Halloween Safety

Halloween is approaching and we will soon be seeing all the ghosts, goblins, witches roaming the streets. There are a few things to remember when taking your children out trick-or-treating. Some safety tips to remember:
1. Remind your children to NEVER go into a strangers home. Remember to always stay within sight of your children and have them always be looking for you.
2. Remind your children to ALWAYS look both ways before crossing the street. Halloween is very dangerous because many children are in dark costumes and it makes it difficult to be seen. And only cross at a crosswalk or at the corner.
3. Only trick-or-treat to houses with the light on.
4. Remember to say thank you after receiving your goodies.
5. Never trick-or-treat alone. Always have atleast 2 buddies with you. And for the younger children never go without a parent/guardian.
6. Always carry a flashlight.
7. Wait until you get home and check through the candy before eating it.
8. Always have fun!!!

Happy Halloween to ALL!

CPR Classes at Home

Do you ever wonder what you would do if you were at home alone with your children and there was a medical emergency that required you to perform CPR? The answer is simple call 9-1-1 and begin CPR, if necessary. Now what if you aren't CPR certified and have the knowledge to perform CPR? You would wait until 9-1-1 arrives. This could be the difference of life or death for your child. Don't wait become CPR certified today and learn life saving skills. Kidtastics knows it is very difficult for parent's to find the time to take the CPR ceritification classes, but what if Kidtastics brought the CPR class to you, in your own home? Kidtastics is now offering Mobile CPR Classes at your home. Gather your neighbors and schedule a CPR class now. Become prepared to prevent emergencies and save lives. Minimum number of participants 4, Maximum 6. Please call for futher details 480.994.KIDS (5437).

Kidtastics New Van

Kidtastics wants to let everyone know that we have a new van going from location to location. We currently just had our van wrapped, by Bluemedia. We want to thank all of the parents of the children who let us use their adorable pictures on the van. Please be on the lookout for the Kidtastics van to be driving through a neighborhood near you!

Kidtastics Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

This weekend one of Kidtastics partners, Heidi Neuman, participated in the Race for a Cure on Sunday in Phoenix. Heidi has been participating in the Race for a Cure for many years now with her mother Paulette Moynihan because Paulette has been cancer free for the past 7 years. This year Heidi's mother-in-law, Chris Neuman, also participated because she recently found out she had breast cancer. Chris is currently going through treatment and hopes to be cancer free soon. We wish Chris the best on her journey to be cancer free. Kidtastics would also like to say great job to Paulette and Betty Smith (grandmother of Kidtastics partner, Nicole Smith) who have stayed cancer free. Betty Smith has been cancer free for over 20 years. These women have shown a lot of strength and determination to beat the disease. Thank you to all who support "Breast Cancer Awareness."

Halloween Fun and Games

If you are planning a Halloween party for your little goblins and ghosts there are many fun games to keep them entertained. Kidtastics likes to incorporate different Halloween themed games and ideas into their classes the week before Halloween. A fun game that we like to do in many of our classes is to make a haunted house out of a parachute. Have children make a circle and grab the handles of the parachute. Lift the parachute and have children sit on the handles, so that the parachute makes a haunted house. One at a time each child can enter the haunted house and make a scary noise. After that child makes the noise, que the children on the outside to lift the parachute and yell "boo." Repeat until each child has had a turn. This is fun, lets children be imaginative, and takes little work.

If you have a party with older children and want another game we also like the "Grab the Ghost" game. Directions:

-Before the party, make ghosts by draping a piece of paper towel around a small ball, such as a Superball (or in a pinch, a wadded-up paper towel). Cinch the towel around the ball and secure with one end of a 2-foot length of yarn.
-Have guests draw a face on their ghosts with markers.
-At the start of the game, each player is given ten pennies. Choose one person to be the goblin. The other players lay their ghosts on the large paper circle and hold on to the yarn leash. The goblin holds the funnel, upside down, at least 2 feet above the circle.
-The goblin chooses two numbers on a die, announces them to the group, then rolls. If either of the chosen numbers appears, the players try to pull their ghosts out of the circle before the goblin can slam the funnel down over them. If a player is caught, he must give the goblin a penny. If the chosen numbers do not appear, but the players panic and yank their ghosts out of the circle anyway, it's another penny to the goblin. The goblin, for his part, is allowed to fake a funnel slam, but if he touches any ghost, he must shell out a penny to each player. After three rolls of the die, the next player takes over as goblin. Play is over when one player runs out of pennies. The player with the most coins wins.

