Miss Colleen's School of Fish

Jackson and Tobias (age 2) jumping in and swimming independently across the pool! #summerswim

Katelyn age 6 swimming so smoothly this past summer! We are amazed at her progress. She was nervous and in tears when she first started with us. Her confidence now is awesome to see! #summerswim

Ava started swimming with Miss Colleen when she was just 3 months old and has kept with the program. She is now 2.5 years old and is swimming independently!! We are so proud of her! #summerswim

Megan (age 3) swimming independently to Miss Colleen while her brother, Billy waits his turn. What a little fish she has become!! #summerswim

We have had a lot of questions about floatations recently. Most of you know my views on them but to reiterate, floatations should be used sparingly. If you want your child to swim, they have to practice swimming without a floatation as much as possible. Relying on a float of any kind is doing just that, floating! Here is Andley (age 3) wearing a puddle jumper. This is an extremely popular device and recommended by countless moms. It is Coast Guard approved. It is simil...ar to a Life Jacket or Life Vest. It is perfect for the river, the lake or a beach. However, it WILL hinder your child’s progress in the pool. The puddle jumper places your child in a vertical position in the water providing them with ineffective swimming posture. It places their head up and feet down towards the bottom. Children will often use a bicycle kick while using this device. There is little to no arm movement allowed as that movement is hindered by the float itself. It can cause a significant false sense of security as well. As you can see, Andley jumps in, and while he does go under, he immediately pops up to the surface without having to actually kick. In his swimming video, he is struggling to put his face in the water because the flotation is hindering that position. The 3rd video is of Lily swimming with the bubble (white styrofoam egg) on her back. I recommend the styrofoam egg or bubble as the best floatation for your child if you are looking for them to swim. The bubble (also available as a 4 piece rectangular aid that goes on your child’s back) places your child in the proper swimming position with their feet closer to the surface. They can easily put their face in the water and their arm movement is not restricted at all. While the bubble should NOT be used solely to teach your child to swim, it is safe for them in the pool to practice as a break from swimming with an adult in with them. I DO NOT recommend the bubble for the river, lake or beach as it is NOT coast guard approved for boating, etc. If you have any questions, or concerns about your child’s flotation or their progress, please feel free to call or text me to discuss.

Katelyn (age 6) started swimming with us when she turned 4 years old. She cried for a couple sessions but with consistency from her parents, she overcame and now has a pretty solid and smooth freestyle and backstroke now! Very proud of her!! #summerswim

Tobias (age 2) started lessons with us at 5 months old. His parents have NEVER relied on floatation devices. They have listened to our philosophies and practiced with him when he was not in class with us. He can officially save himself at this point if he were to fall in a pool. We have been working on survival skills and getting to the side or grabbing onto an object if need be. So very proud of this little guy (his parents too)!! #summerswim

MaKenna (age 4) has been practicing with Miss Colleen as she works to make up her classes from March. She has gained the confidence she needs to swim independently! So proud of her progress!!!! #summerswim

Abby (just turned 1) in her pool at home #summerswim

Derick (age 6) swimming great independently! #summerswim

Amelia (almost 4) swimming across the pool independently while mom cheers her on Way to go! #summerswimming

Gabe (age 3) swimming completely independently across the pool! Amazing job buddy! #stayathomeswimclass

Lucca (age 2)and Rome (age 4) swimming independently with mom at home! Nice job boys! #stayathomeswimclass

Billy (age 7) was worried he would forget what we taught him but sure enough, he is swimming on his own and confidently. So proud of him! #stayathomeswimclass

Paxton (9 months) is in the pool for the first time since the quarantine. Nice kicking! #stayathomeswimclass

Arlo (age 2.5years) taking a break from independent swimming and practicing his kicking while mom safely watches. #stayathomeswimclass

Camden (age 5) is such a little fish! That little smile and voice can light up a room! Nice swimming buddy! #stayathomeswimclass

Lilyana (age 3) swimming completely independently at home. Wow!! Amazing job kiddo! I am so proud! #stayathomeswimclass