Creekside Kids

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Toes In For the Summer!

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Summer Swims Into View

Summer is right around the corner! That means even if our mountain-blessed Colorado weather has us wearing our long socks into July this year, we are still contemplating and savoring upcoming visits to lakes, beaches, and pools. And for many of our kids, it may be their first taste of a swim without being in a parent’s arms.

As another season of trips and reunions begins, we believe that this is a good time to introduce toddlers to the joys of swimming. Water play is a fun way for kids to enjoy the warm weather and an essential skill that can promote a healthy respect for water safety and a feeling of confidence around waterplay. We’re pleased to share some great resources, tips, and recommendations for making this summer a splashing success for your little ones!

Bringing Out Our Old Blogs

Each June, we worry about the kids we’ve come to know and love over the year, as they dart off to their vacations and holidays. This comes from poolsafety.gov:

In 2020, 339 children younger than age 15 fatally drowned, but in 2021, that figure rose by 12% with 380 children fatally drowning. Children five years old and younger are especially vulnerable – this age group represents 75% of child drowning deaths and 77% of nonfatal injuries.

As discussed in our June 2024 blog, Another Swimming Summer!, it contains a great checklist for prepping swim time and what to watch out for. If you missed our June 2022 blog, Teaching Your Kids About Swimming and Dangers, we encourage you to check it out for more insights on why early swimming lessons are crucial, as well as understanding the dangers of dry drowning and secondary drowning. 

Swimming is a fantastic activity for toddlers, providing numerous benefits beyond just staying cool. It helps improve coordination, enhances physical fitness, and promotes social skills through play. Additionally, learning to swim at a young age sets the foundation for a lifetime of water safety. We believe that it’s important to balance the dangers of not respecting a body of water with the confidence to survive in a crisis. And it’s great to be as prepared as you can for the fun!

Top Wading Pools for Toddlers  

For families wanting to create a swim oasis at home, several brands offer fantastic inflatable and above-ground pools that are perfect for toddlers. Here are our top recommendations:

This spacious inflatable pool can comfortably hold toddlers and their parents, making it perfect for family fun. With vibrant colors and a design that features built-in benches, it’s ideal for splashing and play.

Intex Inflatable Family Lounge Pool: this inflatable swimming pool comes with a built-in bench with a backrest for a supervising parent. It has a water capacity of 156 gallons

And even includes a repair patch in case of punctures.

Little Tikes Slam ‘n Curve Slide Inflatable Outdoors Kiddie Pool: while this pool doesn’t have room for mom or dad to lounge, it is enormous fun, with a rock wall side for climbers, and rewards a good climb with a cool slide.

VISTOP Extra Large Foldable Dog Pool: conceived as a pet pool, this collapsible structure requires no inflating, and is recommended by users for its durability.

Splash Pad for Dogs & Kids: another pet creation, this reminds us of running through sprinklers as kids. The only drawback is that it doesn’t recycle and filter the water, so it can be a bad choice in drought months.

Recommended Swimming Schools for Toddlers

If you’re looking to enroll your toddler in structured swim lessons, several local swimming schools offer fantastic programs tailored for young children:

  • SafeSplash: This dedicated swim school focuses on building essential water safety skills in a fun environment.
  • British Swim School: Offering a unique approach that blends swimming lessons with safety skills, they ensure that your toddler is prepared for any water situation.
  • PPYMCA: With a solid reputation for quality swim instruction, the YMCA provides a nurturing atmosphere for toddlers learning to swim.
  • Pikes Peak Athletics: This local program offers personalized instruction to build water confidence.
  • Little Fins Swim School: Specializing in young children, they provide engaging lessons that keep toddlers excited about swimming.
  • Villa Sport StarBabies: Villa Sport’s swim lessons provide an early introduction to swimming for ages 6 – 36 months. (Swimmers who are incontinent or not fully toilet trained must wear Villa Sport-approved swim diapers with a tight-fitting protective covering.)

Local Swimming Spots 

For parents seeking safe destinations to take their toddlers swimming, Colorado Springs has several excellent spots, and some with lifeguards on duty. These locations ensure a secure environment for your little ones to splash and play:

  • Memorial Park: A beautiful space with a sizable pool area, perfect for family outings. (Although there are wonderful picnic spaces, there are no lifeguards at Prospect Lake.)
  • Villa Sport: This facility combines fitness and fun, providing a safe environment for kids with lifeguards overseeing swim activities.
  • Cottonwood Creek YMCA: Out east where Dublin and Rangewood intersect, the Cottonwood Creek YMCA offers swimming facilities that are well-supervised and designed for families.
  • Wilson Ranch Pool YMCA: This community pool is ideal for families, offering shallow areas and supervision for young swimmers.