More information on this game and more games can be found at:
http://familyfun.go.com/playtime/grab-the-ghost-707548/

Charity Event

Kidtastics is hosting a charity event with Scottsdale Adventure Boot Camp to help raise money for Phoenix Children's Hospital. Help us raise money for kids. Come participate in our "Parents & Kids Get Fit" day on September 11th.

We'd like to invite you to participate in a Parent and Child Group Fitness Event for charity. The event is being held on Saturday, September 11th, 2010, from 7:30am to 9:00am at Windgate Ranch in north Scottsdale. Parents can bring their children and both will receive an awesome hour of group exercise! While the parents participate in a one hour boot camp session, the kids will either swim or go inside for gymnastics, dancing, etc. The event is FREE, and any donations collected will be given to Phoenix Children's Hospital. It's a great way to show your kids that fitness is fun!!

If you don't have children, we'd still love to have you attend! Adults are welcome with or without children, so be sure to save the date!

You are welcome to forward this invitation to anyone who might be interested.

Click on the link below to see all the details and to RSVP. We hope to see you all there!
Click here for event details!

After School Activities for your Children

School has begun and you and your children are finally settling into the routine. Now comes the time to pick and choose which after school activities to put your child in. Today many schools offer multiple different programs for the children to choose from. They vary from art, dance, music, spanish, karate, gymnastics, cheerleading, and much more. There are certain things to consider when helping your child find the right one. "Children's interest and activities are as diverse as children themselves." Arizona Parenting, September 2010. By choosing the right program you can help build your child's self-esteem and by choosing the wrong activity can do the opposite. Below is a list of suggestions to remember when finding the right activity or program to suit your child.
- Watch your child play. Consider his/her temperment. Constant physical activity or quieter experiences?
-Strengths and weaknesses. Do they want to perfect those strengths or is there an area of weakness that needs to be improved on?
-Expose him/her to various activities and events. Follow what they like.
-Provide balance of group and individual activities.
-Consider commitment, cost, location before finalizing on an activity.

Kidtastics offers multiple activities throughout the Valley for your children to choose from. We welcome any child/skill level to try one of our classes for FREE. Check our list of classes at www.kidtastics.com!

FALL SCHEDULE

Check out our fall schedule and get your child enrolled now. Our Fall schedule now offers: gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, parent-child classes. And we have several New locations. Check out our site for more information on our Fall Schedule.

Pool Safety Rules

Pool Safety is ALWAYS important. At Kidtastics, we try to make sure our swim kids know all their pool rules. Rules very from home to home, due to physical attributes of the home and the pool. Things like if the pool has a barrier or not, a fence or a net, water fall, diving board, etc... are reasons that each pool requires custom rules and parents need to review the pool rules every time their child enters the water or pool area. Listen to a view of our favorite kids telling Kidtastics the pool rules. So cute!!!

Call us for some addition pool rules your child needs to know. 480-994-KIDS.

Back-to-School Help

After summer break it may be a tough transition to get children back into the school routine, but with some helpful tips you may be able to ease your children a bit easier.

Tips for all Parents:
-Be compassionate. Summer breaks are like vacations. Think about what it’s like for you to make the transition back from a great vacation (yes, it’s not fair that kids get so many more breaks than you do, but try to focus on that tough transition).
-Talk about the value of education. Even if school isn’t always easy, that doesn’t mean that it’s not important. Emphasize how working hard at school helps kids to succeed. Consider using some of the ideas on emphasizing the value of school from What Kids Need to Succeed.
-Even though summer break is over, continue to have fun with your kids. Set aside some time each week to spend having fun together as a family.

