By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
As I walked through the gate to 6th Street pool Monday morning, the first thing I noticed was a large group of excited children.
Only 4 and 5 years old, these children are taking part in a YMCA program to learn how to swim. In its fifth year, the program was made possible through a Red Cross grant.
On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Carol Rose teaches about 30 kids a day. Rose spent eight years as an aquatics instructor in Ohio.
On Fridays, an older class of 10 to 12 year olds learn from a different instructor.
In total, about 100 kids participate in the program.
Rose says that the younger class probably won’t be swimming by the end of the program.
“The goal of this is to get the children comfortable in the water,” said Rose. “On the first day, many of the kids were scared of the water.”
To do this, Rose is a big supporter of learning through play.
The kids learn to kick and blow bubbles using pool noodles, life jackets and even tennis balls. They use these items and skills to play games, like a pool noodle train or to chase floating tennis balls. The skills they learn will make learning to swim easier when they are slightly older.
For more information on the 6th Street pool swimming program, contact the YMCA of Coosa Valley at 256-547-4947.
