Goldfish Swim School: Why Joanie Started Swim Lessons at 4 Months Old

Joanie at 4 months old after her very first swim lesson

I began researching swim lessons in the Nashville area when Joanie was just a month or two old, and I knew I wanted her to take swim lessons as soon as she was old enough to start. Most of the places that offered swim lessons in the area weren’t actual swim schools, and your baby had to be 6 months to start. I stumbled across Goldfish after a google search, learned that they were just opening up in Franklin, and that babies can start as young as 4 months. I decided to sign Joanie up, and it was one of the best decisions I have made!

Joanie is in the Mini 1 class— it’s for ages 4-15 months, a 30 minute long class with a 6 child limit, and one parent gets in the water too. Joanie loves the water and we work on so many skills each class: kicking, pulling, chasing balls on her belly, underwater dips, superman glides, reaching for the wall and getting out of the pool, and floating on her back. We always do something fun at the end, whether it’s a boat ride, floating on a duck, or going down the mini slide.

Joanie’s very first swim lesson at 4 months old

I remember the first class when Joanie was 4 months old, and they said she was going to go underwater for a quick dip, I was so nervous! My husband was in the pool with her and dipped her, and she only was slightly confused by what happened afterwards. Now that she’s 9 months old, she doesn’t mind underwater dips at all! It’s incredible to see her growth!

If you’re wanting to explore the idea for swim lessons for your baby, definitely check and see if there is a Goldfish Swim School in your area by clicking here. There are 112 locations across the U.S. currently.

4 months old- loved her first swim lesson with dad!

Here are my top 5 reasons why you should enroll your baby in swim lessons as early as 4 months old at a Goldfish near you:

1) Survival Skills— This is definitely my number 1 reason why I wanted to start Joanie in swim lessons as early as possible. We have a pool opening in our neighborhood in the spring and we also have a boat that we want to take out on the lake during the summer with Joanie. I want her to learn the skills necessary for survival if she was ever put in a situation where she needed to reach an edge of a pool, etc. Babies at Goldfish start learning these skills as soon as swim class starts. We practice every week sitting on the edge of the pool, “jumping in,” and immediately turning around to reach the edge of the pool and practice climbing out. Safety is #1 and I’m so glad Joanie is being equipped with these skills already.

Practicing kicks at our first swim lesson— 4 months old

8 months old— loves her swim lessons!

2) Family Bonding— I love that I get to have this bonding time with Joanie in the water each week, and that my husband has been able to swim with Joanie as well when we have come on the weekends. Since a parent has to be in the water with Joanie each class, I love that we get to spend that quality time together where she feels safe and learns that she can trust us.

Chasing Bubbles— the Goldfish mascot, in the pool

One of Joanie’s favorite activities- chasing the balls in the pool

3) Socialization— As a stay at home mom, it can be isolating at times and hard to meet other moms with babies who are stay at home moms too. I also want to make sure Joanie has time to socialize with other babies since she doesn’t go to daycare each day. Not only does Joanie get to learn such an important life skill at Goldfish each week, but I’ve made some wonderful mom friends in class and Joanie has made friends with their babies!

Practicing reaching for the edge of the pool

4) Instructors & Facility— Goldfish has the nicest staff, and they always greet Joanie by name as soon as she arrives and when she leaves for the day. The instructors are highly trained and so good with Joanie, and the facility is top notch. The pool is heated to a comfortable bath temperature, a changing station with diapers are available, and there are big changing rooms that I’m able to nurse Joanie in after swim lessons are over.

9 months old— Enjoying some time floating on a duck at the end of class

5) Learn to love the water— Joanie absolutely loves the water even more so after starting lessons at Goldfish. It’s made bath time more fun, especially since Joanie has gotten used to water being poured over her head. It makes washing her hair a breeze now! I don’t want Joanie to be fearful of the water when she’s toddler age and older, and now I don’t have to worry about that. Goldfish has already set her up to love being in the water and start learn the necessary skills to enjoy it safely. We can’t wait for pool, beach, and boat days next summer!

I hope that after reading this, if you have a baby or toddler that you have thought about starting swim lessons for, consider a trial class or sign your baby up for swim lessons at a Goldfish near you! Stay tuned for a fun event at the Franklin location later this month where you can attend a Mini 1 class with me and Joanie! We hope to see you there!