Parents with children ages birth to 5
-Keep young children on the same daily routine (if possible) whether they’re going to preschool or not. This helps to keep their energy and moods at an even keel.
-Teach your kids the differences between days. Many get confused as to why they go to child care five days a week and then stay home for two. Take a calendar and have them mark off the days. Consider color-coding the days so that “yellow” days mean preschool or child care and “orange” days mean home days.
-Talk about the importance of “home time” and “school time” so that kids see the value in both (or talk about the importance of “play time” and “work time”).

Parents with children ages 6 to 9
-Help your child look forward to school. Purchase a “lucky pencil” or “lucky folder” for her to keep track of homework. Be enthusiastic about school. Your excitement will often rub off on her.
-Be honest about the fatigue that can happen during the first week back to school after a long break. Encourage your child to take a short nap after school, if needed.
-Talk about the benefits of summer breaks and the benefits of going to school. For example, it’s fun to choose what you want to do during breaks. It’s also exciting to learn new things and meet new kids at school.

Parents with children ages 10 to 15
-Don’t be surprised if you find that your child strongly resists going back to school. That’s normal. Many kids at this age love spending time with friends and would prefer to hang out with them outside of school. At the same time, other kids really look forward to going back to school.
-Help your child name what he likes best about school. Even if it starts out only with lunch and recess, go with that. As the school year progresses, see which subjects begin to interest him.
-Admit that some parts of school are hard. If you didn’t enjoy the junior high or middle school years, say so. But then talk about how much better high school is. That often helps kids to stick with the hard stuff.
Info. taken from:
http://www.parentfurther.com/resources/enewsletter/archive/getting-back-into-school-routine

CPSC Announces Pool and Spa Kids Safety Education Effort

This video outlines the steps that help save lives at the pool or spa. Remember you never know which step will save a life until it does so add as many as possible to your safe pool practices.

This is a great educational video for all adults with or without kids. It's important to be part of your community and help spread the safe pool practices.

If you're family members need swim lesson Kidtastics can help. Contact us 480-994-KIDS

The Importance of CPR Classes

CPR Lessons can be the difference between Life and Death to a loved one. Any person that takes care of children should learn CPR and recertify biannually.

When you take a CPR Course you will learn how to administer CPR to adults, Children, and Infants according to the guidelines established by the American Heart Association.

Unfortunately, when a child drowns first responders such as EMT’s, Paramedics, and Firefighters are the first to begin CPR. Lots of people are unwilling to perform CPR because they are afraid of doing it wrong or hurting the child further. If your boy or girl drowns, every second counts. You must not wait around for paramedics to show up to start CPR. Every minute that goes by reduces the chance of survival. CPR is usually successful when given within the first five minutes after the patient quits breathing. How long will it take for EMT’s to arrive? Five minutes? Ten minutes? If this is your boy or girl, can you afford to not know CPR?

Kidtastics is now offering CPR Class to our parents.

American Heart Association instructor will be offering Adult, Child & Infant CPR. Limited Spots are available. Advance registration required.
$20 per person (certification card included).

Class Location: Windgate Ranch Community Center near DC Ranch
10095 E. Windgate Ranch Road Scottsdale, 85255 (Bell/Loop 101)

Oct 23, Saturday 1-4pm (only 6 spots available)
Oct 28, Thursday 6-9pm (only 6 spots available)
Nov 6, Saturday 1-4pm (only 6 spots available)
Nov 21, Sunday 1-4pm (12 spots available)

Payment is due at the time of scheduling and is nonrefundable.
Kidtastics endorses, but is not affiliated with American Heart Association.

Kidtastics is offering our clients a summer DEAL!

Swimming season is slowly coming to an end as school is about to start. But it's never too late to improve your child's swimming abilities.

