YAY First Day!

You’re signed up, registered, and the first day will be here soon.

Below you will find the first day letter families get a week before lessons start. Credit to ISR network of instructors for sharing the template.

Twas the Week Before ISR

Hello Families,

Your ISR journey begins a week from today! I am so thrilled to be teaching your bugs and can't wait for you to experience the magic (it's science, but it feels like

magic!) of watching your kiddos learn these skills. I know I have sent you TONS of

information by this point, so I'm going to keep this short & sweet! Just a few things

to keep in mind for our first lesson:

• No dairy based food or drink 2 hours before lessons or non-dairy based for 1 hour

before. Please don't break this rule or take it lightly...it's important. A little water is

ok. Empty belly = best for swimming.

• Just like going to a new school or a new activity, it's totally normal to see some tears

during the first few lessons of ISR. The pool area is new and I am a new person to

your child, so it's all to be expected. You will almost certainly have to hand your

(likely) unhappy kiddo to me- this is better than trying to get them to walk over into

my arms. I will be able to manage even if they are fussing.

• And while we are on the topic of fussing, the very best thing you can do for your

child is to approach this process like you do the carseat. Sometimes our kids hate

the carseat- they scream and pitch a fit about going in. Yet, we don't apologize to

them because we know with absolute certainty it is what's best for them to keep

them safe. ISR is the same- these are life skills that they will use, and are only proof of your

commitment to their safety and wellbeing as their parents. If we are super emotional

that first week because our children are crying about lessons, they can tell, and they

may continue being emotional for no other reason than to get reinforcement from

mom/dad for being upset. Unless they have had a previous traumatic aquatic event,

they are not crying because of any bigger emotional reasons than wanting you!

They will prove this to you by being quiet and happy the moment they come out.

• Know that your language (and body language) matters. Try to avoid saying things

like "It's almost over!" in favor of "You're doing so great!" If you don't have a good

poker face, wear sunglasses. And if your child is tremendously upset and attached

to you just step away and out of their line of sight and I will call you over once our

lesson is through.

• If you can, do your best to not plant seeds that lessons are scary, or that there's any

reason to be sad. Learning to swim, float, and if need be survive in water are

priceless skills that every child deserves to have. If you stay pretty matter of fact

and positive about lessons your child will very quickly begin to follow your lead. Any crying typically tapers off by the end of the first week anyway.

Above all, I want to assure you that your child's safety is our absolute top priority

and I am highly trained to ensure their lesson experience is safe 100% of the time.

Together we will go through this awesome process one day at a time, and before

you know it our session will be over and you will be overwhelmed & emotional for

totally different reasons...seeing the life saving skills your little bugs have learned in a

very short time!