Rowan just completed his second-to-last "big boy" swimming lesson. And by "big boy", I mean going in the pool by himself with the instructors. Its been truly unbelieveable the transformation we have seen in just 9 weeks of lessons.
To our surprise, he was that kid at swimming lessons who threw himself down on the pool deck, kicking and screaming that he wasn't. going. in. the. pool. period. It wasn't pretty- in fact, it was downright embarassing, catching the attention of people even behind the glass in the viewing area. A few weeks went by, and it really didn't seem like it was getting any better. There was a 2:1 ratio of teachers in Rowan's class- 4 kids, 2 teachers, and good gawd, they had a run for their money with him! The amount of coaxing that they tried...I tried...Glen tried...
Then, the light went on. Revisit potty training incentives...and gave him a "special package" that he could open if he went the WHOLE swimming lesson without crying. Unbelieveable. It was like he was a whole new kid. 4 weeks and counting (and 4 new engines later...)- not a tear shed, and he's actually asking when it's Tuesday so he can go to swimming lessons.
Today, he did everything his teachers asked him, wore the lifejacket like all the other kiddies, did front float, back float, put his face in the water to dive for rings, and participated in all the games. They told me, with surprise, "I think we are actually going to pass him". (love that they said that with both a question and disbelief tones in their voices!)
I know its flat-out bribery, but it works. And I much prefer to call it reward-based learning.
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