Become a follower of our BLOG. And receive $20 off your swim semester if you sign up by July 30th. ** This deal does not apply to current bookings**

SEMESTERS w/availability for booking:
#4: July 19th – July 29th (can be pro-rated for starting late)
#5: August 2nd – August 12th
#6: August 16th – August 26th

Call NOW to book 480-994-KIDS

How to keep kids fit: Here's your chance to ask the experts!

Cardon Children's Medical Center launched a Fit Kid Challenge earlier this summer. Find out more about this great program. This program helps kids eat and exercise health, even during this exhausting summer heat. It's a four-week program that challenges kids to exercise and eat healthy when the hot summer months keep them stuck inside. It also encourages family members to participate. No registration is necessary the challenge continues until September 7th 2010 so join now.

Kidtastics thinks this is a great program. The heat makes us all feel lazy, but being unhealthy and lazy (not exercising or being inactive) in the summer months will mess up your metabolism and make it harder to get back into shape in the winter months. Keep your kids active in any program in doors that helps promote fitness. See Kidtastics Summer Programs for dance and gymnastics classes around the valley.

Seventh Annual “Drowning Impact Awareness Month” - August

Arizona ranks second in the nation for child drownings, and summer months bring increased incidents. So far this year, there have been 12 fatalities in Maricopa County. It's a tragedy that knows no bounds and it is completely preventable.

For the sixth year, the Water Watchers program, led by Phoenix Children's Hospital along with Arizona fire departments and local businesses are recognizing August as Drowning Impact Awareness Month.

Since Drowning Impact Awareness Month first began in August of 2004, more than 125,000 purple ribbons have been distributed. Purple ribbons remind us of the impact of every drowning and near-drowning upon the victim, as well as family members, friends, emergency personnel, and the entire community. Purple ribbons also remind us to take steps to be water-safe in our own neighborhoods.

Purple ribbons are free to the community.
To request purple ribbons, you can e-mail ldieu@phoenixchildrens.com, or pick up purple ribbons at one of these locations:
Phoenix Children's Hospital locations(ribbons on the main campus can be found at the main entrance, emergency department, Emily Center, gift shop, NICU, Community Outreach, Foundation, and cafeteria).

This year, the campaign will include:
*More than 40,000 purple ribbons already distributed to supporters statewide.
*Formal proclamations signed by Governor Brewer and Mayors across the state, many presented at local Council meetings.
*More than 1,153 purple ribbons tied in the trees in front of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, to represent the number of children involved in water related incidents in Maricopa County since January of 2000.
*Banners and signs, donated and produced by SRP Safety Connection, hanging in public safety buildings, libraries, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores, and YMCA’s throughout Maricopa County.
*Involvement, support and educational events from businesses, schools, and the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona.

Why do it?
*To recognize the impact of each drowning and near-drowning on family, friends, emergency personnel, and our community.
*To increase discussion about drowning and share prevention information that can avert future water-related incidents for Valley kids.

What you can do:
*Wear purple awareness ribbons.
*Include water safety information in existing newsletters and marketing information.
*Educate yourself on water safety.
*Incorporate Drowning Impact Awareness into activities throughout August.
*Encourage water safety discussions.
*Spread the word about existing efforts for maximum attention and support.

This information is brought to you by http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/about/spotlight-stories/diam/

Drowning Prevention Segment

Kidtastics is trying to help spread the word about the Safer 3, which helps prevent drowning through education:

1. Safer Water - install, maintain & utilize proper fencing, gates, gate latches, alarms, & other safety equipment around the pool.

2. Safer Kids - employ constant adult supervision and swim skill attainment through on-going qualified instruction. Learn proper behavior in & around the water.

3.Safer Response - learn CPR, first-aid and rescue techniques. Keep an emergency action plan & phone by the pool at all times.