Have a Great Summer!

Summer swimming is an exciting way for toddlers to experience water, learn valuable skills, and create cherished memories with their families. Whether you’re considering setting up a home pool or enrolling your child in swim lessons, there are endless opportunities for water fun this season. We hope you explore the resources listed above to make this summer unforgettable for your little ones. Happy swimming from all of us at Creekside Kids!

If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Another Swimming Summer!


Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Staying Safe in Summer Sun And Fun

With the sun shining bright and the gentle breeze singing through the trees, it feels like the perfect time to chat about one of our favorite summer pastimes — swimming! Whether it’s in a twinkling pool, a serene lake, or the sparkling sea, there’s nothing like seeing our little ones’ eyes light up with joy as they splash around.

Do you remember our June 2023 discussion in “Teaching Your Kids about Swimming & Dangers“? We talked about the importance of water wisdom. Let’s dive a bit deeper and sprinkle a little safety magic for an unforgettable and secure swimming season! 

Prep

Before those tiny toes touch the water, make sure you’re all set with the essentials:

Life Jackets: For our pint-sized swimmers moving into deeper waters or boating, a properly fitting life jacket is a must. The type which holds the head up in case one is unconscious is best.

Water-Wings: A great fit for water play is water wings, to keep their heads above water at all times without being too constrictive.

Sunscreen and Hats: Keep that delicate skin shielded from the UVA/UVB rays with a high SPF sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats.  Even cloudy days need sunscreen as UV rays still penetrate clouds at about 90% of normal on a sunny day.  Did you know that SPF is to help you determine how long you can be in the sun without burning or needing to reapply?   Fair skinned person such as this writer will start burning in 15 minutes so SPF 30 means that under ideal circumstances–thick application, no sweating or water exposure, I can stay out in the sun for up to 30 times longer than my normal 15 minutes before burning.  But, be careful—that’s only under perfect laboratory conditions.  This writer cuts that time in half to account for human and environmental error.

How to Determine Which SPF to Use:  https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/what-does-spf-rating-really-mean#:~:text=To%20get%20the%20SPF%20number,there%20is%20no%20sunscreen%20applied.

Safe Splashing Tips

Now that we’re dressed for success, let’s make sure our water play is as safe as it is fun:

Always Keep Eyes on the Prize: And by prize, we mean our adorable aquanauts! Continuous supervision and communication is key. It only takes a moment for water play to turn into worry, so let’s keep our eyes on the fun. Avoid distracting conversations or media.

Teach the Basics: Many of you already knew this, but a few more follow the tips we gave in “Teaching Your Kids about Swimming & Dangers”. Reinforce these lessons: no running near the pool, and always ask for permission before diving into the pool.

Set Boundaries: Make sure your child knows where they can and cannot swim. Setting physical or imaginary lines can work wonders for keeping them safe and sets rules that are part of the fun.

Keep the Water Clean and Clear: Ensure the swimming spot is free of hazards. Clear water means better visibility, not just for finding exciting sea creatures, but for keeping an eye on our swimmers too! Consider a brightly colored swimsuit as soft colors–especially pink/tan/beige can look like sand colors and do not show in deeper water.  Whn searching for a missing swimmer, bright colors are very helpful.   If you’re in a common swimming area, make sure your kids wash any toy they bring into the water.

Learn the Signs of Struggle: Sometimes kids don’t splash or yell when in trouble. They might just look like they’re silently trying to climb a ladder. Drowning and dry drowning do NOT look like what we see in the movies.  Recognizing these signs can lead to a quick and calm response. 

Be Emergency Ready

In case of a “just in case”, make sure you’re prepared:

Learn CPR: This is a wonderful skill, regardless of the season. You might never need it, but if you do, it could be a lifesaver. The American Red Cross offers training and certifications.

Have a First-Aid Kit: A prepared parent is a confident parent. Have it handy for those unexpected slips and trips. Bandages, antiseptic wash, and of course, sunburn lotion are smart items to include in a swim first aid kit.

Making Every Splash Count

Create beautiful memories by integrating fun and educational swimming games. How about a treasure hunt for waterproof toys or a floating ring toss? Not only will these games keep their minds and bodies engaged, they’ll reinforce swimming skills and safety measures! With a little bit of prep and preparedness, we can ensure that every splash comes with a smile. Let’s relish this radiant season by making each swimming day sunny, safe, and super!

Let’s keep our community conversations bubbling up! If you’ve got more tips, stories, or a little underwater photo you’d like to share, dive into our comment section. We’d love to keep “swimming” in this wonderful conversation with all of you! If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

Location & Hours

creekside building
1201 W Cheyenne Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906  
 
6:30 am - 5:45 pm
Monday - Friday
(719) 635-9111

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