Swim Lessons with Results: Our Emler Swim School Experience

The post is sponsored by Emler Swim School. However, opinions belong to the writer.

Swim lessons. The mere phrase brings up anxiety in my stomach – the forcing my head under water, diving into water when I was terrified, and such constant shivering from frigid water. For my kids, we tried group lessons, mom and me classes and private lessons. All with their own challenges that just left us not really any more comfortable in the water. 

I was determined to start my youngest off on the right foot, so when given the opportunity to try Emler Swim School‘s Waterbabies class, we jumped in – literally! Lucy started the week after her second birthday in a class with just two other toddlers. Watching our classmate around the same age move underwater for five seconds seemed overwhelming – why was I in a class with the future Michael Phelps?

Everything else, though, was easy. There were cubbies to hold our belongings while we swam. The room temperature and water temperature felt like the beach so no goosebumps or shivering babies.

The 30-minute lessons move quickly but each activity has a clear purpose in teaching comfort, safety or skills. The fun songs that accompany some of the skill building feel appropriate and not a waste of time. All of these activities are aided with the help of fun toys and tools like our foam “motor boats,” floating toys, diving rings, and the lesson finale slide. With the relaxing environment and encouraging, warm teachers I don’t even mind putting on my suit for Lucy’s class – pale, dry winter skin and all.

In two months, Lucy has learned to jump into the water and stay under for FIVE seconds. She flips onto her stomach in the bath tub and yells “kick, kick, kick,” practicing her swimming technique. She can pull herself out of the pool with very little assistance. And unintended perk, she loves the bath now and doesn’t scream bloody murder at the sound of the water filling the tub.

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Each week I am floored at her progress, which I can confidently attribute to the Emler approach. We’ve already started the Aquatots class with my almost 4 year old who went from crying at his first lesson to swimming underwater for three seconds at his fourth lesson. He joined a month into the semester and our fees were just pro-rated to match our number of lessons. My six year old will be taking the Summer Prep session as we look toward pool openings and beach trips.

I am so happy we discovered Emler. While year-round lessons are an investment, it’s one I’m willing to make. There’s no gap in the learning where there’s time to re-develop a fear of going under water. I want my kids to enjoy the water and jump in without reservation. But more importantly I want to take them to the pool, 3 kids vs. 1 mom and know they will be safe. 

To enroll your child in the Summer Prep sessions, which start April 1 and run through June 9, check out the class options. Not sure where your child would do best? Sign up for a 15-minute evaluation and the talented teachers will help! Emler will soon have two locations in the Kansas City metro: Leawood and Westwood (opening in June).

I’m looking forward to a summer of safe fun at the pool with all three of my little swimmers. Thanks, Emler!

Sarah McGinnity
Sarah grew up in Manhattan, Kansas (Go Cats!), she moved to Minnesota where she met her husband, Shea. Realizing how much she hated snow in May, she convinced him to move to Kansas City in 2010. Together they have lived in Midtown, Waldo, the Plaza, and now Overland Park. Sarah is mom to 10-year-old, Henry, 7-year-old Clark and 5-year-old Lucy. She has her master’s in urban administration and is passionate about making Kansas City a more equitable and supportive community. In between the crazy, she likes to drink coffee, run, hike, travel as much as possible, and experience all things Kansas City!