A Deep Dive Into The Monthly Bubble: Goldfish Swim School

 Disclosure: Goldfish Swim School is an ongoing partner of Diaper Bag Diaries however, all opinions are my own. 

If you are on the Goldfish Swim School mailing list, you may have noticed that each month a new theme is announced in the monthly bubble. If you are like me, you may have paid little to no attention to how that theme was being incorporated into your children's swim lessons.

I was curious to know more about it so I decided to ask the management team of our local Goldfish how this months Superhero theme was going to help my two little swimmers.

What began as an idle curiosity developed into pure fascination as my eyes were opened to the manner in which the Goldfish instructors make children so comfortable around water. Using each months theme they encourage children to perfect important skills without even knowing it.  

Take the August superhero theme for example. Your child’s teacher may say things like... 

• Fly like a Superman/Supergirl (Superman Glides)
• Climb out of the pool like Spiderman (Fin, Fin, Belly, Flipper)
• Look for the Batman symbol in the sky (Sea Otter Float)
• Talk to the fish like Aquaman (Blow Bubbles)
• Work on your muscles like the Hulk (Pulling Paddle)
• Fire up your rocket shoes like Iron Man (Kick on the Barbell)

What a fun way to encourage hesitant children! My son already loves swim class but since he loves superhero’s, this really kicked up his excitement and engagement with class. What kid is going to turn down an opportunity to be like Superman or Spider-Man? 

We are so excited to hear about September’s theme in our next monthly bubble as well as keep tabs on family swim nights and other events going on at Goldfish!  

Our little Aquaman....

Goldfish Swim School: Family Swim

Last year I wrote about my son and I attending family swim together as a special mother - son outing....

This year, the whole family has been attending the Friday night sessions! We even moved our swim class time to Fridays so that we could double up on our pool time. Triple up really considering family swim lasts 90 min! From 6:30-8pm nearly every Friday. (Check the calendar for special events and family swim cancellations)

Why do we enjoy family swim so much? For one, I enjoy it because I cannot stand getting into cold water with the kids. Yes, even in the summer. Hey, I never said I was the perfect parent! I'm a huge baby and even in the hottest of temperatures I bristle against the cold water in most pools. I am pretty sure if it weren't for the warm temperature at Goldfish Swim School, my children wouldn't even know that family swim was an option. 

Secondly, my kids just LOVE water. The 30 min a week at swim class just isn't enough to satiate the fish portion of their brain. (I'm convinced my 1st and 3rd child are part fish)

And third, every week at the end of class, the teacher always talks about the skills that the kids are struggling with or need to improve upon. What better place than family swim to become a part of the process and help your own child overcome whatever swim obstacle they are working through? Or if your child still deals with water confidence, being able to play freely with the security of their parents also being in the water is a great step towards moving past that stage. 

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And for those of you with large families, I have successfully taken all three kids to family swim, alone, on many occasions. The oldest, who is level Glider 3, has the appropriate confidence and swim level to navigate the water relatively freely. (Still within my eyesight of course). I keep the younger two in lifejackets to ensure their safety. Originally the very youngest stayed in one of those water saucers for babies before she outgrew it.

Luckily Goldfish has a bin of lifejackets in all sizes, including infant, for us to use. So feel free to bring your own life jackets, arm floaties, water saucers, diving toys, etc. But also keep in mind that you are allowed to use most of Goldfish's stocked items in the water as well! 

I encourage all you readers to use family swim as a way to witness and encourage your childs swim progress, help them improve their skills, and most importantly, bond as a family! 

Family swim is free to members during their weekday afternoon hours, and 5$ with a max of 15$ / family on Friday evenings. Family swim is first come, first serve, so make sure to arrive on time / early to ensure they don't exceed the guest limit in the pool. 

P.S. Construction is nearly complete for the newest Goldfish Swim School location in Lewis Center! Lessons will begin July 9th so if this location is near you, make sure to call and register!