swim classes at Sportspark, after almost 2 years of effort, starting in April! :).

The baby/toddler swim class will start on April 3rd, for 10 weeks, Wednesdays 10.30-11.30 AM. The cost is $5 per family on a drop-in basis for an age group from 6 to 36 months. The class is a Mommy and me water class and will include getting comfortable with the water, songs, dipping, floating, splashing, games and more.

A big thank you to all who helped me to make this happen, namely Gabby who started putting everything together and talking to RIOC Sportspark representatives, to Erin, Susy and all the other moms who went to Sportspark or called, to everyone who provided swim instructor contacts, and to Mitchi for putting everybody's information in the sheet and helping me with the organization.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the water next week! :).

Just drop in at Sportspark for the Roosevelt Island Baby Swim Class.

6 comments :

Nancy Ilaya said...

Hi,
I'd like to know if there are other times available. As a working mum, I am not able to make it to the Wed 10.30 - 11.30 am classes. Can anyone recommend a private swim instructor for a 16 mth old?
Thanks,

YetAnotherRIer said...

As somebody who has raised multiple children who all love to swim I'd say spending money on a private swim instructor for a 16 months old is a big waste of money. IMHO (I know some will disagree with me but this is based on my own experience) once the children are old enough to be in the pool on their own and are able to tread water then is the time to look into swim instructions (be it private or group). Anything before that you might as well throw the money away.


I am not saying that your 16 month old should not go into the water at all. Of course, do that, Make him confortable with water. You just don't need any formal setting to do that. Just go swimming on the weekend,

Frank Farance said...

YetAnotherRIer: Although my children started formal swimming lessons at age 5 (with the RI Marlins), I wished they had started sooner. I don't know about a 16 month old, taking them in the pool might be not too different than their experience with water in a bath. But having a 2-4 year old having a healthy respect (but not fear) of the water is a Good Thing, and building up their breathing skills is good, too.


For some parents, having an instructor "coach" them and their child can be helpful, especially if the *parent* hasn't had much experience in the water (more common than you might think). I grew up on the waterfront and around swimming pools, so swimming is more of a safety skill.


Ditto for the different swimming skills for ocean beaches -- need to take the kids into the waves so they can feel what it's like, and all the undercurrents. Then, the kids can have a better respect for the ocean, too.

YetAnotherRIer said...

Right, exposing them to water as early as possible is a very good thing. Agreed.

My comment is only about formal instructions at that age. You know how those infant/toddler classes are. You get to hold your child and you just walk around while singing songs in a group. There is no teaching going on. I did this mistake with my first born (having "swim" classes since the age of 6 months) and I refused to do it again with my others.

Frank Farance said...

YetAnotherRIer: I understand and agree.

Eva B. said...

Hi Nancy,
I do not have a written confirmation from RIOC yet, but the plan for now is to continue the Wednesday classes until the End of June and then to start Sunday classes on July 7. Those should take place throughout the
summer until Labor Day, with the last class on Sunday, September 1st. The age group will be the same like the Wednesday classes, 6-36 months old babies and toddlers,11-12 AM, $5 drop-in. The change will be that there will be two
30mins classes, one 11-11.30 and another one 11.30 to 12.
Starting in the fall, depending on the popularity of the weekend class either only the Wednesday class or both the Wednesday and weekend classes will take place.
We do songs, games and a few skills with the goal for the children to become comfortable in the water.
Please send Rick your e-mail address for me if you want me to add you to the e-mail list of the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network so that you will get updates about this and other family related matters on RI.
All my best,
Eva B.