BOND, PLAY, AND BUILD WATER CONFIDENCE TOGETHER
Infant, Parent/Child Swim Class at Gaston County Family YMCA
Designed for 6 Months through 3 Years
Bond. Explore. Splash. Start your child’s swim journey today! Introduce your little one to the water with Water Discovery & Exploration Class at the Gaston County Family YMCAs in Mount Holly, NC, Belmont, NC, Gastonia, NC! Designed for infants and toddlers, this engaging and supportive program helps young swimmers build confidence and develop essential water safety skills while enjoying special bonding time with a parent or guardian.
Register For Parent Child Swim Classes Lessons
Water Discovery and Exploration Information
Make a splash together! Our Parent-Child Swim Lessons, Water Discovery & Exploration, provide a joyful and supportive way to introduce infants and toddlers to swimming. With a parent or guardian in the water, children build confidence and develop a love for the water through songs, games, and guided play, laying the foundation for a lifetime of water safety.
Children will learn to:
Adjust to the water through safe entry and exit
Blow bubbles, submerge mouth and nose
Explore floating on front and back with assistance
Practice basic self-rescue skills like “monkey crawl” and wall grabs
Develop body positioning and movement in the water
Caregivers will learn water safety tips and techniques to support their child’s aquatic development both in and out of class. No prior swim experience is needed—just a willingness to have fun and learn together!
Why Choose Swim Classes for Infants?
Why Choose Swim Classes for Infants?
Early exposure to water can help children develop comfort and confidence while teaching critical safety skills. Our infant swim classes provide a fun and structured environment to support early learning and water exploration.
- Builds water confidence and familiarity in a safe setting.
- Encourages parent-child bonding through guided activities.
- Teaches fundamental water safety skills such as floating and breath control.
- Promotes sensory development through gentle movement and play.
- Prepares infants and toddlers for future swim lessons.
Who Can Participate?
The Infant Swim Class is designed for children around 6 months to 3 years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian. No prior swimming experience is required, as classes focus on water adjustment and foundational skills in a playful, supportive environment.
Class Structure & Activities
Each class includes engaging activities to introduce infants and toddlers to the water in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.
- Gentle water acclimation to help children feel comfortable.
- Fun songs and games to encourage movement and coordination.
- Basic floating, kicking, and breath control to build foundational swim skills.
- Parent education on water safety best practices.
Get Started with Parent/Child Swim Lessons
Give your child a positive first experience in the water with our Infant Swim Class in Gaston County. Join us for a fun and rewarding way to introduce your little one to swimming while making lasting memories.
Start your child's swimming journey today at YMCA of Gaston County today!
Available at our Gaston County Family YMCA locations with pools including Stowe Family YMCA in Belmont, NC, and Warlick Family YMCA in Gastonia, NC.
Additional Information
POOL AREA GUIDELINES
The Gaston County Family YMCA is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable pool experience for all. All children aged 15 and under must take a swimming skills assessment. Successful participants earn a green, yellow, or no swim band if they successfully complete the assessment. Swim bands assist our lifeguards in keeping inexperienced swimmers safe.
STAY INFORMED WITH PLAYERSPACE
Updates, highlights, and specific details are sent via email and/or text through a platform called PlayerSpace. Please ensure you register with accurate contact information to receive important program communication. We are as invested as you are in ensuring you get the details you need to make your week run smoothly. If you are not receiving emails, please check your spam or junk filter and make “Playerspace” an approved sender.
OUR STAFF
Every YMCA employee is thoroughly vetted, qualified, caring, and CPR/AED/ First Aid Certified.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial Assistance is available to YMCA Members. We encourage members to complete the simple and confidential online application process. Scholarship funds are raised during our Annual Giving Campaign.
Apply for Financial Assistance
PARENT HANDBOOK
QUESTIONS
Warlick and Cherryville YMCA | Contact Lauri Moore with questions
Stowe YMCA | Contact Stowe Aquatics with questions
