Aqua Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Aqua Babies classes are offered for children ranging from about 3 months to about 3 years. In this class, your child will build an association between water and enjoyment and will experience opportunities for social, intellectual, emotional, and physical development. Children will be taught water adjustment and pre-swim skills that they will practice with the assistance of a parent or caregiver. This is a wonderful opportunity for sharing special time with your child!

With each succeeding year of teaching children, I have come to realize that the benefits of my classes extend way beyond learning to swim. Many character traits can be developed using swimming as the catalyst. Cooperation, perseverance, a positive attitude, and courtesy are just a few. As a whole person educator, I do encourage behaviors that promote these attributes and teach my classes so that children are provided with an opportunity to practice these skills while learning to swim. I especially enjoy partnering with parents in raising healthy and whole human beings.

Sessions, of varying lengths, of one class each week are offered from March through October. The Aqua Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers registration form is available on the Fees and Forms section of this web on or by contacting Liz at, 360.766.8403.

The Soothing Waters salt water pool is heated to a comfortable 90 degrees.

Class Size

A minimum of four students is required to offer a class at the fee listed below. Class size will not exceed five students.

Customizing Classes

Customizing classes is a specialty of Soothing Waters. Classes can be individualized so that varying ages of children in the same family can all be in one class, if there is a baby or toddler, it is necessary to have a parent or guardian in the water with this child.

Many of my clients enjoy creating their own class by organizing a group of friends. If you are interested in the Create A Class option please call me at 766.8403 to learn about the details and determine a mutually agreed upon time.

2010 Schedule for Group Classes

Regularly scheduled classes are currently offered on Wednesday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. As these days fill, other days will be added throughout the season. (Please be aware that “Create a Class” options are available to meet your needs for varying times and days.) Exact class times are listed on the Enrollment Form located in the Fees and Forms section of this web.

Session I: March 30th/31st – May 4th/5th (6 classes)
Session II: May 11th/12th – June 29th/30th (7 classes, skip the week of June 1st)
Session III: July 6th/7th – August 24th/25th (8 classes)
Session IV: Aug. 31st/Sept. 1st – Oct. 5th//6th (6 classes)

Your full advance payment reserves a spot for you and your child. Classes do fill up, so please plan ahead. View the Enrollment Form by clicking on this link. The Enrollment Form is also located in the Fees and Forms section of this Web page, please print and mail the Enrollment Form and Liability Release Form with your payment. In the form section of this web you will also find the forms that are titled: Before You Come to Soothing Waters and Parking Plan. Please be sure to read both of these prior to your first time.

Pre-Registration Fees

$72. for six half hour classes (1 parent & 1 child)
$84. for seven half hour classes (1 parent & 1 child)
$96. for eight half hour classes (1 parent & 1 child)
$15. drop in rate (only available with prior scheduling in a class that is not full)

These rates are based upon a minimum class size of 4 students, maximum of 5 students for each class with payment received before the first day of class. Add $10. to payments made on the day of class.

Checks made out to Liz Bart, please.

Make-up Classes and Absences

A one hour long make-up class will be offered towards the end of each 6 week or longer session. If you miss one class, stay for a half hour; if you miss two classes, stay for the full hour. The date of the make-up class will be scheduled at the start of each session.

Refunds for missed classes are not issued, so please be sure that you can make the majority of classes in the session that you have signed up for. If you would like to sign up for a session, but know that you cannot make a number of classes, please discuss this with me. Based upon the enrollment numbers, it may be possible to offer you a class by class rate of $15.

Rain Policy

All Soothing Waters classes are conducted rain or shine.

What to Bring

In order to maintain water quality, all Aqua Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers are required to wear an approved swim diaper. To qualify as "approved", the diaper must be non-disposable and snug fitting around the legs and waist. I have some for sale for $12. (approved by the National Swim Association). When you enroll, please let me know if you would like to order one and specify the size/weight of your child (see enrollment form). Disposable swim diapers are ineffective and unacceptable. Thank you for your cooperation.

• Be sure to bring a towel for each of you.
• Plastic bags are helpful for wet items.

Parent Reflections

"Aqua Babies provided Hamilton and me with a wonderful opportunity to cuddle, play, and interact with other babies. Water play provided such freedom of mobility for my infant. I can't explain what a feeling it was to see that little being's eyes wide open, arms and legs moving, just cruising underwater towards me." ~Kelly

"Watching my nine week old son develop a love for swimming in the water was amazing! We live across the street from the bay and it is important to us that he learn to respect and be comfortable in the water. Liz's class focuses on having fun in the water, while teaching important skills for baby to be safe." ~Amber and Gavin

"We loved coming to Aqua Babies. I appreciated how you interacted with my daughter...your smooth, calming voice and mannerisms made for a great experience. It's obvious that you are very knowledgeable and experienced in what you do. We look forward to seeing you in the Spring." ~Rebecca and Maya

Beginning Soothing Waters classes for Malleck at age three months has been so much fun for us both. My entire family has been amazed at his natural attraction to the water, we would never have known how relaxing and fun water would have been for him if it weren't for this class." ~Nichole

Before the First Class

If you plan to enroll in the Aqua Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers class, this section will provide you with helpful tips to enhance your experience.

I am looking forward to our time together. We are in for a fun time as we play with our babies/toddlers, have them meet new friends, and introduce them to the wonders of water. In addition to lots of playful movement and socialization, we will be aiding the children in water adjustment and preparing them for the initial learning phase that sets the stage for future swimming.

The initial learning phase of swimming is marked by the child being comfortable submerging his face. Lots of water exposure will assist in this initial learning phase, but most important is the individual child's desire and readiness. A child should never be forced to perform a skill, this will only have the adverse effect of what we desire -enjoyment of water!

Preparing for the First Class

There are a number of things that you can do even before our first class to prepare your child for Aqua Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers.

• Begin by talking to your child about his/her upcoming swim lessons. Pictures and books regarding water fun and swimming are beneficial.
• Help your child get used to having water on his/her face. You can do this by dribbling water on his face with a washcloth or sponge. Singing, "It's raining, it's pouring" will add to the fun. Taking your child in the shower with you is also helpful.
• Bubble blowing is great preparation for breath work.
• Make bath time a time of fun.
• Schedule a time for your child to come by, meet me, and see the pool if that would make him/her feel more at ease with this new situation.

Parent's Role During the Class

• Children copy parental attitudes. What you say, do, and your facial expressions will influence your child.
• Praise your child. Reinforce all skills you want your child to repeat. Reward effort as well as accomplishments.
• Be positive. Ignore or minimize reactions such as crying or tantrumming.
• Have patience. Children progress at their own rate in swimming readiness, just as in all other areas of development.

Health

• Please let me know if you or your child has any medical problems or disabilities.
• Food or drink, especially citrus products, should not be consumed for at least one hour prior to class.
• If your child becomes chilled or tired, take him out of the water and wrap him warmly. You may either observe the class or go inside.

PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE AT ALL TIMES
FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN.

I know that this will be a fun and rewarding experience for all of us. Please do not hesitate to call me at 766-8403 if you have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you in the water!!!

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