Tiny Mumbler graduates from Floaties to Splashers and Mini Mumbler starts Swim Academy – seriously proud Mummy right now!
Mini Mumbler (4 years old) has had 3 lessons with Puddle Ducks Swim Academy now and ignoring the small panic when I couldn’t seem to be able to get a swimming cap anywhere things are going really well.
She’s still nervous when sitting at the side of the pool to get in, but I can tell it’s that butterflies but actually quite excited state rather than fear. The first lesson she was sat wriggling about on the edge of the pool swimming cap on (I’ll admit that I’ve never put a swimming cap on anyone before so I had no idea how to do it – thank goodness for the poolside assistant!). Goggles at the ready with a beaming smile!
My heart was in my throat. I was wondering if she would hate it, perhaps refuse to get in at all, maybe just sit and cry. Thankfully she got in, she was so brave I could see that she was really pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Now and again she’d say ‘I can’t do that!’ but then with encouragement from her teacher she had a go. So once my heart settled back in my chest it was bursting with pride.
The Puddle Ducks teachers are fantastic at differentiating the lesson to suit the needs and ability of your child plus, your own confidence in the pre-school classes. Swim Academy is no different, the three children in the pool are all at completely different levels but the teachers are able to push the ones that have already grasped the basics, whilst encouraging the absolute beginners. This is the skill of a wonderful teacher, you can’t learn how to recognise and adapt a lesson to suit individual needs. As a teacher myself, I’ve observed enough lessons in so many different subjects to know an excellent teacher when I see one. Verity and Jenny have both taught Mini in swim academy and both of them are awesome teachers.
Tiny is now 6months old (where on Earth did that go?), so she is about to graduate from her Floaties class and join the Splashers. I can already see how she has changed and developed, she isn’t phased by submersions, she’s naturally started to kick her legs when she’s in the water and she’s even gone from hating bathtime to loving it. Our first block with Puddle Ducks was in exchange for our review blogs and mumbler advertising. That block ended while ago and I’ve signed her up on a monthly rolling contract now. Since seeing the older children in Swim Academy that have been in Puddle Ducks since they were babies, I’m really looking forward to Tiny being a confident swimmer just like them.
Top tip: Puddle Ducks sell Swim Caps and the delivery is quick too! I ended up buying a new pair of goggle that are more like a mini scuba mask as Mini didn’t get on with the standard ones that fit close to your eyes. It’s worth investing in a decent pair straightaway!