Take a look at this video we found as a great reminder for parents to practice the Safer 3. It's brought to us by I on Safety videos from Orange County California Authority website

If your family wants to be a Safer 3 family then call Kidtastics today for your swimming lesson needs as we teach ages 6 months to 12 years old. Kidtastics also provides Lifeguards for all your pool parties. Kidtastics can help you accomplish a Safer 3 household. 480-994-KIDS (5437) or www.kidtastics.com

Roll over breathing

Sun Protection for Babies and Kids

Here in Arizona, sun safety is a crucial part of our daily routine. But with summer comes more opportunities for you and your child to be in the sun, such as swimming lessons with Kidtastics, camping or boating trips, and cooling off with a refreshing dip in the pool. To ensure your child stays protected from the sun’s rays while enjoying the season’s many outdoor activities, here are some helpful tips:

Babies younger than 1. A new baby’s skin burns more easily, so try to avoid limit exposure (especially direct exposure) until he is 6 months old. Keep his skin covered, even in the shade. It’s OK to use sunscreen if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t keep him out of the sun. Apply the sunscreen to a small area of his back first to make sure there is no irritation, and then apply only to face and hands, and keep the rest of him covered up. When choosing a sunscreen, ensure that it is made for babies (they have less irritants) and have an SPF of at least 30.

Children age 1 year and older. Young children should stay out of the sun as much as possible, but of course that gets harder to accomplish as they get older and more active and independent. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before she goes outside and reapply it every two hours—more often if she goes swimming or is sweating. Be careful not to get sunscreen on the eyelids! As with babies, use a waterproof, broad spectrum sunscreen made for children with a SPF of at least 30.

Spray-on Sunscreen: When it comes to sprays, there aren't any clear guidelines about how much to use; most simply recommended applying "evenly" and "generously" or "liberally." Some say to rub the sunscreen into the skin, while others don't; most also recommend using in well-ventilated areas. All warn to keep the product out of the eyes and not to spray directly on the face. Our recommendation is to read directions on the bottle carefully to ensure you are getting the maximum protection from it.

Don't rely on sunscreen alone. When outdoors, kids should wear a hat with a 3-inch brim or a bill facing forward and a long-sleeved shirt and long pants made from tightly-woven cotton provide smart protection against the sun. Sand and concrete reflect the sun’s rays, increasing the chances of a burn. Most rays make it through a cloud cover and they also travel through water, so an overcast day or staying in the pool doesn’t provide protection. Limit your sun time, and seek shade during the hottest hours of the day.

Other tips:
•Don't spray or rub sunscreen on clothes. Most of the products stained fabrics when applied directly and left for a day.
•Don't use sunscreen after its expiration date because it might have lost its potency. If your sunscreen has no expiration date on the bottle when you buy it, mark one yourself with a permanent marker and throw out after two years.

(Source: consumerreports.org)

The Best Sunscreens for Your Body and Face

Choosing an appropriate sunscreen for you and your family can be a confusing experience, given the number of brands, formulations, and price points out there in the stores. Just as it is important to remember to apply sunscreen diligently, it is also vital that you choose the best product for your purpose and activities outdoors. We found a list compiled by one of our favorite magazines, Real Simple, to help you navigate the isles. They’ve made it easy by breaking down the list to accommodate every sunscreen need, and further by sunscreens for body or face. Many of these can be found at your local drugstore or Sephora (for Korres, Shiseido, and Lancome).

For the Outdoor Athlete
Body - Coppertone Continuous Sport Spray SPF 30, $10
Coat hard-to-reach places with a water-resistant spray that works at any angle.

Dace - Sonya Dakar 365 SPF 30+ Sport, $42
Titanium dioxide and lavender combine in a sweatproof formula.

For the Natural-Product Lover
Body - Nature’s Gate Sundercover SPF 30 for Body, $10
Organic botanicals give an earthy scent to a sunscreen loaded with Parsol 1789.

Face - Korres SPF 30 High Protection Sunscreen Emulsion for Children, $28
Nonchemical ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide make a strong shield.

