Monday, June 05, 2006
Matthew's 2nd swim class
We changed Matthew's swim class timing to 5pm, which is definitely a better timing for us, regardless of whether he naps twice or once a day. The timing is good too, as we could go straight home for his shower, instead of showering at Marsden.
Matthew had a "deserted" morning at Suntec and was tired from all the walking and playing. A good nap of more than 2 hours, he was up and about and active again. We gave him his tea snack, a drink of milo and some biscuits before we brought him to his swim class. We wanted to be early, so that he could get familiar with the surroundings and pool
He recognised the place. At first he ngeh ngeh ngeh about having to change into his swim suit and was quite reluctant. Then we lured him with the Little Tikes car. We realised that he was actually strong enough to move the car backwards on his own. mm.. now the trick is now to get him to move forward..
Anyway, after a while, he wanted to get out, so I brought him to watch two girls learning swimming. Matthew watched them for quite a while and after that he was quite happy to go into the water. However he was actually still quite wary of the instructor (though for this timing it's actually Brooke, and the earlier 2pm timing was Jane).
Brooke was good, she did not rush through the lessons and did not "force" herself on Matthew. She let Mike "swim" Matthew, instead trying to take our little boy away from his Papa (which was quite pitiful). Matthew had fun grabbing a note and putting it into Brooke's bucket.
After that there were some singing and "dancing" and blowing bubbles. Then it was foam mat time. This time, Brooke wanted the toddlers to walk on the foam mat. Matthew was so reluctant, but did a good job walking on the mat, holding on to Mike's hand.
Sliding time. The first time went up the slide, Mike put him up there from the pool. The second time, I guided him to the back of the slide and sat him and he slided down into Mike's arms.
I guess he had more fun this time. Mike and I decided that he should continue another term of swim class. Only then we could see its effectiveness. For Matthew, it would be water cum gym fun, as soon as he gets over his stranger anxiety (towards ang moh). Hahaha..
Matthew had a "deserted" morning at Suntec and was tired from all the walking and playing. A good nap of more than 2 hours, he was up and about and active again. We gave him his tea snack, a drink of milo and some biscuits before we brought him to his swim class. We wanted to be early, so that he could get familiar with the surroundings and pool
He recognised the place. At first he ngeh ngeh ngeh about having to change into his swim suit and was quite reluctant. Then we lured him with the Little Tikes car. We realised that he was actually strong enough to move the car backwards on his own. mm.. now the trick is now to get him to move forward..
Anyway, after a while, he wanted to get out, so I brought him to watch two girls learning swimming. Matthew watched them for quite a while and after that he was quite happy to go into the water. However he was actually still quite wary of the instructor (though for this timing it's actually Brooke, and the earlier 2pm timing was Jane). Brooke was good, she did not rush through the lessons and did not "force" herself on Matthew. She let Mike "swim" Matthew, instead trying to take our little boy away from his Papa (which was quite pitiful). Matthew had fun grabbing a note and putting it into Brooke's bucket.
After that there were some singing and "dancing" and blowing bubbles. Then it was foam mat time. This time, Brooke wanted the toddlers to walk on the foam mat. Matthew was so reluctant, but did a good job walking on the mat, holding on to Mike's hand. Sliding time. The first time went up the slide, Mike put him up there from the pool. The second time, I guided him to the back of the slide and sat him and he slided down into Mike's arms.
I guess he had more fun this time. Mike and I decided that he should continue another term of swim class. Only then we could see its effectiveness. For Matthew, it would be water cum gym fun, as soon as he gets over his stranger anxiety (towards ang moh). Hahaha..
