Lone Star Swim School is great! It is at a family home two blocks up the street from Jake's daycare. Their sons ages 16 to 20 teach the classes. They have an amazing way with kids. Tons of patience for a crying kiddie.
Week 4 of lessons with "my friend Chad"
The lessons are done semi-private. Two kids per teacher for 30 minutes. Week one Jake cried for 1/2 the class. Week 2 the first 10 minutes and then he would moan on the side of the pool for Mommy or Daddy. Week 3 he cried for 5 to 10 minutes and started to talk to Chad. Chad was so excited at the end of the lesson he made sure to tell me that Jake talked to him. Week 4 there was a little crying but once Chad got him busy he did great. By the end of week one he was pushing himself off the step in the water to Chad and not swallowing any water. By week 3 he jumped off the side and sort of swam to Chad. Week 4 he played and swam very naturally with Chad.
Chad takes him to the rocks and shows him a hole. He does this to calm him down and stop him from crying. He speaks softly in his ear. It is amazing to watch. Oh I didn't say that for 4 weeks of lessons Mommy is hiding behind a bush, so Jake will stop crying and listen to Chad. A pretty funny site.
At the end of his lessons Chad and his brother said Jake did great for being two. Most kids do cry like Jake did but they scream and fight the whole lesson. Jake didn't do that, he cried but once busy in the water he would listen and do what he was told. I knew he liked Chad when he would be crying and the same time would give Chad a high five.