For the Beachgoer
Body - Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55, $35
This light, nonsticky formulation provides water-resistant coverage

Face - Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 85, $11
Sweatproof and water-resistant, the powder-based lotion won’t leave skin shiny, and its SPF is unbeatable.

For the Whole Family
Body - Aveeno Baby Continuous Sunblock Lotion SPF 55, $11
Antioxidants shield against skin-aging free-radical damage in a quick-absorbing, kid-safe product.

For the Traveler
Body - Kinesys Fragrance-Free SPF 30+ Sunscreen Spray with Parsol 1789, $7
You can slip this one-ounce oil-free spray into even the tiniest clutch.

Face - California Baby SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick, $15
A compact but wide stick of nonirritating sunscreen can cover even large areas.

For the City Slicker
Body - Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion with SPF 15, $9
Protection is a no-brainer when your daily moisturizer has built-in SPF.

Face - Lancôme UV Expert 20, $35
This lightweight protection contains Mexoryl and works well under makeup.

And for an all-around winner, Consumer Reports recently found the spray sunscreen Up & Up Sport Continuous – Target’s in-house brand – to be their “Best Buy” in sunscreen, offering unbeatable protection and value (less that $10 for two 6oz spray bottles.)

Be sure to check out our earlier post for sunscreen application tips for babies and children!

A Summertime Special for Fans of our Blog!

Mention the word "Splash" when signing up for any of our upcoming summer semesters of swim, dance, and gymnastics classes and receive $10 off plus NO enrollment fee - that's a $30 value!

Call us today to enroll, and don't forget to become a follower of the Kidtastics blog for the latest news, tips, and class updates!

Facts About Accidental Drownings – Hot Tubs

We’ve just learned of some very sad news: on June 30, the 2½ year old son of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunnungham died after drowning in the hot tub of the family’s backyard. There are many reports of accidental drownings especially during the summer months; in Phoenix, there have already been 5 fatalities. What you may not hear as often as pool safety is hot tub safety, so we’d like to share some information and drowning prevention tips specific to owners of hot tubs:

•An average of about 17 kids under age 5 drown in spas each year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Approximately 70% of child drownings occur even though one or both parents are nearby, according to the commission.
•Hot tubs pose a number of safety dangers for kids, experts say. To prevent drowning, people should install a fence, gate or barrier around the hot tub area, and keep tubs covered and locked when not in use, according to Nationwide Children's Hospital's Center for Injury Research and Policy in Columbus, Ohio.
•Children should not be allowed in hot tubs at all, the center's experts suggest. That's because children have thinner skins than adults, so they burn more quickly and at lower temperatures. Kids' bodies also heat up three to five times faster than adults', according to Safe Kids USA.
•To prevent falls -- the most common cause of hot tub-related injury, people should place slip-resistant mats around it. People also should cover suction drains with covers that meet new federal standards that took effect in 2008.

(From USA Today)

Kidtastics urges you to read our other posts regarding water safety and ensure that your child develops the skills necessary to stay safe in and around water. If you have yet to sign up for one of our upcoming semesters of swimming lessons, there are still spots available. Please call us at 480-994-KIDS(5437) to enroll.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cunningham family.

Fourth of July – Part Two: Fireworks Safety

Arizona passed a law this May to legalize consumer fireworks (i.e. sparklers, rockets, etc.) The law will take effect December 1st. Until then, at-home use fireworks remain illegal in our state. Click here for the article.

The use of fireworks can lead to severe burns, scars, and horrible disfigurement that can last a lifetime. Even sparklers, which may seem relatively harmless, can reach temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (source: American Academy of Pediatrics) Surely, you wouldn’t want that high of heat near your children’s hands and body!

We urge parents to consider the dangers of fireworks and instead choose to enjoy a fantastic display of fireworks – run by professionals! – at one of the Fourth of July celebrations across the Valley (see previous blog post.)

