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5 Reasons to Start Swimming Early at Goldfish
I never thought I would take my daughter to her first organized swim lesson before she could walk. This past summer, my girl was so interested in water and swimming pools that she seemed almost fearless. So, when the opportunity for swim lessons became available, I decided that enrolling her at Goldfish Swim School would help her not just enjoy the water, but also learn how to actually swim. Looking back, I am so happy she had her first swim lesson shortly after turning a year old (your child can start as young as four-months old at Goldfish). Below, I am sharing five benefits my family has gained because our daughter started swim lessons at Goldfish…
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Columbus Winter Outings, With a Toddler, Pt. 1
The first 3 months of the year are generally the longest for me, as I’m sure they are for everyone else. Now that our daughter is 17 months old, we have a full-blown toddler in the house, and our house is feeling even smaller than actually it is. At 17 months, baby girl enjoys outings; with a lot of places around town, I find the activities may be a little too structured, the space may be a little too dangerous, or the other children may be a little too big for her. Below, I have listed some great places in Columbus for a young toddler to play, explore, and learn, where we will…
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A visit to the AHA! Children’s Museum
We had the time and opportunity over winter break to explore the AHA! A Hands-On Adventure, A Children’s Museum, in Lancaster, Ohio, and we are so glad we did! The museum is an easy 45-minute drive from Columbus and admission is only $6, which makes it a very manageable and worthwhile day trip. The museum’s mission statement is, “Educating children in a world of discovery, curiosity and imagination through hands-on play.” The museum is designed to educate and accommodate children ages six months to eight years-old. There is a lot to take in upon arrival. The museum is a 4,000 square foot, open space, with 33 hands-on exhibits (at last count).…
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5 Easy Toddler-Made Ornaments
This holiday we have been making ornaments that focus more on the process than the product. The process of making these ornaments allows a child to explore different art mediums and just create. Below, I have listed 5 simple ornaments that a toddler can create, with a little support from their favorite adult. Salt Dough Ornaments: This activity is quickly becoming one of our favorite holiday traditions. The recipe is simple: 1 cup flour, 1 cup salt, and 1/2 cup warm water. Your child can help you mix the ingredients together, roll the dough out, and then press out the shapes. Let the ornaments dry for 2 to 4 days or place…
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The Gift of Experience
Providing your child with new experiences naturally exposes her to new vocabulary. These experiences can capture your child’s attention and provide an opportunity for you to model new vocabulary in the appropriate setting. These experiences can happen anywhere, whether it be heading out about town to visit a new place or participate in a class, or having a fun activity delivered straight to your door. In addition to promoting language development, these experiences support your child’s cognition, sensory, fine motor, and creativity. Christmas is a great time to give the gift of experiences, many of which will last well beyond the holiday season. Below are some suggestions on how to give the gift…
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Being Comfortable in the Water at Goldfish Swim School
When we first began swimming lessons with Goldfish Swim School, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wasn’t interested in lessons where I would have to “dunk” my daughter’s head under water. Luckily, this wasn’t the experience we encountered in our lesson. Goldfish Swim School practices patience and allows your baby to experience water on her terms. In each lesson, the instructor provides techniques to help you guide your child to feel comfortable in the water. The mini lessons are formatted for the parent/child to participate in the class together. If your child is anything like my daughter, she will probably cling to you during the first few lessons. As your child becomes…
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Language in Daily Routines
Some weeks there is just no time. Between work, family commitments and household responsibilities there isn’t time for anything else. This post looks at promoting language development in daily routines. No extra materials needed or mess to clean up. These routines are most likely being done in your household, so with a few changes you can turn them into a learning opportunity for your child. Laundry: Laundry is a never-ending chore that your child can easily help with. It definitely takes a little longer, but it is a wonderful opportunity to build clothing vocabulary and help your child understand directions. When a wet piece of clothing is taken out of the washer,…
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Goldfish Swim School Promotes Independence
We have been attending swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School for more than two months. With each class, I see my daughter become more comfortable in the water. As her comfort level increases, so does her willingness to try new skills and demonstrate greater independence in the water. Goldfish Swim School does an excellent job of fostering a child’s growing independence by providing opportunities to practice swimming skills, be proud of her accomplishments and carryover learned skills. In order to promote independence Goldfish Swim School will teach your child to: Respect the Water: As your child learns to be independent, it is also important to learn to be safe. Water can be fun, but…
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Exploring Traverse City with Kids
Located on Lake Michigan, Traverse City is the “Cherry Capital of the World” and a wonderful place for a weekend trip in the fall for any family. We had heard so many wonderful things about Northern Michigan that we decided to hit the road to check it out for ourselves. In one weekend, we fell in love with the city and it’s residents! The people were refreshingly friendly, the scenery was breathtaking and we never had to search far for a good meal. Read on to see how we spent a fall weekend exploring Traverse City, Michigan, with our 14-month-old daughter. Where to Stay The Sugar Beach Resort Hotel – Located…
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Goldfish Swim School Promotes Language Development
We have been attending swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School for a little over a month. With each class, I can see my daughter becoming more comfortable in the water. With each passing lesson, she becomes more relaxed when floating on her back and when she “catches her bubble” when dipping underwater. Not only is she learning the basics of swimming and water safety, but I watch her vocabulary and her ability to follow directions increase with each swim lesson. Below I have listed five ways Goldfish Swim School will promote your child’s language development. 1. Action Words: Each swim class focuses on actions. Your child will be kicking, reaching, climbing, jumping etc.…