Teaching children 2-36 months to swim underwater safely
QUINCY/HANOVER, AUGUST 26, 2020 – When the South Shore YMCA resumes swim lessons on September 14, 2020, they will introduce an exciting new addition to their Swim Academy programming, Powers Aquatics.
Developed 19 years ago by USA Certified Head Swim Coach and instructor, Kristen Seaton, Powers Aquatics is a progressive, effective parent/child curriculum for teaching children ages two- to 36-months old to swim safely underwater.
As part of the South Shore YMCA Swim Academy, Seaton and her team will teach the popular Powers Aquatics Inclusive, Adaptive and Little Crushers programs for ages two months to 6 years at the Quincy YMCA and Emilson YMCA in Hanover.
Seaton says she is thrilled to return to her roots at the Y, where she will join the staff as a full-time instructor as part of the South Shore YMCA’s trusted Swim Academy. “We have so many of the same core values as the Y, and I am thrilled to share the Y’s mission to offer life-saving, affordable swim lessons for everyone, including children who need special attention and modification through our Inclusive and Adaptive programs. We are excited that financial assistance is offered through the Y, so that every child can learn to be safe in the water and enjoy a lifetime of swimming.”
“Our program teaches parents to teach their children,” said Seaton. “So, when we are in class we are building relationships and trust. They need to trust us, and a bond is formed between teacher and parent, and parent and child. We are not just telling them what to do, they have to experience it with us.”
That trusted relationship extends to her instructors as well. “I teach with my own children in the pool, so that parents see what I’m doing and trust that it works. Every instructor in our program came through the program themselves, and I chose them because they did a great job teaching their own children. They now teach with me and we all teach with our own kids in the water.”
When her daughter was two weeks old, Seaton was inspired to start the Powers Aquatics program after learning that drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children under the age of four. As a swim instructor with a young daughter, Seaton wanted to find a way to prevent as many deaths as possible. As “America’s Swim Instructor” the YMCA is committed to this mission as well.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kristen and Powers Aquatics parent/child programming as part of our Swim Academy,” said Ken Berardi, Aquatics Director for South Shore YMCA. “It is a natural fit for our program, giving children these life-saving skills at a young age, then allowing them to grow and develop as a swimmer through our Swim Academy programs, which offers paths for recreational swimming or competitive swimming. Swimmers progress through our Swim Academy at their own pace, at any age and ability, so there is truly something for everyone.”
“Some people think that its either too late or too early to start a lifelong love of swimming,” added Seaton, “but that’s really not true. Anyone can learn to swim at any age, from the youngest to the oldest. It’s a lifelong gift that your parents or a teacher can give to you, and you can give it to others you love as well.”
Registration for Fall Session lessons at the South Shore YMCA Swim Academy begin September 1, 2020. For information on swim lessons at the Y, visit ssymca.829stage.com/swimlessons
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About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a leading charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.829stage.com. The South Shore YMCA. The Better You Belongs Here.
Ages 2-36 months - sign up for parent/child lessons with South Shore Swim Academy in partnership with Powers Aquatics
Registration for the Fall Session of these popular 13-week parent/child programs begins September 1 and spaces will go fast. New to the program? Sign up for Newbies. LEARN MORE
Ages 3 and up -- sign up for Swim Academy Preschool, Youth, Teen or Adult swim lessons
Swim Academy swim lessons resume September 14. Start at any age or ability and continue to progress at the swimmer's own pace. Weekly lessons with convenient monthly drafts. Start when you want and continue for as long as you want! LEARN MORE