If you will be in a state where fireworks are legal and do choose to use consumer-use fireworks, please observe the following safety tips from the National Council of Fireworks Safety:

•Use fireworks outdoors only.
•Always have water handy (a hose or bucket).
•Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
•Only use fireworks as intended. Don't try to alter them or combine them.
•Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
•Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a "designated shooter."
•Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you! Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
•Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.

Fourth of July– Part one: Where to catch the fireworks!

Get ready to watch some fireworks! We’ve found the best places in the Valley for you and your family to take in a beautiful night of fireworks to honor our nation’s Independence Day. Not to mention, many of these events have lots of additional fun for the whole family, such as good food, water games, live music and more!

Tempe Town Lake’s celebration is the largest display in Arizona, and if you’re a baseball fan, head out to the Surprise Stadium to take in a game before their fireworks. There are even pre-4th celebrations taking place, such as the Great American Picnic and Fireworks Spectacular at the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa.

Click here for more information

Happy Fourth of July from Kidtastics!

Safety FIRST

Our swimming lessons are meant to be fun, but our deepest commitment is to ensure that children are learning how to stay safe and swim on their own.
Similarly, we want our parents to know the importance of water safety. Drownings often occur because of errors in judgment, such as leaving the pool gates open and leaving a child unattended in the water. There has already been 7 drownings reported in the Phoenix area. We agree with local fire departments in urging parents to keep diligent practices in pool safety (see article http://www.kold.com/global/story.asp?s=12606677).

In addition to basic safety measures, we also recommend that at least one specific adult be designated to monitor children in the pool and REMAIN focused on that specific task ONLY. This is especially important when there are many children present and the adults want to socialize with each other or are being distracted by other tasks.

That’s why in our Swim Fins Fun Pack (given to each child at semester end) you will find a safety whistle for parents. This whistle lets everyone know that you are in charge of the supervision, and if for any reason you need to attend to something else, you will pass off the whistle to another adult. Our hope is that this will help to keep safety in the forefront of parents’ minds while their children are enjoying swimming this summer.

Swim but be safe!

Celebrate Father’s Day Part 3 – It’s BBQ Time!

Splashing in the pool, good food on the grill, the company of friends and family—all reasons why we love summer! This season brings many fun days spent poolside, especially during Father’s Day and Fourth of July, which is just around the corner!

If you are hosting any BBQs and pool celebrations this summer with children in attendance, it is vital that you ensure all your guests are not only having fun, but they are kept safe.

Kidtastics, LLC offers a unique and convenient mobile lifeguard service that comes to the comfort of your own home. We offer competitive pricing and most importantly peace of mind.

Our lifeguards are certified, experienced, insured, responsible, friendly and come prepared in their lifeguard attire, along with rescue tubes and a whistle. Kidtastics’ lifeguards are trained in rescue, ready to help prevent injuries and are there to protect your swimming guests.

Please visit our site http://kidtastics.com/az-lifeguard-services.cfm for booking information.

And before you enjoy ANY poolside fun this summer—whether it is a quick afternoon swim or a festive soirée— we ask that you please learn, enforce and review these important water safety rules with your children:

-No swimming alone
-Only adults unlock the gate
-No running around the pool
-No pushing your friends in the pool or underwater.
-No jumping into shallow water
-Count 1-2-3 1, 2, 3 before jumping in, no matter what age. This will help children know they need to audibly let adults know they are about to go into the water.

Celebrate Father’s Day Part 2 – Local events this weekend!

If you and your children are having a hard time deciding on that perfect Father’s Day gift this year, head out on a day of fun together instead! Time spent with family is a gift in itself.
There are several events happening this weekend in Phoenix to help celebrate our great Dads…

One of our suggestions is the Arizona Science Center (600 E Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85004) which is offering free admission for Dads—and Grandpas!—all day on June 20th. This special event is sponsored by Dixon Golf, and the first 500 dads will receive a coupon booklet for golf products and accessories. So not only is this a wonderful place for your children to engage in a day of learning and interactive fun, but golf-loving Dads will be thrilled. In fact, one of Kidtastics’ partners, Laurie Bentzen, was recently married and hosted a day filled of fun at the Arizona Science Center for her wedding party and guests. Everyone, including the adults, had a fantastic time! Be sure to check out the hurricane exhibit and the wire-line bicycle.
Other great events (include a story time of books honoring Dads and crafts at Barnes and Noble at Desert Ridge, discounted stays at the Montelucia Resort and Spa, and a sports-themed day at the Phoenix Art Museum.)Each can be found at azcentral.com.

