BY TAMECA JOHNSON
Freelance Writer

The Central City Family Y. M. C. A. is committed to teaching infants and toddlers how to swim by expanding a program currently being offered at other Y. M. C. A. locations across the area.

The program provides swim lessons for children ages six months to three years old.  It’s part of a ten lesson course that pairs the child with their parent.

“We want them to get the maximum learning in that time period,” says Jhonda Johnston, one of the instructors of the class. “Most participants say the class is fantastic.  We’ve had children who came in not knowing how to swim, and then began swimming four to five feet across the pool on their own by the end of the session.”

The parents serve as their child’s partner in the pool, assisting in floating and other life saving techniques.

Johnston worked to expand the program to the Central City Y after interacting with elementary school students during the Y.  M. C. A.’s recent summer camp.

“Some of the kids had never been in a pool before, so we started teaching them lessons.  They learned so quickly and they were good at it!  I think it’s a travesty to put a child in a pool with life vest.  There’s this idea that we as a people don’t swim.  There’s no reason for that!”

Johnston joined the Tampa Y. M. C. A. division nearly a year ago.  She has 35 years experience, including time spent teaching swimming at Vanderbilt University.

The classes are offered during the spring, summer and fall months.  Prices range from $75 to $105 and scholarships are available.  For more information, call (813) 229-9622.