Happy Father’s Day!

Celebrate Father’s Day Part 1 - Kid-friendly crafts

A great way for kids of all ages to show their appreciation for Dad is with a homemade gift! They will enjoy creating something special just for Dad and learn the importance of gift-giving as a way to say “thank you.”

Here is a homemade card idea from Martha Stewart that was just too adorable not to share with our Kidtastics Moms…
Father’s Day Cutout Frame

Photo cards are always a great way to showcase photos of your children. Did you know that after your swimming semester at Kidtastics, we will send you under water photos of your children taken during their lessons? So for this Father’s Day – and any day! - what a perfect way to show Dad your child’s accomplishments with this homemade card! He will smile when he sees his little one kicking, diving, and swimming around.

Directions:
1. Cut out a sheet of colorful paper with a width that's divisible by three; ours is 12 inches (the height is 7). Use a ruler to divide width into three equal parts; fold paper at those points. Unfold. Fold left flap over middle (these panels will be card's front), then fold both in half. Draw a half circle (or half square) over outer fold as shown; cut out, cutting through all layers, just outside line.
2. Trim cutouts. Lay one on photo; trace. Cut out photo; glue onto cutout.
3. Glue string between photo and the other cutout (or another photo). Place string in fold of middle flap, positioning photo in hole; glue left flap to middle, trapping string inside. Trim string.

More fun craft ideas: http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/fathers-day-crafts-for-kids

Water safety and drowning prevention

I was reading an article today that was released last month and I think it a great article for all parents to read. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a statement about DROWNING PREVENTION. The article explains that swimming lessons are helpful to prevent drownings, but no matter what age you are you have to be careful around pools and water. Safety should always be considered number one, especially for parents with toddlers. The Doctor in the article summarizes the importance of water safety by saying the following: "Children need to learn to swim," Dr. Weiss said. "But even advanced swimming skills cannot 'drown-proof' a child of any age. Parents must also closely supervise their children around water and know how to perform CPR. A four-sided fence around the pool is essential."

KIDTASTICS believes in the same philosophy as the Doctor. We love teaching children to swim it's rewarding for kids to accomplish new skills, get exercise while having fun, and is an important & valuable skill to have for a lifetime. But this activity, more than others, needs constant supervision. We ask parents, family members, friends, and neighbors to listen and watch for any person in need of assistant in a pool. Help protect our community from future water accidents by listening and watching out for dangerous water situation. If you possibly see or hear someone in water danger (despite if you know them or not) please intervene quickly and politely to find out if your assumption is correct or not. As an Arizona community we need to help protect others from water accidents since our state has always led in the number of water accidents. I hope by sharing this article everyone who reads it will learn something new.

At KIDTASTICS, we are here to help the community prevent water accidents by offering LIFEGUARD SERVICES. We’ll come to your home to help watching children in and around the water so everyone can have a safe and fun time. Contact us at 480-994-KIDS for lifeguards. You can take a look at the article yourself by following the link below: AAP GIVES UPDATED ADVICE ON DROWNING PREVENTION

2010 Swim Season is here!

This summer prepare your child for a safe and fun summer. Make sure your family has discussed possible water hazards and talk to your kids about water safety. If you need help with this we've found a great tool from SRP Electric; a water safety checklist. Kidtastics thinks every family should take water precaution. Swimming lessons are an important part of water safety. Call us at 480-994-KIDS for information about our water safety swim lessons.